I wanted to start a thread about flints since I know what is best for my rifle and want to know what other peple use. Also, I have seen guys at the range using agats, that don't spark much, and get frustrated. I gave a guy once tat was using an agate one of my english flints and kapow, it worked great.

Do you use Agats, English Flints, and Roundball uses Black English flints?

I'm not sure what the difference is between the english flint and the black english flint, since I've never seen the black flints.

Anyway, let us know your setup..

I have a Traditions Deerhunter, English flints shoot best, Agates poor, Black English??

Tom

IME, agate flints can wear thru the hardening quicker than any other. Could be the frizzens were not hardened deeply enough, as well. I use nothing but English flints now and have never had problems with any of my flinters useing them.

Where do you get them? (English flints)

Mike,

I'm assuming that since you live in Jim Thorpe, PA, you would know were Dickson City is, route 6 off of 81. Anyway, Gander Mountain near the Viemont mall has had them in the past, I would try them. I also get them from my local hardware store in Gouldsboro, Hometown hardware or Hunters Gallery in Hamlin.

Tom

I use 3/4" Tom Fuller hand knapped black english flints...bulk purchase from October Country is the best price I know of...ie: a 50 flint bag of 3/4" flints is in the .70-.75 cents range...I average 40-60 shots per 3/4" BEF in my TC Hawkens...no comparison at all to any agates in reliability, flint life, cost, and traditional looks...speak to owners John and Linda, tell them a guy from North Carolina referred you to them.

Not me......I've been using T/C premium Agate flints on my custom T/C PA Hunter for the last 7 seasons. Frizzen is holding up just fine and my lock looks like a flamethrower when the hammer drops.
I just keep the lock tuned, flint sharp and lined up properly and have at it. My gun goes off QUICK, and I can say with 100% honesty that I have never had a misfire of anykind while hunting and only ONE in all my trips to the range and that was a hangfire because I got lazy and forgot to pick out the touch-hole between multiple shots. Attention to detail goes a long way with these guns.

A neat trick is to get yourself a small spray can of CRC electronic contact cleaner. Before each shot clean the flint and frizzen face with a spray of CRC and wipe with a dry clean patch. It removes ALL residue and accidental finger oils and promotes a terrific hot dry spark.

When i have my lock out of my gun after a good cleaning, when it's set to go it will throw sparks that are almost scary![:-]

I use German jasper cut flints while hunting and english flints most other times. The jasper flints have a sharp striking edge that doesn't flake or chip off.