[TheForge] Steel for Strikers (flint sources?)

[Mike Linn]

Thats Wheeler Mtn, AL, and yes this rock is more agate than flint but a 
good sharp chunk will shower sparks.

mike




At 08:29 AM 4/18/2007, you wrote:
>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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            Mike Linn
      Artist Blacksmith
         McCalla, AL


______________________________________________________________________

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how
   close they were to success when they gave up. "
   ~ Thomas A. Edison
______________________________________________________________________