Can you sharpen old flints?

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11-02-2006, 12:42 AM

dbez1

Thread Starter

Join Date: Oct 2006

Posts: 4

Can you sharpen old flints?

I use Arkansas flints with a bevel on both ends. Does anyone know if it is possible to re-sharpen them? I tried a grider and it won't touch it!

By the way, I have learned alot from you guys on this forum. Thanks!

11-02-2006, 11:51 AM

cayugad

Dominant Buck

Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: Wisconsin

Posts: 21,193

RE: Can you sharpen old flints?

Have you tried a dremel tool witha mizzy wheel. They will shape a flint. I used then to cut all the humpback off the bad flints so they were able to be used easier. I also used them to sharpen flints before I became somewhat good a knapping. Now I just knapp them as I go and when they are finally too small to work, I put them in a little can for some other use when I figure it out.

http://www.jewelrysupply.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&req uest_type=NONSSL&search_in_description=1&k eyword=mizzy

11-02-2006, 02:29 PM

dbez1

Thread Starter

Join Date: Oct 2006

Posts: 4

RE: Can you sharpen old flints?

Thanks cayugad. I'll try the dremmel tool. What is involved with knapping flints? Are they more reliable and is it worth the effort? I have been getting pretty consistent results with the ones I have.

11-02-2006, 02:52 PM

cayugad

Dominant Buck

Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: Wisconsin

Posts: 21,193

RE: Can you sharpen old flints?

the poster Roundball really helped me, among others to learn the art of knapping. And believe me, I am still learning. As you're aware, you get a bigger longer shower of sparks from the sharp edge of the flint then a dull one. When you learn to knapp the edge back on the flint, it resultsin the increase of the life of the flint and also increase the effectivness of the flint.

You do not knapp agates by the way. At least I was told they could not be knapped, but with a dremel tool and a mizzy wheel you can shape them.

11-02-2006, 03:39 PM

MLKeith

Typical Buck

Join Date: Aug 2004

Location: Mesa, Arizona

Posts: 986

RE: Can you sharpen old flints?

I hear you guys talk about Mizzy wheels. I have a couple of dremel tools but the name evades me. Is it just a diamond wheel? I bought a pack of diamond wheels at Harbor Freight Tool and have not tried them on flints as yet. I bought some of the english flints and some do have a pretty big humpback.

11-02-2006, 04:14 PM

cayugad

Dominant Buck

Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: Wisconsin

Posts: 21,193

RE: Can you sharpen old flints?

I am not sure if the diamond wheel and the mizzy wheel are the same thing. I was given a link ages ago about a mizzy wheel for triming flints and have just bought them there. Perhaps someone else knows that answer.

11-02-2006, 10:25 PM

Blown Smoke

Spike

Join Date: Dec 2005

Location: MS

Posts: 79

RE: Can you sharpen old flints?

MLKeith,
Here's a couple links that may help youout.
The diamond wheels come in different shapes and sizes.

Diamond Wheel
http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/PROD/dremel-diamond-wheel-1/BDL34

Mizzy Wheel
http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/PROD/dremel-stone-sic-wheel-1/BBA91

11-03-2006, 09:27 AM

MLKeith

Typical Buck

Join Date: Aug 2004

Location: Mesa, Arizona

Posts: 986

RE: Can you sharpen old flints?

Thanks, Blown Smoke: Nicely done! My diamond wheels that I got from Harbor Freight look like the Mizzy wheel in shape but are not a composition material which the Mizzy wheel looks like. Mine are a steel disk with diamond stuff stuck on it. I guess I will have to try them to see if they will work on the flints. If not this link will definately help.

11-03-2006, 09:31 AM

cayugad

Dominant Buck

Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: Wisconsin

Posts: 21,193

RE: Can you sharpen old flints?

The reason I was told to use the Mizzy wheel is they produce less heat that can cause the flint to become brittle and shatter then when actually used in the rifle.