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Need some Flint

S

SIXFOOTER

Joined
Jan 18, 2009
Messages
685
I would like to add Flint and Steel Firemaking to my skillset, read all about it, seen the Vids, ok, no problem..
Well, maybe 1 problem...no flint in S Florida. We got sand, coral, palm trees, snow birds and no seeums but no Flint.
Can someone help me out? Be happy to pay shipping and all that, I need enough to make a couple kits for me and the kids.
Thanks
Danny
 
I have tried to get chert {Some folks call it flint } to spark with different metals ,unsuccessfully .
 
I've used alot of different stones, to make a fire with a proper steel. Ofcourse, flint IS probably the easiest, and best known stone to use, but i've used quarts crystals, granite (i think it was) and many others. What you need, is a stone that don't crumble, and gives you a sharp edge when you strike it against another rock.
It's difficult to find flint in Norway too, atleast in the part where i live, so i know this from experience. Just gotta get out there, and bash some rocks with a steel. (Again, make sure you've got a good and hard steel, that will throw sparks.)

Edited to add:
Just to make surei wasn't wrong, i just tried to get sparks with a quarts crystal, and succeeded in lighting some charcloth i have.
So you don't really need flint to get this technique to work.
 
Last edited:
If you were just learning, I would get a kit first. There are several on e-bay. Sharpshooter makes a decent one also available to KSF. Once you are versed with proper materials and have a hardened striker, then you can branch out on other types of rocks you find. Learn your technique with the best materials first.

There are also a bunch of sites with faux, modern knapped, flint arrows that you can buy on the order of $1 - $3 each which make great striking rocks.
 
I bought a kit from blind horse knives, L T is a great guy he showed me how to do it, once I learned I branched out and looked for rocks that would spark( not a lot of flint in my area either) I use quarts too.
 
+1 to what Primitive Man said...

Might be a little expensive in some stores(if they're already shaped) but you can get chunks for a decent price ...
 
www.thegunworks.com

Largest instore and online muzzleloader retailer west of the Mississippi and they have a ton of flint and steel. Nice family owned business from a guy who has BTDT. There are others...www.trackofthewolf.com but Joe is a great guy at the Gun Works and has been active in re-actments and primative.
 
aarya and jean baptiste are also correct. Any stone harder than your steel will throw sparks. Grab an old file from a flea market and test local stones.
 
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