Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders Sharpening flints?

My flintlock rifle was misfiring (not providing enough spark to ignite the pan). I put a new flint in it to continue my range session and after that it worked flawlessly.<P>How do you sharpen a flintstone? This one is fairly new (less than 100 shots) and needs a new point. Any suggestions?

blammer, I tried it on a regular grindstone and didn't do so hot. A friend took one to a diamond stone and got a faily good edge. Other than that, I'm interested in any other suggestions offered.<BR>7mmbuster

Blammer, Are you using cut flint or English rough? If you got 100 rounds from a cut flint you did very well. I use the English flint and plan to order some French which are supposed to be even better. I bought a sharpener from a flint knapper that is really simple and works great for English type. It is a flat piece of steel approx. 1-1/2in X 2-1/2in with a protrusion on the narrow side that looks like a straight screwdriver tip. This tip is hardened. To use it, you half cock the hammer and flip the frizzen forward(unloaded rifle of course.) Just tap the edge of the flint on the opposite side that you want the chip to come off at about a 45-deg. angle, top or bottom on the face of the flint. Smal flakes will chip off and it is ready to go. If you can't make one or find one, try RMC Sports in Mingoville, PA. If you can't find it, I will be glad to look up the info for you. Rick

It is the kind that come with the Lyman trade rifle and that lyman sells in their little two packs. Cut i guess?

Blammer, The address of RMC Sports is as follows: <A HREF="http://www.rmcsports.com." TARGET=_blank>www.rmcsports.com.</A> You are probably using the cut flints which are ground to a bevel on the ends. My brother uses the German Agate which are cut and they work fine for him. Take a look at the above link and click on flints. You will see the difference in cut and English flint. I did'nt see the tool I purchased listed but a phone call to them would probably get you one. I seem to remember about $ 8.00 but it would be simple to make too. This shop is really into blackpowder and the people are friendly and knowledgeable. Hope this helps. Rick

Gentlemen:You are all off of the beaten path.You sharpen flints on a bench grinder that has a silicon carbide grinding wheel mounted on it. This is the same grinding wheel that you use to sharpen cemented carbide cutting tools for a late or milling machine. I haven't bought a new flint in 20 years. Just turn them around and use the other end. When that end gets dull replace it with a sharpened one. This is a good way to also reshape those those often hard to use knapped flints.<BR><P>------------------<BR>