Sharp flints!
I’ve held on to my used flints with the hope of one day figuring out how to sharpen them. At $2.50 to $3.50 a pop, things can add up (especially since my Charleville chews flints like a teenage girl through a pack of bubble gum).
I’ve tried a few techniques such as napping with a flint hammer and snipping the edge of the flint with needle nose pliers. But these techniques were iffy at best. I would only manage to get one or two more good sparks before the flint was completely useless.
I finally came across a video with an interesting technique here:
Capandball uses a small brass rod that is tapered at the end. With this technique I was able to sharpen my old flints with great success! In fact, I think they are sharper now, but probably less structurally sound (more likely to disintegrate). Nevertheless, this is exactly what I was looking for. Many thanks to you good sir!
Twistification 
Thanks for calling out this very helpful video. I had posted it on my Charleville Firing and Cleaning webpage some time ago: http://www.bahrnoproducts.com/Charleville_Firing_and_Cleaning.htm
The method worked very well for me, allowing me to use just one flint for up to the seventh season of reenacting, although with just a couple events each year. You can’t easily find a rod with dimensions the rod the video calls out, but I came close. If you can’t find a lathe, you can then use a drill press for milling. When I get some time, I’ll try to get you more details. You’d think somebody would sell these, but they don’t; maybe economics aren’t just there. However, I may just pass the idea along to a smith I met at the NWTA last event at Cantigny. Will let you know. Thanks again!
Thanks Bill. Have you had success using a drill press for milling? Let me know if you find out anything at Cantigny!
Posted to CapAndBall’s youtube:
wjb8184
11 months ago
in reply to wjb8184
FWIW, I tried turning a 3/16″ brass rod (available at hardware stores) with a power drill w/ stand and a file; didn’t work. I then went to a locksmith. He didn’t have a metal lathe, but we did use his drill press and put a file(s) in his vise. Seemed to do a nice job, although, not having the measurements of your rod, I might have taken off too much — I thought the turned diameter was half the rod’s, but in looking at your video again, it seems a little more. Will let you know if problem.