Vent pick- just how small?

[James Kopp]

I have this one for my .50 and .45 cal Flintlocks for several years.
Don't know what "size" it comes down to.
But I will say; it is a great vent pick but like another said 'do not use it like a ramrod!"
You only want to clear the vent, not drill the hole larger.

I also carry a few duck feathers as well.

VERY NICE.... love the brush too.. did you make them both? How did you heat the pick ? hand torch.....Love to know and have some guidence.

 

[Mad L]

VERY NICE.... love the brush too.. did you make them both? How did you heat the pick ? hand torch.....Love to know and have some guidence.

A Blacksmith made the nail, I believe he just heated it red in his forge then tapped it out by eye, it appears he filed the very tip.
Look close you will see a slight curve at the end - it does not fit all the into to vent of any of my guns, just tip (1/2 or more of the end curve) goes in, which is all you need when clearing the vent.

The brush I did make; just some Moose beard hair, tied, folded over, then wrapped in buckskin real tight, sewed up and then coated in bee's wax (no glue used). The hair was then trimmed down to size.
Moose hair is pretty stiff and it works good for me.

 

[Tony Rothrock]

I use worn out 1/16th drill bits mounted in short chunks of dowel