Throwing sparks

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

What is your choice for natural stones to use with a forged spark thrower (steel). I just got one (pics may follow) and the elderly gentleman had a stone he was throwing sparks off of. Just wanted the best "thrower stone" to put together a knapping/ firestarting kit.

As an aside he said they used to mix salt peter, water and sawdust together, let it dry and used that as tinder.

(sorry if this is a repeat thread- I had no luck with search-surprise )

 

[JStrider]

Flint is the best I've used.

I've heard people having pretty good luck with quartz as well

almost any hard stone you can get to break with a sharp edge should do the trick.

 

[ajcz]

i can do better with quartz but i have to knapp it more often

 

[lotoblades]

Most people say flint,but I have more quartz around here and have had good luck with it as well.

 

[lambertiana]

Obsidian works well, too.

 

[beef]

Jasper works, as does quartz (found in abundance here) but flint works the best of all I've tried