How to Nap A Flint

[M. De Land]

One variation of using the frizzen that I was told of and tried involved slightly opening the frizzen so the flint would strike it squarely near the base of the frizzen. You held the frizzen in place with one hand while you pulled the trigger. Theory was, when the flint hit the frizzen square it would create a fresh edge on the flint. Tried it once. Still quicker and easier, at least for me, to use a tool (similar to photograph I put in post #34 above) to refresh my flint.

I don't care for that idea at all. It's a good way to set up fractures in a flint if it doesn't ought right break on you and it's hard on the **** and sear arm. Frizzens are not made to sharpen flint and using them to do so shortens their life to make sparks as metal is being removed at each strike and pull back.

 

[GREENSWLDE]

Hi TOMAHAWK.This OLD DOG is always learning New Tricks. First started re knapping with the Hammer(frizzen) back in the 60's.. Very traditional.. OLD DOG..

 

[GREENSWLDE]

My method of Knapping with the flint in the **** :- Close the Hammer (frizzen).. Slowly ease the flint down onto the face of the hammer and allow the hammer to lift about 1/8". Pull back on the hammer while holding the **** against it. Usually works for me.As you are barely opening the pan their is little chance to an Ignition, BUT ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in the air and down range..Keep moving the flint forwards in the **** as you wear it down. With good Blacks I usually have around 40/50 Shots per flint.. Old SKIN FLINT means Frugal!! OLD DOG..

 

[wilded]

Copper nails work great for knapping a flint or just to put a new edge on one.

 

[M. De Land]

I think one gets the most life of both flint and frizzen face by keeping the edge tuned regularly with a pressure flaker. I know for sure it makes the ignition more consistent. The reasons are pretty obvious as when the edge is even it is making more sparks , the increased area of impact is less stressful on both flint edge and frizzen face and it is far less likely to gouge out the frizzen face. I believe they should be tuned up after every relay in a match and rag wiped after every shot regardless.
Letting the edge go until it stops making sparks requires much more effort to sharpen again as well as putting more stress on the lock components.

 

[SDSmlf]

One variation of using the frizzen that I was told of and tried involved slightly opening the frizzen so the flint would strike it squarely near the base of the frizzen. You held the frizzen in place with one hand while you pulled the trigger. Theory was, when the flint hit the frizzen square it would create a fresh edge on the flint. Tried it once. Still quicker and easier, at least for me, to use a tool (similar to photograph I put in post #34 above) to refresh my flint.

Below is a much better description by Paul Vallandigham of how to knap the flint by letting it strike the frizzen heal. Hard to believe it’s been nearly 8 years since Paul passed.

You can knapp the flint using the frizzen this way:

With the pan empty as well as the barre, for safety, raise the frizzen UP using the inside flesh next to your thumb nail of your fore hand, while holding the hammer( **** back with your strong hand' thumb. when the frizzen is raise enough to allow the edge of the flint to hit the HEEL of the frizzen, STOP.

Now, **** the **** back to full-****. Make sure that your weak thumb is back enough that it won't be cut by the flint.

Holding the frizzen in this slightly raise osition, simply pull the triger to release the hammer. The edge of the flint strikes the heel at a very steep angle, and with enough force to knapp a shard off across the entire width of the frizzen. The Spawl comes off the bottom side of the edge., creating a new, sharp-angled edge that will give you many more shots before becoming dull.

The only thing to do next, is to set the hammer at 1/2-****, then close the frizzen, and look to see how much of a set-back gap there is between your new edge, and the face of the frizzen. If its too much, you will need to move the flint forward in the jaws, bracing the flint and flint rap with some kind of solid wedge--twigs are God's wedges if you don't keep such things in your pouch.

With the repositioned flint, you are ready to shoot again.

I have done this marching in a parade where I could not step out of line to use some kind of table or rest to hold my gun and gear to knapp my flint any other way. It works. :hmm:

 

[Griz44Mag]

OK, I thought about it and decided to try again.
I picked out a flint that is a little too thick and needs the edge straighter.
I picked the finest of the linens and the softest of the pillows.
I will check again in the morning to see if it's nap has helped any.

(Hey - this can't be any less effective of a technique than what I have already tried)

Maybe when I get my small parts vise set back up I will try again.

 

[Tumbledown]

What size balls would you recommend?

I am going with 0.690, though I haven't tried them yet.