[Adam Helmer]

Mr. 16 gauge,

I am sure Gil will get back with flint information as he is an old Longhunter.

I have used the cut and packaged flints and have had mixed results; some went a long time and others shattered and quit sparking early on. I buy English agate knapped flints at my local shop for $2 each. Most are double ended in that they can be turned around for another sharp edge when the first edge dulls up. I polish my frizzens with a dozen or so strokes of fine crocous cloth after every firing session to preserve the sharp edge of my flints.

I have seen frizzens that looked like the surface of the Moon and they destroy any flint very quickly. A frizzen must be hard and smooth for long flint life. I have never seen a French flint, so my learning curve will be enhanced when we get info on them.

I change my flints when they get dulled up to the point of "clicking" and no longer generate sparks. I keep a spare flint in the patch box of my MLs and always put in a new, sharp flint before I go hunting. Hope this helps.

Adam