Leather vs. Lead setting flints

[Blivetmaker]

I heard that the really spiffy "in-the-know" types
are into wrapping their Flintoids (licensed trademark) replica flint substitutes with Leadrodex (yep, licensed as well) faux-lead jaw Adaptoids (kewl name being disputed in court; soon to be licensed). I've heard that trying things out yerself is totally out. In this day and age it just doesn't seem to make sense to try what works best for you. After all, if you try something and don't get instant success every single time, you're not learning, you're just deviating from the herd. :shocked2: :shake: :grin:

 

[roundball]

And...this just in...on a serious note, I shot a 50 shot range session yesterday with a fresh 3/4" BEF, shot another 50 shot session this morning on the same flint, and all with barely a couple of knapps.

The significance you ask?
TC Flint locks and good quality 1/8" thick flint leathers
:thumbsup:

 

[Blivetmaker]

I on the other hand spent the day at work dreaming of shooting a 50 shot string..

 

[Old Ironsights]

And...this just in...on a serious note, I shot a 50 shot range session yesterday with a fresh 3/4" BEF, shot another 50 shot session this morning on the same flint, and all with barely a couple of knapps.

The significance you ask?
TC Flint locks and good quality 1/8" thick flint leathers
:thumbsup:

I went to the range this morning to finish up the Great powder test and managed to shear off my jaw screw while trying to tighten down on a good quality 1/8" flint leather...

First and only complaint with my TC so far. The screw was obviously not hardened well enough - and, of course, I didn't have a spare.

 

[Stophel]

I've been doing some sparking and shooting with lead wrapped flints. It sparks OK, but not noticeably better than when held in leather. One major detraction I have to offer is that it loosened up in the jaws OFTEN, and I had to keep tightening it up. Leather has always worked fine for me, so I'll just stick with it.

 

[roundball]

"...One major detraction I have to offer is that it loosened up in the jaws OFTEN, and I had to keep tightening it up..."

I've always read that about lead and it makes sense...it's a dead material...no compression / springyness like a good piece of leather...

 

[roundball]

And...this just in...on a serious note, I shot a 50 shot range session yesterday with a fresh 3/4" BEF, shot another 50 shot session this morning on the same flint, and all with barely a couple of knapps.

The significance you ask?
TC Flint locks and good quality 1/8" thick flint leathers
:thumbsup:

I went to the range this morning to finish up the Great powder test and managed to shear off my jaw screw while trying to tighten down on a good quality 1/8" flint leather...

First and only complaint with my TC so far. The screw was obviously not hardened well enough - and, of course, I didn't have a spare.

When I started shooting and hunting Flintlocks I was worried about something just like that...put together a parts-pack for a TC lock that included everything except a new sideplate...and now years later through buying/selling stuff I've set aside a complete spare lock in the range box that goes with me to the range or hunting, etc.

It's good insurance because as long as I have it with me, nothing will happen to the lock I'm using in a rifle...but the day I forget and leave it home...well, you know

 

And...this just in...on a serious note, I shot a 50 shot range session yesterday with a fresh 3/4" BEF, shot another 50 shot session this morning on the same flint, and all with barely a couple of knapps.

The significance you ask?
TC Flint locks and good quality 1/8" thick flint leathers
:thumbsup:

Hmmmm, you usually get 50-60 shots per flint (based on previous posts). This one flint went 100 shots and those results are posted in a thread regarding "lead vs leather wrap" and the 100 shots were accomplished useing leather. So.......for that to be significant, are we to assume that all the 50-60 shot flints were wrapped in lead?

 

And...this just in...on a serious note, I shot a 50 shot range session yesterday with a fresh 3/4" BEF, shot another 50 shot session this morning on the same flint, and all with barely a couple of knapps.

The significance you ask?
TC Flint locks and good quality 1/8" thick flint leathers
:thumbsup:

I have had the same results with a fine flintlock by Chambers, Davis, or Mike Rowe with a good quality 1/16th thick sheet lead and a whole lot less torque on the jaw screw. :blah:

 

[roundball]

And...this just in...on a serious note, I shot a 50 shot range session yesterday with a fresh 3/4" BEF, shot another 50 shot session this morning on the same flint, and all with barely a couple of knapps.

The significance you ask?
TC Flint locks and good quality 1/8" thick flint leathers
:thumbsup:

are we to assume that all the 50-60 shot flints were wrapped in lead?

Good gracious no...my normal average is without doing much to them, then I toss them in a jar of used flints rather than starting to knapp them and bothering to start a new range session with them.

I've run them up into the 80's & 90's before by knapping them a few times but I get flints at such a low price I don't spend a lot of time fiddling with them...essentially I shoot each range session with a new flint, clean the used one when I clean the rifle and toss it in a jar.

I thought that this particular gray colored flint was noteworthy in that it seems to be a slight variant (color) of a normal BEF, and hasn't worn as fast as a typical BEF, is still sparking very strongly, etc.

Personally I don't believe in using lead flint wraps...leather is the real deal as far as I'm personally concerned

 

My experience has been that with any flint and lock combo the lead OR leather works great. BEF are hand knapped and are all different as well as the various flintlock designs that are available today. Which ever works best for that particular flint shape to be secure in the jaws of the particular lock I am shooting that day. We're not talking rocket science here. For the historically correct crowd? Both were used in the 18th c. and I think the Archeological evidence and primary documents sited has already proven that fact.

 

[Old Ironsights]

And...this just in...on a serious note, I shot a 50 shot range session yesterday with a fresh 3/4" BEF, shot another 50 shot session this morning on the same flint, and all with barely a couple of knapps.

The significance you ask?
TC Flint locks and good quality 1/8" thick flint leathers
:thumbsup:

I have had the same results with a fine flintlock by Chambers, Davis, or Mike Rowe with a good quality 1/16th thick sheet lead and a whole lot less torque on the jaw screw. :blah:

Which is exactly what broke mine...

 

[roundball]

And...this just in...on a serious note, I shot a 50 shot range session yesterday with a fresh 3/4" BEF, shot another 50 shot session this morning on the same flint, and all with barely a couple of knapps.

The significance you ask?
TC Flint locks and good quality 1/8" thick flint leathers
:thumbsup:

I have had the same results with a fine flintlock by Chambers, Davis, or Mike Rowe with a good quality 1/16th thick sheet lead and a whole lot less torque on the jaw screw. :blah:

Which is exactly what broke mine...

OIS, you either had a defective screw or really put some mo-jo on it...at 6'4" - 220 I'm not known for being delicate and sheared off my share of smaller machine screws in my early years...but knock on wood, haven't sheared off a jaw screw.

Fresh flints for about 40 range trips + hunting trips per year for a several years is a lot of flint tightening that I've done using leather...I think it's safe to say that leather is not the culprit.

In fact this whole thread is interesting...never had a single problem using flint leathers in over 6000 shots now...4-5 years reading tons of posts on a variety of ML forums like this with never a mention of it, yet out of nowhere some posts here almost make it seem like using leather is akin to the plague or something... :shake:

 

[Old Ironsights]

OIS, you either had a defective screw or really put some mo-jo on it...at 6'4" - 220 I'm not known for being delicate and sheared off my share of smaller machine screws in my early years...but knock on wood, haven't sheared off a jaw screw.

Note: the triangularish dimple below the hole was always there and is not the result of a vice-grip... :hmm: I've only ever used the little torque-bar flint tightening tool in on my "Flintlock Tool Kit" thingy.

Fresh flints for about 40 range trips + hunting trips per year for a several years is a lot of flint tightening that I've done using leather...I think it's safe to say that leather is not the culprit.

Probably not, but then, it is spongier enough for me to not feel the squeeze right.. :winking:

In fact this whole thread is interesting...never had a single problem using flint leathers in over 6000 shots now...4-5 years reading tons of posts on a variety of ML forums like this with never a mention of it, yet out of nowhere some posts here almost make it seem like using leather is akin to the plague or something... :shake:

Since I have used both, with equal effect, depending on the type of flint, I certainly don't think I will get plague from the leather... though you can get anthrax from goat skins... :shocked2:

:hmm:

 

[/quote]
In fact this whole thread is interesting...never had a single problem using flint leathers in over 6000 shots now...4-5 years reading tons of posts on a variety of ML forums like this with never a mention of it, yet out of nowhere some posts here almost make it seem like using leather is akin to the plague or something... :shake: [/quote]


Well, some may have that opinion Roundball, but it certainly is not my impression. I wouldn't say its bad as the plaque. It's just another option of choice for any given shooter to use as he deems necessary. Take time to read all the postings and I think you will have a better idea of the various opinions expressed. Did you read Post #268685 ? That is my main reason for not using the Lead Box on folks. :rotf: Ya miss chunks of conversations. :shake:

 

[musketman]

I see the problem, the screw has a 1:48 inch twist, no wonder it couldn't hold tight...

I am just funnin ya a bit, I mean no harm, just a running gag about the twist, that's all... :v :grin:

 

[Old Ironsights]

I see the problem, the screw has a 1:48 inch twist, no wonder it couldn't hold tight...

:rotf: :blah:

Worse yet, it's metric... (not really)

 

[musketman]

Long thread, please start another if you so desire...