What does your napping tool for your flintlock look like?

[Chemman]

Went to the range and clacked off 10+ trigger pulls with no ignition.  Decided the flint was dull.  Tried a little makeshift napping and failed.  Used a Cigarette butt as a matchlock, huge FAiL.  Cigarette butt Finger blast and embedded powder residue resulting in puss flow fingers bad...

Just did not want to take home a loaded weapon. 

IDK

[John SMOthermon]

I’ve always thought it should have been called the “Do Not Touch Hole”!

Sorry too hear about your mishap, I use a simple brass rod too pressure flake my flints.

[rich pierce]

In a pinch turn your flint around 180 degrees. Many sorts of tools will restore an edge to a flint. The thing is practice.

[MuskratMike]

As Rich said there are almost as many knapping tools as shooters. Mine is a brass wedge removal tool that I filed a small notch in. I like the texture of the grip as it seems my fingers are always a little greasy from patches. Many free item are probably lying around your work bench.

[Dale Halterman]

I prime with a brass charger with the plunger that dispense a fixed charge. Knapp with the bottom of the charger.

Dale H

[Brokennock]

Sorry about your fingers.
Where was your ball puller?
You could probably have just moved the flint forward in the jaws a little. Mine did that the other day. It was clacking and opening the frizzen/pan, but no spark. I only let that happen twice. Then I slid the flint and leather forward and stuck a bit of one of the round thick toothpicks behind it. I got at least 5 more shots, then kidnapped with the frizzen and got 5 more. I was done for the day at that point.

What tool you use will depend on what technique you like. Pressure flaking or percussion flaking. A piece of brass with a tiny notch cut in it, like shown above, or a bit of antler time that comes to a dull point, are both great for pressure flaking. One of those little brass knapping hammers is great for percussion.

[Pete G.]

I use the frizzen knapping method. Always handy and nothing extra to lose.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I made a combination tool using a piece of copper and a piece of drill rod to fashion a knapping hammer/turn screw.  Here's some pics that explain far better than words.

[Skychief]

I use a notched nail.  Tap it with a ballstarter or anything that's handy.  Works a trick.

[RichG]

I've started using a small diamond file to touch up flints. takes a while but removes very little flint and flints last longer. easier to do at home watching a movie but works in the field too. At home I use a cheepy diamond hone from Harbor freight.

[Mike from OK]

Depends on the rifle I'm shooting...

The ball starter on my .32 has a 5/16 brass rod for the long let, so I use that. Just a light tap will knap off fine flakes.

Last time I shot my 45 the flint got dull and I didn't have anything in my bag... So I scrounged around the pickup and found an old 16 penny nail. It worked ok so I stuck it in the bag. Should get me by until I find something better.

I haven't got that far with my smoothbore yet. I'll see if there's another nail in the bed of the truck I guess.

Mike

[smallpatch]

Cut nail with a notch cut in it.

[Mike from OK]

I decided to take a look and see what tools are available...

Track carries the little brass hammer with a forged handle and also the Pickering tool...

Thoughts on each item?

Mike

[Oil Derek]

I made a combination tool using a piece of copper and a piece of drill rod to fashion a knapping hammer/turn screw.  Here's some pics that explain far better than words.

Don't want to derail this thread but a question for Taylor. Are these the same fotos you posted in the tutorial on knapping flints? I don't see any fotos when reading that post and know they would be helpful for me in learning your technique.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I'll check the tutorial.  I thought I'd fixed all mine.  Yes, same tool and same photos.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I cannot find the tutorial I did on flintknapping....OD:  can you post the link here?  I'll restore all the images then.

[Mike from OK]

I made a combination tool using a piece of copper and a piece of drill rod to fashion a knapping hammer/turn screw.  Here's some pics that explain far better than words.

Taylor did you pour lead inside the copper pipe for weight and to hold the shank in place?

Mike

[L. Akers]

I use a deer antler tine to pressure flake.

[hanshi]

I find that knapping the flint while it's in the cock jaws is easiest for me.  At times I've used a knife blade or just any hard object to knap.  Years ago I made up tool that I've used ever since.

[Scota4570]

I just use the side of a steel or brass rod, nothing fancy. 

[Ky-Flinter]

A friend made this and gave it to me.  Works great.  I used to use a knapping hammer but that knocks off bigger pieces of flint than I like.  This one takes little gnat bites out of the flint.  The little extension lines it up, then smack it with your short-starter or screwdriver handle.





-Ron

[Ky-Flinter]

Just a note, most of the times when I notice I need to knap my flint is when it's loaded but doesn't go off.  That's why my tool is brass.  Knapping a loaded gun with a steel tool could result in an unwelcome outcome.

-Ron

[EC121]

I usually use the corner of the plunger on my measure.  A few light taps will put an edge on the flint. 

[MuskratMike]

My-Flinter: that might just be the neatest napping tool I've seen. Hope you don't mind if the "Muskrat" pilfers your idea?

[577SXS]

I use the back side of my pocket knife and just tap the edge a few times.