Making Flints !

[Bigpete]

Sounds like you are making English gun spalls rather than the neatly shaped French gun flints. Both make sparks, the French use less raw flint. Enjoy shooting!

I'm literally just bashing rocks into a rough shape. Ain't following any formula or particular process

 

[excess650]

If I had knappable rock to work with, I would have no aversion to using spalls in my flintlocks.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

I have a bag of flint pieces I use for my little fire kit, and just made my first flint! Not bad for a first effort and about the right size for the rifle I have coming. Cool. Everything about muzzleloading is apparently addictive. You sure need to wear safety glasses doing this though....

 

[SmokepoleSam]

Wear a mask also so you don't inhale any dust or particles of flint. Good luck with the new rifle and we expect a report on how she shoots.

 

[deerstalkert]

i make flints just to occupy my hands when i tire of working on my new build. the creation of anything that goes with Blackpowder is very addictive!!
RR, that almost looks like Chalcedony ? or agate?

 

[Omahkapi'si]

Might be agate? Sharp enough to carve a steak with that's for sure...

 

[flntlokr]

Years ago I use to knap arrows heads. I never knapped a flint for a ML weapon? From what I see flints are shaped and then turned on its side to get the striking angle? Is this how they are made or is the angle shaped first while in the rough? What are the general overall measurements? I am thinking of giving it a try.

Gun flints are made by striking off one end of a flint nodule, then striking off flakes vertically from the flattened end, resulting in fluted sides. Those flakes are discarded. The gunflint flakes are then struck off from between the first flakes (the raised 'flutes), and will be flat topped, with two sharp sides. The gun flints are then struck off of those long flakes in the widths needed. One of the issues of 'The Missouri Archeologist' (sorry, I can't remember the issue) Has an extensive article describing how to do it, and the tools needed. I am pretty sure it can be accessed on line.

 

[deerstalkert]

wife and Dr. wouldn't let me knap for 3 months after being on blood thinners with the kung fu flu.
i snuck out one day and knapped a flint and a point. wife caught me, followed the blood drops!

 

[Rock Home Isle]

So I just got back from a trip down the south-east of South Australia with my better half Jessica for a bit of RnR after resigning from my job of 26 years.
One of the coolest things we found down there was TONNES of flint rock. Everywhere. In piles. So of course,100kg of it came home,and I've just spent the last 3 hours teaching myself how to make gun flints. They're ugly and not made the way they're meant to be,but they sure as hell work ! I'm stoked !

I am Sooooo jealous, words cannot describe….Oh, that is awesome.

 

[Bigpete]

Gun flints are made by striking off one end of a flint nodule, then striking off flakes vertically from the flattened end, resulting in fluted sides. Those flakes are discarded. The gunflint flakes are then struck off from between the first flakes (the raised 'flutes), and will be flat topped, with two sharp sides. The gun flints are then struck off of those long flakes in the widths needed. One of the issues of 'The Missouri Archeologist' (sorry, I can't remember the issue) Has an extensive article describing how to do it, and the tools needed. I am pretty sure it can be accessed on line.

Yes,that's the way you're SUPPOSED to do it lol.
Not how I've done it.....

 

[Omahkapi'si]

I'll be the neighborhood flint butcher I think....

 

[deerstalkert]

takes years of practice. been doing it for years and am still practicing!
many get hung up on the looks. length, width, sharpness, positioning, all matter looks not so much. even ugly girls spark!

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

Making you're own flints is one more step towards self reliance! Good job!

 

[toot]

Years ago I use to knap arrows heads. I never knapped a flint for a ML weapon? From what I see flints are shaped and then turned on its side to get the striking angle? Is this how they are made or is the angle shaped first while in the rough? What are the general overall measurements? I am thinking of giving it a try.

I use broken arrow heads that I find in the local turf fields for gun flints. work great and I am recycling them and the best part they are free for the taking!!

 

[toot]

So I just got back from a trip down the south-east of South Australia with my better half Jessica for a bit of RnR after resigning from my job of 26 years.
One of the coolest things we found down there was TONNES of flint rock. Everywhere. In piles. So of course,100kg of it came home,and I've just spent the last 3 hours teaching myself how to make gun flints. They're ugly and not made the way they're meant to be,but they sure as hell work ! I'm stoked !

show me a picture of one of them finished, thank you.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I have about 20# of broken arrowheads in a cookie tin from my younger (50 years ago) relic hunting days. The bigger ones are perfect to fit in flint lock jaws after being broken to the correct width, I only tried a few but they spark like crazy.

A friend gave me all of his B/P stuff before he died, he had a bunch of flints, probably more than I will use in a lifetime so I haven't resorted to my collection of broken points.

I can make gunflints but don't have access to good local chirt to knap so my gunflint making is on the back burner.

I did make a knapping fixture and hammer just for gun flints.

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

Last summer learning to make gun flints with a knapping hammer and stake.

 

[0for]

Most impressive!

 

[smo]

Eric, I know you don’t need anymore projects, but…

The dark colored ones in the case came from flint picked up at the rock pile fishing area below Wilson Dam..

The original heads were found in the St. Florian local area as well..

I’m sure you’re already aware of these areas..

Nice work Hatchet - Jack …. Thought you were froze too a tree…..

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

Nice work Hatchet - Jack …. Thought you were froze too a tree…..

I thawed out! I'm still looking for that fellar that took my Hawken!!!