Newbie question: How do I sharpen the flint?

[ebiggs1]

It should be an "un-natural" act to use sawn "flints" in a Siler lock.

We will let the folks decide, which is better.

 

[Robby]

Legionnaire, I refresh it right on the gun like a few others have explained here. These pictures may help. I place my finger FIRMLY under the flint and gently tap along the edge of the flint. The angle that your hammer approaches the flint determines how thick the shard will be, its a fast learning curve, you'll figure that out. Sometimes there will be a fairly thick shiney spot on the edge of the flint and requires a little more aggressive tapping, but it will eventually flake off. Keep it pointed down range, loaded or not, it just makes your fellow shooters rest a little more easy :grin: , and if it is loaded, you can lay some buckskin over the pan isolating it, but to date, I have never had a spark, but I don't wale away at it either. Good luck!!

Robby

 

[Rifleman1776]

It should be an "un-natural" act to use sawn "flints" in a Siler lock.

We will let the folks decide, which is better.

Touche'

 

[tg]

"Granted, they were probably only found in fine presentation grade firearms '

yes and so were ventliners and and other things that were seldom if ever seen on American guns, go with the knapped flints/spalls and modern cutting and grinding methods stray away from the urge to stretch history to fit an item and enjoy the period experience and step away from the wannabe crowd, dare to delve into history and put some distance between you and the present.

 

[rich pierce]

Preach it, my friend! :thumbsup: I like a man who isn't blown this way and that, willy nilly, by the winds that whisper or even howl, "Coulda been!"

 

[HOGGHEAD]

Here you go. Tom.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgMslaTuOQo