Traditions Frizzen - New vs 'Old'

[strato50]

Hey all,
I mentioned in another thread that upon only 10 or so strikes in my new Tradtions Kentucky 50cal, I'm getting significant gouging in my frizzen. At first it was mostly due to my flint striking too low on the frizzen, but even after adjusting it, raising it higher and decreasing the angle of impact I'm still getting significant wear.

I've read here and there that some Traditions frizzens weren't hardened, or simply weren't hardened very well. So I have two questions.

Is it worth it to harden or add a strip of high carbon steel to beef up my current frizzen?

Traditions sells a "new" version frizzen, claiming its harder and generates a better spark. Does anyone know if this will fit my kentucky 50cal (or if it can easily be adjusted)

Thanks!

Old Frizzen

New Frizzen

 

[nkbj]

I just sent their customer service an email to ask if it fits their Deerhunter. Having a spare frizzen for it would be good.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I find it odd that a company would offer a part that costs the customer money, which, when installed, does what the original part failed to do. :shocked2: :hmm:

I don't like the look of the seam on the back of the replacement frizzen. To me that should have been polished out, or should be on the actual part. The face needs to be flat to give the flint the full advantage of its edge.

Having the frizzen "faced" will correct the problem, just understand you are adding some weight to the frizzen itself which might change some of the action if your main spring isn't that strong. Since you are not facing a worn down frizzen, you are then shortening the space between the frizzen and the cock, so may be changing the impact point on the frizzen face, and might need different sized flints or an angle correction when done.

Before you do any of that..., if the original part was of good steel, but not properly hardened, then a rehardening should be your first task at correcting the problem. Try that before you do the rest, I'd suggest.


LD

 

[Kentuckywindage]

if you are the original owner, traditions will replace your frizzen for you.

on my kentucky all i did was heat it cherry red and then put it into motor oil, sparks like a champ now. Some say water cools it faster and makes for better spark... oil worked for me but water quenching may work as good.

 

[nkbj]

I don't have a problem one way or the other. The frizzen on the Deerhunter has worked well with the habit of always going boom. Now to become my fifty smoothie east Texas critter getter when the long barrel arrives. Yeehah!

 

[strato50]

Well, let us know what they say!

The traditions site says they won't take parts in return from outside the USA (booo), but I've yet to email them. Maybe they'll just send me a new one if I'm lucky.

I'm getting good ignition but I've only made the thing go boom 5 times (5 for 5 booms). It's just a pain looking at my frizzen and seeing 3-4 horizontal grooves pounded into it from my flint from different positions I've tried. Still on my first flint but those first 2 or 3 'whacks' took some chunks out of it :td:

My India-made Bess has at least 100 bashes through it at 30 or so shots, and the frizzen looks brand new except for where the flint 'slides'. That thing looks like it'll last forever.

 

[strato50]

Here's what my frizzen looks like after ~20 firings of the lock...

 

[capt_turk]

I would say that frizzen looks to me like it's was not hardened properly. My (Traditions)frizzen has more than 500 shots on it and shows no where near as much gouging.

 

[hanshi]

Way too soft, I'd say.

 

[strato50]

I just spent 5 minutes on the phone with Traditions customer support.

New frizzen is on its way. At least their warranty and customer support is rock solid!

 

[MSW]

glad to hear that they're 'stepping up to the plate.' I agree that your current frizzen is way too soft. Good luck, and make good smoke!

 

[Kentuckywindage]

Yep, soft. Mine looked like that as well. I sanded it mostly smooth and then heated it cherry red and quenched in oil. Sparks like a champ now.