Flint and steel source

Thanks for the link, Hoodoo – that's less than I paid for a striker and tin from DGW, and I like that their flint shards are priced individually. Still, I hate to pay freight on a $1.50 piece of flint. Does anyone have any advice for locating a good sparker in the wild? What sort of stone should I look for? I'm in a volcanic area, if that helps.

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V.
 
Virg,

In New England, I use white quartz. If you have a striker, I suggest just trying out pieces that you find in the wild. If you don't have a striker, I usually knock together a couple of pieces to see if they spark. It is usually a dull spark with stone on stone. Try it at dusk. If that works, try with your steel.

Also, check out a museum to see what the indigenous peoples of your area used.

Do you have petrified wood or flint in your area?

Mike
 
Mike,
We ought to have it in our area; Flagstaff is in the blow of a prehistoric volcano, and there's lots of cinder around; I know there's petrified wood, too, though not real local. We do have a local museum that centers on indigenous peoples of the Colorado plateau, so that should be a good source. thanks

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V.
 
Ahh YES the Log Cabin sports shop... many a hour looking and drooling...
biggrin.gif
Good people who have been here forever... well they aren't THAT old... I want to get up there and buy the blank to build a black powder from "scratch" . Too many toys and too little time...

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If You Abide in Him then,"All His Promises are YES and AMEN"
 
Pet stores.

Yeah, not exactly a source of local material, but they sell jasper and other "pretty" stones that make good companions for flint & steel sets. Prices in my area are around $1.50 per pound for jasper, but no shipping.

Happy hunting!

Mike
 
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