John stone locks?

[kansas_volunteer]

Some flint knappers make objects from broken toilets; arrow heads and such. Some call the ceramic material john stone.

I'm curious, if a pice of john stone will make an arrowhead, why not a rock for a rifle lock. Has anyone ever tried using a piece of broken toilet as a "flint?" If not, is it probable that it could be done?

 

[dlemaster]

I doubt if its hard enough to make a spark, and its had a tendency to crumble on a sharp edge.
Ceramic is made from fired clay and not nearly as dense as flint or chert.

Regards, Dave

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Tried it, didn't do 'chert' for me

 

[bob1961]

Tried it, didn't do 'chert' for me

:shocked2: :rotf: :thumbsup: :v ............bob

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Good one. :grin:

 

[flintlockmdj]

Used to work at a ceramic insulator factory (high voltage wire insulators) tried some broken pieces.
Worked OK but crumbled after a very few shots. Better than nothing but not by much.

 

[Charles D. Prokopp]

Has anyone tried obsidian or glass?

 

[wildeagle]

I've flintknapped for quite a few years(projectile points, knife blades), while obsidian flakes to a very sharp edge it does not take impact well at all. It fractures very easy, that is why knappers like it. Flint, chert, jasper are much tougher, harder to knap but much more durable. I have made arrowheads out of johnnystone and because of it's relative ease in knapping I don't believe it would stand up to the abuse of being used in a flintlock. just my .02 Wild Eagle