Flints, again.

[Adam Helmer]

Today I was shooting my .54 flint Hawken on the backyard range. After a few successful firings with a cut flint, I got a dull thud with no spark. I replaced the cut flint with an English flint and continued firing successfully.

I used a whet stone to put an edge on the dull flint and reinstalled it and got lots of spark for 20 more firings. I read an article a while back about putting a new edge on flints with a whet stone and think I finally got the hang of it.

Who else recycles dull flints with a whet stone? Yes, I read about knapping a new edge, but the art escapes my limited talent in that regard.

Adam

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Adam;
I took all my dull flints and put them to the grinding wheel (both amber & English flints). Haven't had a chance to try them out yet.....and I did it in the spring!:(
However, it did make the job "quick & easy"!

[Adam Helmer]

Mr. 16 gauge,

I like using a whet stone on my dull flints because I get a nice even bevel on the leading edge. Often, when a flint goes dull at the bench, I touch up the edge and restore the flint without taking it out of the hammer jaws.

Adam

[EricH]

Hello,
I thought knaping was hard till the older gents at my local club showed me how easy it is.
At half cock grip gun around trigger gaurd with right hand(if right handed shooter)butt under armpitt. Place index finger under flint and support most of the weight fo the gun on index. place index about even with front of flint. Light raps with knapping hammer at about a 45 deg angle. You will be hitting both the flint and your finger. Walla a sharp flint. The thicker the flint the harder you will have to hit usually.
Give it a try, hope it helps.