The two (sorta) flints shown were sent to me years ago by a fellow in Pennsylvania. He wanted me to test and write product reviews on them for Muzzle Blasts and other magazines. Unfortunately, before I got to the project he shut down operations. The one on the right in the pic was designed something like a Zippo lighter. A piece of leather was glued to the frizzen face and this gizzmo-flint was put in the jaws of the hammer. On 'striking' the wheel would turn and produce sparks. The white 'flint' on the left is really manufactured ceramic. I really intend to try it one day. I believe it may actually be a good sparker. Mainly I keep them as curiosities and will stay with regular flints, sawn and knapped.
BTW, the reason he quit operations was that he could not get state game and fish commissions to approve his 'zippo' flint for hunting. And, of course, it would be prohibited under NMLRA rules. So it has little to no practical application.
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BTW, the reason he quit operations was that he could not get state game and fish commissions to approve his 'zippo' flint for hunting. And, of course, it would be prohibited under NMLRA rules. So it has little to no practical application.