Making Flints !

[Bigpete]

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 !

 

[BillKilgore]

Nice retirement gift.

 

[Bnewberry]

Making flints or arrowheads etc. is fun and not a bad skill to develop.

 

[Mtman725]

That will work.

 

[excess650]

Goodonya mate! I WISH there was good, knappable rock here.

 

[user 34295]

Something I've always fancied having a go at but somehow never got around to. What did you use to knap them with?

 

[LME]

Making flints or arrowheads etc. is fun and not a bad skill to develop.

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.

 

[user 49399]

Oh boy! Now you’ve went and done it!
Be warned, it’s addictive.

 

[LME]

View attachment 124648Oh boy! Now you’ve went and done it!
Be warned, it’s addictive.

Thanks for the warning! LOL!

 

[user 49399]

My wife commented the other day about all the pieces of flint I had waiting to be finished laying around in the barn. I didn’t think a couple hundred was too many. Go figure.

 

[hinamanra]

Nice.. If the **** jaws holds them and they make good spark then they're the prettiest flints around.

 

[Compressorguy]

Awesome job! Next we’ll hear you're making powder!

 

[Bigpete]

Nice retirement gift.

I only wish I was retired. I'm still only 44

 

[Bigpete]

Making flints or arrowheads etc. is fun and not a bad skill to develop.

So far I'm exceedingly good at turning a big rock into thousands of tiny little useless rocks lol

 

[Bigpete]

Goodonya mate! I WISH there was good, knappable rock here.

These are 4 hours away,but at least they're within driving distance.

 

[Bigpete]

Something I've always fancied having a go at but somehow never got around to. What did you use to knap them with?

I used a ball pein hammer,a couple of rocks,a small flat head screw driver,and a pair of pliers. I have in the past used just an antler tine,rocks,and a little copper pressure flaker but I seem to have misplaced them.....

 

[Bigpete]

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.

Will Lord has made a few videos on the process. Don't worry,none of mine are made that way,more like bash and hope I can do something with the pieces !

 

[Bigpete]

Awesome job! Next we’ll hear you're making powder!

I wish I could legally

 

[Coot]

Will Lord has made a few videos on the process. Don't worry,none of mine are made that way,more like bash and hope I can do something with the pieces !

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!

 

[user 34295]

I used a ball pein hammer,a couple of rocks,a small flat head screw driver,and a pair of pliers. I have in the past used just an antler tine,rocks,and a little copper pressure flaker but I seem to have misplaced them.....

OK so that doesn't leave me any excuses so I'm going to have to give this flint thing a go.