old flints

[JohnN]

I have a couple hundred used flints of various sizes. Anyone ever try to make new smaller flints out of the larger ones ?

 

[M. De Land]

Length is usually the deciding factor. If they still have enough the edge can be re-knapped and the flint should be as good as new.
Many of them will need the hump ground off flat as well to work properly.
I used to get many new ones from TOTW that needed some hump grinding to make them work properly .

 

[ohio ramrod]

I have never had much luck knaping flints, but I have "stretched" short ones by adding some JB weld to the back held to shape with popcicle sticks. :idunno:

 

[M. De Land]

I did a short video one time and posted it on how to pressure flake but forgot and used my Yazel flint pistol which was not allowed on this forum.
It got the file 13!
I may redo it with my Kentucky flint pistol if folks are interested and want to see how easy it is to do.

 

[don hepler]

I have been sharpening my used flints with a diamond file and save them for range use. I use a new flint for hunting, and showing-off at club meets, to show how fast my lock is.

Large Siler, plus new flint.....Boooom. Old flint goes Ka..Booom.

 

[Captjoel]

In all of the years that I have been shooting flintlock guns, I have never thrown away a single flint! I toss them into a wooden box in my shop for some future event of reconditioning. That day may never come, but if it does, I have a lot of work awaiting! :hmm:

 

[M. De Land]

You bet, large worn down rifle and musket flints would be great blank fodder for new pistol flints!

 

[Don Steele]

OMG Captjoel...!!!!
So it's not just me..!! :bow:

 

[WKD]

I have a friend who sells them as "battle worn flints" when we are set up as suttlers.

 

[teakmtn]

I just throw them out in the woods, hoping to confuse a future archeologist! The Oregon/California Trail camped in my pasture, which was also used to cut grass hay for the Pony Express. Fun stuff.

 

[Stumpkiller]

I mothball my used flints, too. But I toss mine in an old pickle jar.

Never know what the future holds.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

I never toss em. I can manage to reduce flint by half with either my late English or large siler, and still get them to spark well. I will find some form of use for them after that.

 

[WKD]

Thats called "skinning your flints" which makes you a skinflint

 

[Rifleman1776]

But I toss mine in an old pickle jar.

Very wise. That pickle juice keeps them from rotting.

I have kept hundreds of old flints. Keep them just so my son will be able to throw them out someday. Which he will.