Gun Flints

[Eric Krewson]

Just curious; do any of you guys knap gun flints? I can make them but material to spall a good blade  from is not too common around where I live. Lately I have been experimenting with broken projectile points I found about 50 years ago, some make really good sparking gun flints.



I made a setup like the gunflint knappers of old that works pretty well.

[JEB]

I knap but not gunflints. I have picked them up for guys when I go to the  Flintridge knap in for $1.50 each and have a choice of English or French.  Most ask me to bring back English.

[Chippintuff]

I think Curtis Smith makes them.

WA

[Zuma]

Yikes, don't do the artifacts. Give  them to me, I'll make you more
 flints than you will ever use or send you the material to make them.
Zuma

[Chippintuff]

What is the difference between English and French gun flints?

WA

[Hawkdancer]

The English flint seems to be harder, sharper, and more durable, as well as easier to resharpen.  It was the preferred choice of the mountain men, according to legend, even today!  I was able to make a direct purchase of 500 many years ago, and still have new flints to use, and used ones to re-sharpen.
Hawkdancer

[mullet]

I've made a few. I found that the black Senora sparks real good. And if you have a diamond saw or tile saw you can make them pretty quick and symmetrical.