Which Flints Produce the Best Spark?

[DuncNZ]

I use both Black English flints and Amber French ( Honey ) flints .and find them equally effective . I have used cut Jasper flints and found them to be most excellent , of the knapped flints I think the Black flints are the best because they are less likely to break than the Honey ones and a lot less expensive than the Jasper ones . One thing I have noticed on this forum is when members post pictures of their flintlocks a majority seem to be fitted with a French flint .

 

[oldwood]

French or English w/o problems since 1970.

 

[painter]

The same one. Sadly Rich has retired from the gun flint knapping trade.

That's too bad. I just met him in February at a woods walk/primitive biathlon here in NH. We commiserated over the hands of time.

 

[david w]

There is one thing to note: a knapped English, or French flint can be as sharp as a razor. I cut my thumb being careless.

 

[bud in pa]

I used sawn German flints in my Pedersoli Kentucky, That was my first flintlock. Now I use black English flints in my smooth bore. One thing I learned about cut agate was that it could be sharpened on a diamond sharpener.

 

[bldtrailer]

OK let's get ready to rumble

The longest lasting are the grey texas chert Georgetown, best to pressure flake back sharp, best spark are white Oklahoma but are hard to resharpen . french & english about the same ok but don't last as long

 

[Piquant]

I just ordered a dozen French amber flints To go with a Pennsylvania Dixie rifle that I just ordered from Muzzle-loader.com. Next week is looking good!

 

[deerstalkert]

i use agate when i display my rifles. that way i know no one will inadvertently get one to fire.
for shooting i use my knapped Georgetown flints.

 

[Artificer]

View attachment 131478

LD

Except that was not historically fact until around 1775 and after English Flint Knappers had learned French flint knapping techniques.

Gus

 

[ohio ramrod]

So sad , I found Rich's flints to be the best I ever used,(twice I have been beaten on woods walks by people who had trouble with their flints and I gave them one of Rich's to use)I still have a couple of his left but will be looking for replacements.

 

[toot]

View attachment 131567View attachment 131568View attachment 131570OK let's get ready to rumbleView attachment 131577The longest lasting are the grey texas chert Georgetown, best to pressure flake back sharp, best spark are white Oklahoma but are hard to resharpen . french & english about the same ok but don't last as long

both bevel down.

 

[toot]

I have used AGITE ones. they have worked for me. and they can be rechiped on the edge as with flint ones. they are UBER hard on the frizzens though. as I stated I have used them! not as a rule. I regularly use ENGLISH GRAY flints though as a rule.

 

[SamTex1949]

Interesting ! whats your source for the Texas greys , please ?

The longest lasting are the grey texas chert Georgetown, best to pressure flake back sharp, best spark are white Oklahoma but are hard to resharpen . french & english about the same ok but don't last as long

 

[Eric Bye]

Black English flint always performs well in my guns; still, my favorite flints are the French amber.

 

[LSLibelo]

In the 80's I used the sawn agate that came with the TC kit but learned quickly they had much to be desired.

I currently use commercial Gray English or home knapped chert.

 

[Redcow]

With my Bob Roller lock, I use the sawed, polished agates, nothing else last! For my L&R and Siler locks, I am able to use the black or gray flints with success.

 

[SmeagolClaus]

I'm new-ish to flintlocks but not to muzzleloaders.

Best ignition rock I've used so far is a local stone called Padernal Chert.

I've tride English flints and a few different hand knapped flints from US sources and they work great.

But I kid you not, I've set off the main charge without any priming powder before using the above chert. Not sure if this is a common occurrence, but it hasn't happened with any other flint yet.

 

[david w]

I'm new-ish to flintlocks but not to muzzleloaders.

Best ignition rock I've used so far is a local stone called Padernal Chert.

I've tride English flints and a few different hand knapped flints from US sources and they work great.

But I kid you not, I've set off the main charge without any priming powder before using the above chert. Not sure if this is a common occurrence, but it hasn't happened with any other flint yet.

It is possible for a spark to enter through the touch hole and set off the main charge, with any flint.

 

[Doc]

Asking that question undoubtedly will produce the most and best sparks.
Actually, the best spark is achieved through a combination of good lock, properly hardened frizzen and a good rock. Decried by some but I have used German sawn flints for decades. They sparked very well for me in a Pete Allen Siler lock and did quite well in others. They also lasted a long-long time. No doubt English black are excellent, I have used them much without complaint.

 

[Penske]

At risk of being a wise guy. What flint sparks best? The one that sparks alot!