Author Topic: French Amber or English Black  (Read 5845 times)

Offline MuskratMike

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2260
French Amber or English Black
« on: December 03, 2018, 05:02:12 AM »
Simple post question:
Since getting my first flintlock I have shot nothing but French Amber Flints. I get up to 60 shots per flint with only very minor knapping needed. It has a Chambers Late Ketland lock which I know is famous for being easy on flints. The simple question is:
What flint do you use and why?

"Muskrat" Mike McGuire
Keep your eyes on the skyline, your flint sharp and powder dry.

Offline Jerry

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 559
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #1 on: December 03, 2018, 05:41:09 AM »
With 60 shots per flint, I would stick with the French amber flints. I would use them, if I could find them. 

Lobo

  • Guest
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #2 on: December 03, 2018, 08:15:31 AM »
I've been using French Amber flints for years now. I've used English black before but am sticking with the French, they last longer. I got the last patch from an ad in ML magazine


« Last Edit: December 03, 2018, 08:20:25 AM by Lobo »

Offline hanshi

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5335
  • My passion is longrifles!
    • martialartsusa.com
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #3 on: December 03, 2018, 08:28:33 AM »
I have and use black English, Missouri white and a few amber French flints.  The amber flints are old and purchased in bulk along with some black ones.  I get as good flint life with the amber as any of the others.
!Jozai Senjo! "always present on the battlefield"
Young guys should hang out with old guys; old guys know stuff.

Offline alacran

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2258
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #4 on: December 03, 2018, 02:47:42 PM »
I really like the French amber in 3/4 inch and larger. I've had mixed results on the 5/8th flints. Get more mileage on the black flints in that size.
A man's rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.  Frederick Douglass

Offline Pukka Bundook

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3465
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2018, 05:06:47 PM »
I like the black English, but the French amber always had a good reputation.
The English seem to last years , as I don't get to shoot too much.  I know I've done a 45 -50 shot trail walk and started with a used flint.
(Chambers R-faced English, and early Ketland locks)

Offline Mike Brooks

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13415
    • Mike Brooks Gunmaker
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #6 on: December 03, 2018, 05:55:57 PM »
I'll use anything that sparks. Why you may ask? They spark. ;)
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline bob in the woods

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4555
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #7 on: December 03, 2018, 06:24:05 PM »
I mainly use the french amber flints because this is "New France"  ha ha   ;D and I do F/I War reenacting .  That said, the shape of the flint and it's fit in the lock are what I look for.  I've even used quartz from my back 40 and it worked fine

Offline OldMtnMan

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2648
  • Colorado
    • Finest Сasual Dating - Verified Women
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #8 on: December 03, 2018, 06:34:37 PM »
With 60 shots per flint, I would stick with the French amber flints. I would use them, if I could find them.

I just Googled "French Amber Flints For sale" And got a bunch of sites selling them.

Offline Daryl

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15825
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #9 on: December 04, 2018, 01:58:26 AM »
Simple post question:
Since getting my first flintlock I have shot nothing but French Amber Flints. I get up to 60 shots per flint with only very minor knapping needed. It has a Chambers Late Ketland lock which I know is famous for being easy on flints. The simple question is:
What flint do you use and why?


Oh- that's nice.

As to flints, I have French Amber, I have Black English and I have Rich Pierce's white river rocks. I like the river rock's best, then English/French - no favourite between those.

Rich's flints just plain spark better for me, in my locks. They are very hard/tough and last a long time, normally, longer than the others certainly before needing napping.

The English and French flints spark just fine, just not the shower the white ones give me. The white river rocks are harder to nap than the other two, due to their hardness.
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline hanshi

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5335
  • My passion is longrifles!
    • martialartsusa.com
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #10 on: December 04, 2018, 11:16:56 PM »
The white rocks are indeed durable.  While a chore to knapp, they keep on going; kinda like the energizer bunny.
!Jozai Senjo! "always present on the battlefield"
Young guys should hang out with old guys; old guys know stuff.

Offline Martin S.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 549
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #11 on: December 25, 2018, 12:59:27 PM »
Does anyone have contact information they can PM for Rich Pierce?

I'd like to try some of his flints.

Thanks,

Martin

Offline OldMtnMan

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2648
  • Colorado
    • Finest Сasual Dating - Verified Women
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #12 on: December 25, 2018, 06:17:27 PM »
Does anyone have contact information they can PM for Rich Pierce?

I'd like to try some of his flints.

Thanks,

Martin


He's a member/mod on this forum. I believe he said he doesn't sell flints anymore.

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=19

Offline smallpatch

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4107
  • Dane Lund
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #13 on: December 25, 2018, 06:19:26 PM »
Rich is no longer making and selling flints.
In His grip,

Dane

Offline rich pierce

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19522
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #14 on: December 25, 2018, 06:33:49 PM »
Does anyone have contact information they can PM for Rich Pierce?

I'd like to try some of his flints.

Thanks,

Martin

Yeah, I quit selling gunflints a few years ago. Couldn’t keep up and it was hard to find enough rock. 
Andover, Vermont

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

  • Member 3
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12671
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #15 on: December 25, 2018, 11:06:52 PM »
MM:  very nicely finished up Kibler rifle there.
D. Taylor Sapergia
www.sapergia.blogspot.com

Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline hanshi

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5335
  • My passion is longrifles!
    • martialartsusa.com
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #16 on: December 26, 2018, 12:46:32 AM »
As for "anything that sparks" is concerned, I even tried obsidian.  The piece I used, about the size and shape of regular gun flints, sparked and fired a few times and then stopped.  Might try that again one day.
!Jozai Senjo! "always present on the battlefield"
Young guys should hang out with old guys; old guys know stuff.

Offline StevenV

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 263
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #17 on: December 26, 2018, 01:15:04 AM »
got some amber flints the other day from Stonewall Creek Outfitters (50 for $85.00). more than satisfied ,  excellent quality everyone of them          Steve

Offline Martin S.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 549
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #18 on: December 26, 2018, 03:28:18 AM »
Does anyone have contact information they can PM for Rich Pierce?

I'd like to try some of his flints.

Thanks,

Martin

Yeah, I quit selling gunflints a few years ago. Couldn’t keep up and it was hard to find enough rock.

Sorry to hear this, but I appreciate you letting me know.

Martin

Smokey Plainsman

  • Guest
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #19 on: December 26, 2018, 10:26:33 AM »
Does anyone have a list of active flint Knappers?

I know there are many vendors who sell them, but who’s knapping them?

Offline rich pierce

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19522
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #20 on: December 26, 2018, 06:04:58 PM »
Does anyone have a list of active flint Knappers?

I know there are many vendors who sell them, but who’s knapping them?

Anonymous Englishmen and Frenchmen.
Andover, Vermont

Smokey Plainsman

  • Guest
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #21 on: December 26, 2018, 07:28:21 PM »
Does anyone have a list of active flint Knappers?

I know there are many vendors who sell them, but who’s knapping them?

Anonymous Englishmen and Frenchmen.

I meant those selling them.

Offline smokinbuck

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3004
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #22 on: December 28, 2018, 04:42:59 PM »
I have black English flints, 3/4". $25/dozen, shipped. Additional dozen at $22 on the same order.
Mark
Mark

Offline nemovir

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 115
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #23 on: January 07, 2019, 03:21:30 AM »
When it applies to flint.  Is the larger of the 2 measurement given always the length?

Offline rich pierce

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19522
Re: French Amber or English Black
« Reply #24 on: January 07, 2019, 03:39:31 AM »
Track of the Wolf, Stone Creek Outfitters, and others sell English and French flints,
Andover, Vermont