leather on the flint?

[lakota]

I have a really dumb question-when putting leather on the flint it it best to put the smooth side or the rough side against the flint?

 

[Flint311]

I've always used the rough side. Not sure why. Just be sure the leather/flint combo is in there tight.

 

[saber]

I use rough side in and cut back of leather so it fits around the screw and I also knoch out the back of my flints u-shap cut with a steel chainsaw bit for sharpening on the dremal so all fit well

 

[lakota]

I was using lead wrap but my flint broke in half and I am wondering if the lead may have been part of the cause.

 

I was using lead wrap but my flint broke in half and I am wondering if the lead may have been part of the cause.

Here we go! :grin:

 

[buzz]

i buy an old soft leather belt
its about 1" wide cut it cross wise to the flints width each of my smokers takes different size flint
never had to replace a leather yet

 

[Vaino]

I've used tongues from old leather shoes through the years and after cutting a hole at the bend, super glue the flint and leather together.....Fred

 

[ebiggs1]

I don’t think the lead wrap was the cause of your flint breaking. I have seen broken flints using leather, too. I gave lead a good try and it works just fine but it is more difficult to use so I stick with leather.

 

[J.D.]

I think using leather that is thick enough is more of an issue that smooth or rough side out.

IMHO, the same goes with a lead wrap. IMHO, most folks use a too thin piece of lead.

God bless

 

[BigDogg]

I put the rough side against the flint. I supppose if it was a real issue, you could rough up the smooth side with some sandpaper and have a rough side against each. Might grip even tighter that way. I like the idea about using some old shoe tongues for flint leathers. I'm gonna have to slice up some old work boots. :thumbsup:

 

[paulvallandigham]

The purpose of wrapping a flint is to help the Jaws HOLD ONTO the piece of flint. For that reason, Most of us who used leather put the rough, or unfinished side against the flint, leaving the smooth side against the metal jaws.

You certainly can try it both ways, and see what works best with your lock, and the leather you are using. There is NO IMMEDIATE trip to PC purgatory if you put the finished side against the flint. Some shooters actually glue the leather to the flint, to insure that the flint does not move out of the jaws during impact.

Broken flints are due mainly to: A. Flaws in the flint themselves; and B. to having a lock that has the point of Impact of the flint on the frizzen at too "square" an angle.

The optimum angle of Impact is 60 degrees. The flint should strike the face of the frizzen NO HIGHER than 2/3 of the distance from the bottom of the frizzen. when it strikes higher than his, the Angle of Impact is almost always wrong, giving short flint life, and gouging the face of the frizzen over time.

 

[mmahlock]

The leather I use for flints has been split so there is no smooth side. Interesting question though.

 

[Zonie]

To all:

A source for leather could be as simple as buying yourself a nice new leather belt to replace your worn one. That way, your "significant other" will think you've finally started taking an interest in your appearance.

What she won't know is that you bought a belt that is one size larger than what you normally buy.
You then took a razor blade and cut off the extra length and dyed the cut edge with some black shoe polish.

The cut off length of leather will provide many leather wraps for your flints and your significant other is happy!
What more could you want?

 

[ohio ramrod]

Yep! Some people have used lead wraps and swear by them. Myself I am one of those who swear at them. :hmm:

 

[mmahlock]

:rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: Good one hadn't thought of that. :shocked2: :shocked2: :shocked2:

 

The cut off length of leather will provide many leather wraps for your flints,,

Or, use the "old worn belt" and have a lifetime supply of wraps for you and your friends? :grin:

 

[Emet Huntsman]

I use the rough side in to hold the flint. Per another thread in here, my lock has nice "teeth" to hold the leather so I figure I'll get a slightly better grip with smooth side out.

 

[brewyak]

I use leather with the rough side towards the flint. I have talked to some guys that use both lead and the leather and make a sort of sandwich. I haven't tried that yet

 

[Gotspark]

The cut off length of leather will provide many leather wraps for your flints,,

Or, use the "old worn belt" and have a lifetime supply of wraps for you and your friends? :grin:

Or,get a leather jacket at a yard sale w/ a stain on it for two dollars. You can do alot w/ that much leather :v

 

[franky4me]

Fer what I've learned over the years, lead is OK on BIG locks like muskets. for smaler locks lead is too tough on flints and they break easy. leather is much better on most locks, ...what side depends on what color :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: is the leather