Agate Flints

[RobertSubnet]

Greetings all. Have any of you used agate flints? If so, what was your impression? Do they last longer/spark better/more reliablythan the traditional black English flints?

Ihave thought about giving them a try, but they seem to be pretty expensive when compared to the BEFs. Are they worth it? I am not so much the traditionalist that I wouldn't be willing to use them on occasion.

Thank you for your comments.

~Robert

[frontier gander]

they never worked good for me and would break into pieces.

[cayugad]

ORIGINAL: RobertSubnet

Greetings all. Have any of you used agate flints? If so, what was your impression? Do they last longer/spark better/more reliablythan the traditional black English flints?

Ihave thought about giving them a try, but they seem to be pretty expensive when compared to the BEFs. Are they worth it? I am not so much the traditionalist that I wouldn't be willing to use them on occasion.

Thank you for your comments.

~Robert

Unlike Frontier Gander, my Lyman Trade Rifle came with an Agate. I could not believe the number of shots I got off that thing. Big long sparks, nice and hot, and all joking aside, I got over 40 shots off one flint side and about the same off the other side. I was so impressed I bought a couple more and they worked just as good as the first one... UNTIL I put the last remaining agate flint in my Thompson Center Hawkins. It should be pointed out his had the old style hammer (until Roundball was nice enough to point that out and we had T/C change that to the new hammer) and that agate lasted maybe 20 shots each side.

Are they more reliable then the Thomas Fuller Black English flints? I would say no. As long as that flint has a sharp edge and is wiped clean of fowling it will cause a spark in 99% of the cases. I like the black English flints, the French Amber flints are also very good, but very expensive and not work the additional cost IMO.

If you have never used an agate, then I would say give a two pack a try. Its only money.

[RobertSubnet]

My last shooting session was with Tom Fuller black English flints that I got from October Country-they are great.

Maybe just for grins I'll try a couple of agates. Like you said Cayugad, its only money!

~Robert

[gleason.chapman]

ORIGINAL: RobertSubnet

Greetings all. Have any of you used agate flints? If so, what was your impression? Do they last longer/spark better/more reliablythan the traditional black English flints?

Ihave thought about giving them a try, but they seem to be pretty expensive when compared to the BEFs. Are they worth it? I am not so much the traditionalist that I wouldn't be willing to use them on occasion.

Thank you for your comments.

~Robert

I have used the aggregate, bought them on ebay like 10 for $10, they are not as good as english flints, too soft or break edges easily. Also something that helped me was I read an article on chuckhawks.com about FL useage, they recommend instead of the leather that holds the flint to pound out a ball and wrap it around the flint and insert into the hammer. I did that and it helps big time, when you strike the frizzen, the flint sparks the frizzen instead of being driven back into the hammer. I will find the article and post. But it doubles the life of the flints. Chap Gleason