[TheForge] Steel for Strikers (flint sources?)

[Bruce Freeman]

Mike,
Is that Wheeler Mtn, VT?
Have you tried working these rocks yourself?  I've been tempted to try "flint knapping" on chuncks of glass, if I can find any such these days.  Glass, though, is Mhos 5 or 6, which is probably to soft for striking sparks.  Flint is Mhos 7.  
I'm wondering about using agate as a "flint".  It's hard enough, but probably doesn't have a conchoidal fracture, so would have to be sharpened by grinding.
Bruce
NJ

>>> bamablacksmith at comcast.net 4/18/2007 8:38 AM >>>
I sent a big rock to someone last year but dont remember who. The primary 
crop in my mothers yard are flint rocks. I dont have them here as I live on 
what was an alluvial plain, but she lives 40 miles north on the side of 
Wheeler Mtn and I think its just one big rock.. her yard is literally 
littered with chunks of flinty rocks.

mike

At 03:18 PM 4/17/2007, you wrote:
>I use 1095. It produces the most consistant sparks.  It isn't cheap unless you
>use old springs.  If you aren't making too many, you could use old car 
>springs.
>If you have access to a junk yard, pick up a bunch of old springs.  I had to
>make a few hundred so I invested in some stock (1/4 x 1/2). It required less
>work than flattening the springs.
>
>BTW:  Anyone know where I can get some flint flakes?  I need a couple of 
>hundred
>to sell with my strikers this summer.  My source dried up and someone on this
>list sent me some a few years back, but I don't remember who....Mike?
>
>Advice anyone?


            Mike Linn
      Artist Blacksmith
         McCalla, AL


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