Knapping a flint

[ol vern]

If you will watch the arrowhead knapping videos until the knapper gets to the edge shaping part--that technique is what you want to copy. I use a tine from a deer antler, pressing the tip of the tine into the edge of the flint with a substantial amount of pressure and then, while holding that inward pressure, press down. A small flake will pop off the bottom of the flint. Repeat across the edge of the flint.

Yes, should work. But I would not reccomend doing that with the flint held in the jaws of the cock. Would be waaayyyy too easy to damage the lock with pressure on the sear. Do at the work bench.

I am with you, much easer to change out the flint with a fresh on
and knap the dull one at home.

 

[azmntman]

I am NOT a flintlock expert by any means. But? Isn't a properly tuned lock supposed to kinda self knapp?

 

[M. De Land]

No!

 

[azmntman]

Mine dont, but I "read that" somewhere. I played with it a bit after watching yer video back when you posted first time and it went well, I'm confident I could keep a rifle going in the woods for awhile. Start slow and finise it VS a big ol hammer. I used back of knife myself,will watch it again.

 

[M. De Land]

If I could get photobucket to do as it is supposed to the video covers how to support the cock while pressure flaking. You back the flint with a pop cycle stick and your pointer finger of the opposite hand for full support against flaking pressure.
Also a sharp pointed copper pressure flaker will make smaller flakes and do it more accurately and easily than will and antler tine. I have used both.
In a match you can tune up the flint between relays with this method and maintain a real consistent ignition.
Wonder if I post the stag grip if the video will come up. They seem to have switched places at photobucket.

 

[timothy prouty]

Was that your sharp

 

[M. De Land]

I don't understand the question.

 

[timothy prouty]

WELL in the Photobucket you got pics of a gun that's is being work on so if to is go to my private topic we can talk about the rifle

 

[stubshaft]

I've used the knapping awl with the flint in the frizzen and used the frizzen method too. Nowadays I just take the flint off and change it or use a coarse diamond stone to reshape it. Th diamond stone makes short work of it and I have resurrected many flints that I would normally throw away.

 

[chuck-ia]

I just use the top of my brass primer to gently knap the edge of the flint while in the cock. Or, as mentioned use a pocket knife, (although it will scratch the knife. chuck