Total greenhorn question, but here goes...

[bones92]

Supposedly you can use pliers to knap a fresh sharp edge. You just nip the edge and the result is a sharp blade.

[Daryl]

I use the bottom of the frizzen, most times.  Let the cock down until the bottom of the frizzen is in contact, then push dodwn on the frizzen - Englihs flints are easily knapped this way - not so the river rocks as they are way harder.- bot if only a small round spot is bothering the spark, it can generally be chipped off usng the bottom of the frizzen - sometimes on Rich's flints, always with English flints. Rich's flints spark better for me, though.

[Molly]

"A knapped flint will be sharper than any filed edge flint."

Sorry Bob.  I have some fresh knapped ones and some I reworked today.  I don't know if the ones I reworked are as good for shooting as the knapped ones but they are much much sharper.  I think part of the dilemma with the diamond "file" is to keep from creating a bevel within the edge.  Maybe some photos will help explain that. But I'm telling you the sharpness of the filed flints blows away the sharpness of the knapped ones.  As a matter of fact I think the edge is so sharp and fine that it will chip off as it used for shooting.

I have also tried pliers, snippers, pinchers etc and it did not work for me.  But it's just sort of a fun sideline.  I still think I prefer the old hand knapper flints.

[Robby]

Under electron microscope a properly knapped flint is shown to be one molecule wide. Way beyond the best edge of a surgeon's scalpel.

[Daryl]

Molly - don't think so.  Flint, chert and obsidian all flake to a molecular edge - sharper 'points' than can be accomplished by filing. Not to say your "filed" flints are not sharp.  The knapped, but rough/serrated edge of a knapped flint will scrape steel to incandescent heat better than a filed edge simply because of the lower coefficient of friction compared to the longer smooth surface, I think.

I attempted to make some 'emergency' flints from Tungsten Carbide but the best I got was dull red sparks. They were SHARP, felt incredibly sharp, but failed miserably on the frizzen, in comparison to flint or chert.

[Molly]

OK, my electron microscope is busted so I'll take your word.  I guess I am thinking that the consistency (uniformity??) of a filed edge is in total going to be "sharper" than a knapped edge.  Cannot believe one can achieve a single molecule thickness over the total width of the edge.  Come to think of it most that I see show a depth of thickness in some small lengths along the edge.

But then I see my flints flake and break off in small bits over time so I doubt one really want that kind of edge.  Beats me.  When the electron microscope gets fixed I'll take a look!

[Robby]

Well, their is another alternative to the EMS, experience. It requires time and introspection, some people spend a life time in its pursuit and never find it.
Robby

[WKevinD]

Just a little factoid... one who sharpens his flints by skinning them back till they are nubs would have been known as a skinflint...too frugal to use a new flint!

[Tony N]

Pliers work fine, while at home sipping a cold one! It does take time to get the hang of it, but who's in a hurry??

A small knapping hammer while hunting works as well.

~Tony