Best flints

[Ironhand]

Looking to buy some flints so I am just wondering, what do you guys think is the best type of flint and where can I find them?

IronHand

[amm1851]

For my money,  the best are Tom Fuller's black English flints, available at Track of the Wolf. The price is not too bad if you buy them by the dozen.

[rollingb]

I agree with amm1851. 

[Maven]

Neolithics Flintknapping Supply and Stonewall Creek Outfitters are also worth a look/comparison shopping.

[Ohio Joe]

Tom Fuller's black English flints is what I use. I like 'em! 

[Roaddog]

ome more for Fuller's

[Uncle Russ]

Neolithics Flintknapping Supply and Stonewall Creek Outfitters are also worth a look/comparison shopping.

Maven, when looking at those websites you provided, a little something came to mind.
I prefer the "flat-top" flints and have always made mine using a "Mittzie Wheel" on a dremel tool.
On the web sites you provided the flat-tops are actually pictured.

Not that long ago, Ohio Joe informed me you can easily get flat-tops when ordering from TOTW by simply noting your preference.....something I had never realized before.

Also, a few months back I came across a bag of flints in my shop that I had long forgotten about.
I found 43 new flints that came about because TMA once made a "group buy" and, if memory serves me right, I bought five dozen....it was such a great deal I thought I better get all I might need for a while,  of course that's the very same reason Wal-Mart sends people out to greet me when they see me coming, they know I'm an easy mark.

However,  all the flints were peaked, not flat-top, so I suspect I will have to continue using my dremel and Mitizie Wheel until those are gone.

Thanks for sharing that information.

Uncle Russ...

[RobD]

gun flints are at least a bit subjective.  there are to basic types, "common" and "fine".  a common gun flint is typically thick and a pair of beveled edges where at least one slopes less and is used for the cutting edge against a hammer steel.  sometimes the other steeper bevel can be used to spark as well.  the fine gun flint is thin, with one almost knife-like low sloping cutting edge.  some say that a fine gun flint is more fragile and won't last as long as a common gun flint because it's not as robust a build, but boy do fine gun flints spark a big bunch ... it'll take a fine gun flint any day.  TOTW sells black english flints, which i prefer, and as mentioned are called "tom fuller flints" ... last i heard, tom fuller has passed but his name carries on.

i'm a terrible gun flint knapper, but i did manage to flake off a fine gun flint of georgetown, texas, chert that i stuck in a lyman trade rifle, and she do spark mighty nice ...

[Hanshi]

I also use mostly Fuller flints from TOTW.  But still have some of Rich Pierce's white flints.  There's a good handful of mixed flints from a 5 lb bag I bought with a friend a good while back.  They were very old and from a recently found cache.  Most were huge flints for larger locks than we're use to.  There were broken pieces that were perfect for the early English and large Siler locks.  A lot of them were amber French flints and they are very good.  Most of the flints seem to last a long time.  The huge ones could be cut in half and make two nice rifle flints.  I have a couple of guns right now with those flints installed.

I, too, didn't know you could specify flat top flints from TOTW; but I do now.

[Two Steps]

Thanks Hanshi...I've been trying since yesterday to remember Rich's name  I too use mostly Tom Fuller English flints, but I still have some left from Rich.  I use them mostly in a .40 pistol.  Rich was a great guy to deal with...
Al

[Ohio Joe]

Al, I have used Rich's flints and also have some left. Last I talked with Rich, he wasn't making flints anymore - though he told me that if I was really in need, he get me some. So maybe he's doing them again? I don't know? 

[Hank in WV]

They've been my favorites for quite a few years. Last I heard, he's quit making them.

[Ironhand]

RussB said
"Not that long ago, Ohio Joe informed me you can easily get flat-tops when ordering from TOTW by simply noting your preference.....something I had never realized before. "

Russ how do you do that? I went to the site but I could not find how to select flat top flints.

Thanks
IronHand

[Ohio Joe]

RussB said
"Not that long ago, Ohio Joe informed me you can easily get flat-tops when ordering from TOTW by simply noting your preference.....something I had never realized before. "

Russ how do you do that? I went to the site but I could not find how to select flat top flints.

Thanks
IronHand

Not Russ, but I can answer this...

At the end of your transaction there is a comment box. Just type in "I would prefer Flat Top Flints" Thanks!

-or-

If you're ordering by mail with check or money order, just drop them a note along with your order.

[AxelP]

I too prefer flat top flints and have used the usual black english flints, as well as french amber flints, and even the white chert flints with satisfactory results. If I had to choose one style, I'd probably choose the french amber. Black english come in a close second.

K