Quick question about flints

[hrayton]

Hi all, up until now I have been using the English 5/8" flints from Track of the Wolf. They spark well, and work all right, maybe 80 percent of the time. So I located a source of flint, gave knapping out a few of my own a try, and I am getting sparks 100 percent of the time now. Which is great! :) My question is however, that I am leaving a lot of flint in the pan after each shot, is this something to worry about? Do I need to knap the striking surface a little thicker than I have been? All are remaining very sharp after each drop of the hammer, in fact they seem to be getting sharper each time, but the edge is just getting more brittle and thinner. Has anyone dealt with this, or do I just not need to worry about it, and stick with what is working? Any comments would be appreciated. THANKS!

[flintboomer]

My guess is that your flints are a little softer that the english ones but the important thing is whether they work. Since they are working better for you than the english flints just carry a spare or two in case the one you are using wears out and don't worry beyond that.

I have used quartz a time or two and it works great for 3-5 shots, but wears down VERY quickly.

[Red Badger]

You might also try Rich Pierce's white flints - I use them and get great results  Rich has contact info posted on the site

[pilgrim]

http://traditionalmuzzleloadingcheap.com/forum/index.php?topic=5721.0;topicseen

[hrayton]

I've thought about trying the rich pierce ones out....and I have heard nothing but good things about them actually. I guess my major concern was the amount of flint chips being left in the pan though and whether or not that was normal or if it has happened to anyone else. It probably is a softer flint than I am used to that I have been using, I have a friend in Ohio that's gonna send me some flint ridge stuff, I have a few arrow heads made out of that material and it seems quite dense, so I will be curious to see how it sparks. Has anyone tried knapping them out of knife river flint?

[Linc]

I haven't tried flint ridge or flint river but I have tried georgetown, edwards plateau, novaculite, san antonio, root beer and a few others that I never knew the names of. They all work to one degree or another. As far as chips in the pan just brush them out and don't worry about it. At least as long as the chips don't get into the touch hole blocking the flash.