Where do you guys get your flints? (In America)

[Eterry]

Like the title says...I've bought a few from track, and a dozen french amber online, but I'm looking for better prices. A local source has some but they are very "skinny" compared to what track offers and I'm concerned they wont last long. I have a large Siler and a Queen Anne lock.

And please don't tell me you dig up chert from your front yard and make your own, unless you have some for sale.
I don't want this thread to end up a discussion on how to make them.

 

[Griz44Mag]

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/vendor-heritage-products-flints.114598/

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/vendor-heritage-products-flints.114598/

See this.

 

[Griz44Mag]

i do like theses flints, the Amber ones are very good.

 

[Eterry]

Thanks Griz, I ordered my french amber from Stonewall Creek outfitters; I have no complaints...but growing up poor causes you to shop around.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/vendor-heritage-products-flints.114598/

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/vendor-heritage-products-flints.114598/

See this.

Thanks for the Heritage links. I have been buying from English flints from Track but I have not been all that happy with the flints. When a struck from the core, a flint blade ( from which the individual gun flints are made ) has a knife edge. The gun flints received recently have been retouched by pressure flaking and seem to have a shorter use life as compared to the knife edge type.

 

[Sidney Smith]

Like others I buy them from Track of the Wolf. I also try to buy some when I go to Dixon's gun makers fair in Kempton PA. There's always a guy selling them there. I like being able to hand pick flints. I have sent some of Tracks flints back for being to badly mishapen or in one case not the size I had ordered.

 

[FishDFly]

Log Cabin and Heritage.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I have sent some of Tracks flints back for being to badly mishapen or in one case not the size I had ordered.

Interesting. They would not accept returns from me.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Interesting. They would not accept returns from me.

I got some flints from TOTW that were less that acceptable, but at the time I did not know enough to know they were not as they should be. I was getting 10 or 12 shots from them. Since I only bought a few, I did not attempt to return anything. Since receiving the flints from Heritage, I know just how good a good flint experience can be. I am getting 20-30 shots from a flint before knapping, and they are still going strong. I do still buy from Track and have no beef with them. All other merchandise and supplies I have received have been as advertised and of good quality. I have been collecting rocks and intend to try my hand at making my own.

 

[shane a gress]

Most of the flints I have bought through the years have been the white PA cut flints. I got them at Fort Chambers in Chambersburg PA. They seem to work well and I get good life out of them.

 

[Eddie2002]

I picked up about 20 lbs of a yellow flinty chert at a rendezvous about six years ago. It's all in chunks and pieces but still produced usable flints that work as well as any store bought ones. They aren't pretty but they spark a good 35 times before needing dressing or pressure flaking. Haven't found a source to buy reliable flints from so went it the hard way.

 

[Sidney Smith]

Interesting. They would not accept returns from me.

They did from me. I ordered 3/4 X 7/8 whatever numbwr or letter they were on the site and they came 3/4 square or two short to fit my siler lock. Their mistake and they made good by refunding my money to my account,

I mis spoke on my other post. I have not sent any misshapen ones back but will if they are too badly made to use. I have gotten several from Track that had I the chance to look them over would have never picked them. Again that's the downside to ordering sight unseen.

 

[rich pierce]

I make mine.

 

[FishDFly]

I make mine.

Yep, and yours are as good as they come.

I have some of yours that I keep back for matches and practice with others. Fellow at Friendship who you know, was looking at my pistol and he saw the flint and said Rich Pierce flint.

 

[hanshi]

I dig up chert from my front yard and...just messing with you.

I've bought flints from most of the sources mentioned in the preceding posts, as well as from a couple of sources I can't even remember. Back when Rich Pierce was selling his white Mo. flints I ordered a good supply and still have some left. Most flints, white, black and amber, work very well and have a good lifespan. Occasionally one will be a dud. But I've also had the rare ones that gave 100 shots without knapping.

 

[JCB]

RE Davis. There the same English flints Track sells. There a little cheaper if you buy them by the dozen. You can order them but I usually get them when I see him at and event, I can pick my own that way. Not sure were your located but I’ve seen him at The Sons of Liberty trade fair in Jackson Oh, Dixon’s gun makers fair last summer and I’m sure he probably goes to Friendship. I feel it’s better to buy them in person but I’ve never had problems with the ones I’ve ordered from Davis or Track.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I go to large market fairs with several different folks offering flints for sale. Kalamazoo and Fort Frederick Market Fair are good places, and some of the largest British Brigade reenactments are good places to looks too. I don't like buying them sight unseen. Now for those who are simply too far away from such shows, you might be able to find somebody who is attending and get them to get you some flints. I'd suggest you put a couple of flints that you have of your dwindling supply, on a copying machine, and photo copy it so there's no confusion as to what width and length you want. I've also never had luck with French "blonde" flints. Good, dark grey, English flint for me, thank you very much. Sawn flints from TC or now Traditions, are "right-out" too. I keep mine in a mason jar of water, in the fridge. In the water I was told helps them last longer when used...haven't any anecdotal evidence to support that so I guess I'm superstitious, but keeping that jar in the door to the fridge does keep folks from messing with it if I would store it on the shelf in the basement.

LD

 

[Eterry]

I make mine.

Rich, I've heard nothing but good about your flints. I'd like to get a cpl dozen if you want to part with them.

 

[Atticus69]

Like the title says...I've bought a few from track, and a dozen french amber online, but I'm looking for better prices. A local source has some but they are very "skinny" compared to what track offers and I'm concerned they wont last long. I have a large Siler and a Queen Anne lock.

And please don't tell me you dig up chert from your front yard and make your own, unless you have some for sale.
I don't want this thread to end up a discussion on how to make them.

I have recently gotten nice flints from Mike Lea in Columbus, OH. He is a BP gunsmith and is online as Mike Lea and Daughter

 

[rich pierce]

Wrapped up making flints a few years ago. Fun but didn’t leave me time for anything else.