No flint? No problem. How to find a rock that will spark like flint.

[@leemundy1613]

Hey, thanks for this video- very informative! I was under the impression that you had to find flint. Boy, was I glad to see that other types of rock will work. I'm currently learning fire starting techniques and I'll be out tomorrow morning striking sparks! Thanks again.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Awesome! I’m glad the vid helped. Good luck!

[@John-of5sh]

Mr Roberts, almost 5 years have passed since you made this video, and guess what? Its just as informative today as it was 5 years ago. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction for finding the correct rocks. Knowledge is the key! I learned alot from your video-Thank You for sharing!

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thank you very much for the kind comment. Glad you like it!

[@lukeevans1746]

It's really refreshing to hear someone on KZbin admit that they don't know something! Great video and very informative.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thanks

[@leanncollier1229]

Thanks for showing that you can study the properties of the rocks you find to see if they might work with your steel. Brilliant! Good stuff for this rookie.

[@MK-mq6km]

I like how this guy talks plainly and shows that you don't need a bunch of knowledge to able to accomplish what matters..... Plus... I recognized this dude as the angry guy from the TV show called Alone! I was rootin for ya

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Ha! Thanks. ;)

[@MatoNupai]

The Moh's hardness scale. 1 is talc 2 is selenite, 3 is finger nail or calcite 4 is Fluorite 5-5.5 is steel 6 is jade 7 is chert, quartz, tiger eye, jasper. All silicon dioxide stoves even petrified wood. 8 is aquamarine, emerald, and other beryls 9 corundum like rubies and sapphire 10 diamond.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

MatoNupai Thanks for the info.

[@garymingy8671]

Where's my topaz?

[@waveman0]

so I need to get me some rubies, sapphire and diamonds for my 'flint and steel'...LoL in all honesty I find quartz inferior to flint/chert as it doesn't develop the same sharp edges like flint does. Never tried jasper or tiger eye, I have petrified wood but it doesn't have spark edges like my flints do.

[@waveman0]

just tried some confirmed, throws sparks.

[@andrewbeattieRAB]

EXCELLENT VIDEO BTW, the “facets” you mentioned hopefully are little curved or shell shaped.

[@ESAPOWER]

Hey Larry! When it comes down to metals there are two particularly important qualities to take into account for bushcraft; Hardness. And toughness. Hardness is a measure of how brittle the metal is - literally. That's all it tells you. It tells you that a metal will chip or snap rather than bend. This is important, because if a metal is not hard, it is soft. And that means when you strike it with flint it will peel, easily, and not use any of the kinetic energy you have provided to get very hot. When a metal is hard, you will 'chip' tiny pieces off of the steel with pressure and friction, which will make the metal very hot in the process. Toughness relates to something entirely different. Two metals might have a hardness of 30 - but one can hold a tonne of weight, and the other will break if you put five pounds on it. Just as an extreme example. The one that holds the greater weight is more 'tough' because it has more strength. There are various measures of strength for metals however, because some perform better than others in different ways. There is tensile strength, compressional strength, and I think lateral strength, but don't quote me on that last one. These relate to the three ways you apply strain to an object - squashing it very hard with something heavy... Pulling on it very hard with something strong.... Or applying force across the mineral structures. It's important to understand that any *metal* is nothing more than a structure of billions of tiny crystalline / mineral structures. Any metal can only be as strong as these structures allow - and applying force or damaging the metal can be accumulative. You might batton your knife on monday, and all will seem fine... But under a microscope, you'd see that you have damaged the mineral structures. On friday you might baton in the same way, with the same woods... And the knife snaps. This is simply because the damage built up, and caused the blade to fail. I hope you find this useful!

[@snorman1951]

"Hardness is a measure of how brittle the metal is - literally." I don't think that's correct although harder metals are usually more brittle than softer metals.

[@scruff_uk]

Great video Mr R! This Easter break I found myself on a stoney beach on the North East coast of England. Whilst my girlfriend was distracted by her dogs and the rock pools, I adopted this same approach and came away with a small fist sized piece of flint I cracked in two halves with nice crisp, sparking edges. Do like Larry says folks, get out there and try stuff out. Thanks amigo. Stay safe and well.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

pompuswindbag Sounds like an awesome time at the beach! I miss the ocean although mine was always the Pacific. Thanks very much man.

[@mikeharrington5593]

Trial & error seems to work very well at fixing things in the memory. Good job.

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

A good and honest video . Many folks have told me they have no flint - chert - quartz - chalcedony or other sparking stones in their vicinity . They are surprised when they actually get out there and start breaking rocks with a hammer stone or rock hammer - I recommend an Estwing for a rock hammer & one of the best strikers an individual can have is made from a file -> .187 thick or greater - Nicholson files are the best and old ones can be found at garage sales and flea markets for 50 cents . Thanks for your videos Mr. Roberts and best wishes .

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Good info, and thanks man.

[@skeetsoutdoors7753]

Hi Larry, Skeeter here, I realize that I came on this video a little late (couple of years) by it’s a really good video. Thanks for putting it together.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thanks!

[@victorcastle1840]

Good one Larry, Enjoyed it. I never grew up and still enjoy time at the creek looking at rocks. Just wish I new what they were ? from 4 to 74 and still like playing in the creek :-)

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Awesome. I only know a few rocks in my area. My daughter actually taught me a few.

[@victorcastle1840]

Great Larry, Wish I had someone who could tell me what some of the types I have the most of, what they are for sure. From pictures , I can guess on some of them, but others I'm just not sure. I can find plenty in the creek that will spark. But like what you ran into, only a few Quartz that spark real good. I need to learn how to work them down in sizes that are easily carried. Hey it gets us outside and that is always good. Older than dirt and still playing in the creek :-(

[@morayjames92]

Railway lines use a lot of crushed rock as a bed for their tracks most of the time the rock is limestone because it readily available in bulk for cheap and where you have limestone you will always find flint/chert. So walk along a rail track and check out the rocks you will fine stones with flint in them.

[@robeyler4045]

The hands tell a story... Great video Larry

[@ProjectJeremiah]

Larry I love your honesty

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thank you!

[@petemcpherson2259]

Hey Larry Merry Christmas! I eventually bought 2 pieces of Flint from a dealer overseas and got some nice chunks for a fare price, and how I still love going to the river or on the railroad tracks near me and hunt for rocks I find it very satisfying to find some, thanks for sharing this.

[@meldeweese6875]

Larry - I started learning survival skills in 1950 as a boy, learning from my Grandad thar was in WW-1 . I joined the Navy in 1959 . I was with UDT -11 as a Para Rigger 1965. I ended up as a SERE - POW Inst ( 15 yrs ) retiring in 1982, NOTE - first saw a Negrito fire piston while attending the Navy Jungle school in P.I. .Later 75- 78 I brought several to USA. NOW I continue to learn and teach, now 2021 in Colorado at my tipi camp since 1988. SO ------ Great job on your info / demo video ! But I believe you must have been testing all the rocks with a piece of carbon metal, RIGHT ? I could not tell but I have never found" 2 rocks that make a spark ". ( I would buy a bucket full, ha ) The spark in " flint & steel " comes off the carbon steel . I have seen NO rocks that " throws a spark. " I will be age 80 soon . I have known many World experts. I will pay for 2 rocks that spark and make fire with natural material. I doubt if my contacts, Cody L, Larry O., Richard Jamison, Jim Riggs , Mors K. ( 4 dead now ) ever made fire with 2 stones. WELL keep up the good info. Stop by W. Colo and visit. Mtn Mel - Deweese

[@eqlzr2]

Just a couple picky things: generally speaking, rocks don't spark of course, except possibly for pyrite. And the best pieces of rock will basically be chips that have an extremely sharp edge. The sharp edge is key to shaving flakes off the steel that will ignite into sparks. The fracture pattern you're referring to is called conchoidal. It is the classic fracture pattern of flint/chert. Once you see the shiny surface on the chip, you never forget how it looks.

[@garyminick1050]

I agree but I have also seen one rock hitting another and a spark came out of two rocks banging each other. I could only wonder what the temperature off of " rock on rock " would be . However I don't believe rock on rock would start a fire .

[@earthdog1961]

Preach it Brother! Knowledge is power. Nothing is ever perfect, so we make do with what we got.

[@rcnc1989]

Great Video! I was reviewing some videos and they would say just what you mentioned, find a 7, that means nothing to me. But your video was wonderful and now I feel I could find a rock that would work if I can't find flint.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thank you. I'm glad I helped, the "7" means nothing to me either. I think most folks are with us on this one whether they want to admit it or not.

[@captbizzarro3141]

Great video Larry. Enjoyed the trial and error method of finding the right rock. Persistence is the key.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

***** Yep, persistance and knowing what to look for.

[@brendanlyster195]

North Georgia = no chert north Georgia = orange to pink color quartz. Most likely found in creeks. very good sparkers not good arrowheads. That is my experience. Hopefully this useful to someone.... Nice vid. and the more u try to strike the better the sparks should get because of better technique. I found this vid to be much more thorough and easier to understand better for people learning about it! Thank you for spending your time to produce nice helpful videos!

[@LarryRobertsbc]

+Brendan Lyster I just saw your comment. Thanks man!

[@brendanlyster195]

any time!

[@HaggardOutdoors]

Brendan Lyster Hello I am pushing for 500 Subscribers so I’m doing a Giveaway so stop by subscribers be and enter for your chance to win.

[@garymingy8671]

Quarts will flake. Pink or smoky...so to opals

[@gavin9038]

Just came from Survival in purpose channel, he recommended your channel. Really well presented, thanks for sharing your findings.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thanks! I appreciate it.

[@scoutingfreegermany]

Great video Larry, I remember when we were kids we were hitting on every rock we could get a hand on to throw some sparks and many do! Cheers, Marc

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Scouting Free I did the same thing when I was a kid. lol

[@AgileWoodsman]

Good info Larry! That first rock that fell apart is what we call in archaology "fire cracked rock". Hairline fractures happen when rock is heated and cooled. It can happen from camp fires, forest fires, and is often a first clue that there might be something historic or prehistoric there also, a settlers camp or native camp. And also sometimes those rocks that are nice, smooth and shiny on the outside often have what we call a cortex on them, which is basically an oxidized outer covering that develops over time. Those have to be broken open to find the good stuff inside. Roadbeds are often a good place to look since vehicle traffic can pre break open the rocks for your hunting pleasure.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Agile Woodsman It was definitely in a fire pit from some time ago...probably last summer. Gravel roads are a good place to look, but they often only yield small samples. Drainage ditches and culverts are a good place too. Thanks!

[@HaggardOutdoors]

Agile Woodsman Hello I am pushing for 500 Subscribers so I’m doing a Giveaway so stop by subscribers be and enter for your chance to win.

[@HuitziFranco_hufra]

7 means that you can scratch glass with it, easy to verify. Anythig that can scratch glass is higher than 7.

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

I really enjoyed this video. I may be a little biased though - I studied lithics in college. I think the characteristic you were talking about is a conchoidal fracture pattern. And there's such a quality scale of different lithic materials natives used. If they didn't have quality materials in their area or have any through trade - they used what they had. There's a lesson in there somewhere. Take care buddy. -Krik

[@LarryRobertsbc]

BlackOwlOutdoors Glad you liked it. Other than that I have no idea what you said. LOL I do a little, but I never studied this stuff quite as in-depth as that. Thanks again!

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

***** Ha I guess I did get a little nerdy there. Lithics = stones.

[@HaggardOutdoors]

Black Owl Outdoors Hello I am pushing for 500 Subscribers so I’m doing a Giveaway so stop by subscribers be and enter for your chance to win.

[@slowrydelong4770]

Hey Larry, I finally got my fire steel in the mail today. It came with a piece of flint but I went right to my rock driveway and tried a handful of them. Almost all of them that had a sharp edge threw a spark. Most I think are granite mixed with white rock. I even tried hardness # 7 porcelain 2"x2" tile. It sparked but chipped easily...thanks again for inspiring me to keep going. A lot less labor and more dependable than the bow drill. Finding the right wood is tough. Everything is rotted or wet.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

+Greg Long Awesome! I never tried the tile, good one. Yes, the flint and steel method is way easier than the bow drill. The bow drill is last resort, but you only need to do it once then you can go right into flint and steel for next time. Glad your getting in some practice. Thanks!

[@georgefolkner5830]

Thank you Larry . This is something I can teach my family . Take care . 👍🏼👍🏼

[@LarryRobertsbc]

You bet, and thanks.

[@lylemeckem5176]

Ml

[@Caintuckee64]

Rivers; creeks, streams... and then... railroad tracks! In America we are never too far from one or the other. Couple of weeks ago I found lots of quartz and even Iron pyrite walking the tracks a very short distance.

[@afkshadow9317]

Damn nice find

[@gonetoheck]

I remember when I was 11 yrs old and was sledding down a hill... sled had metal rails... and the snow was barely covering the ground... and not sure what kind of small rocks I skimmed over while going down the hill... but it sure sent up some sparks ! I've never had an actual fire steel... wondering if I can get a railroad spike to do the same... I heard that either the old spikes or the new spikes are of high carbon steel... not sure. I have some experimenting to do !

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Brad Cox I've heard the one's stamped H or HC are high carbon, but I'm not sure. I would suppose they would need to be heat treated either way. A good quality file that you carefully grind the ridges off will work too.

[@jeffrichardsonoutdoorschan5324]

I have a video of a lot of chert by the creek. I found it pretty hard to tell at first, but helped a lot once I got the hang of what to look for. Thanks for the info! ;)

[@seanantill3366]

Excellent video Larry we don't have flint up here either so its a challenge to find ones that do but sum great info here and thank you

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Sean Antill You bet Sean, thanks!

[@robertgilmour8110]

That was so interesting Larry. Thankyou.That was awesome

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thank you very much!

[@PrimitiveFusion]

No rocks in my area naturally. I have to go to a gravel road or driveway and get from there. Nice video Larry! can't wait for the Alone finale!

[@TBOR101]

Thanks for sharing, I'm not a rockhound either so I dont know specific names. We found rocks in the Boundary Water area that is hard as steel, if you could break them, they work great, but they dont have the normal characteristics, they are mostly flat and rough on the outside. Just have to do what you showed, find, break, and experiment.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

TBOR101 If its a hard rock it will work. When you try smashing the rock with a bigger heavier rock and the big one breaks, then another big one breaks, then you finally get the one your trying to break to work...it doesn't matter what it looks like it will work. lol Your right, experimenting is the real test.

[@Lugh444]

How awesome is this video. I just got my first steel striker and my first question was, "Would I really be able to manage finding flint or chert?". Very cool to know what sort of rocks to look for, looks entertaining actually can't wait to get out in the forest. I live in Central NY, not much flint here. But I guess in Coxsackie (near Albany, NY) there is an ancient Indian flint mine , evidence of knapping just about everywhere you go near it. Wicked cool. Thanks for the video!

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thanks! That would be cool to have a mine close. I don’t have mush actual flint or chert by me that I know of. I do have lots of quarts though. Glad you liked the video.

[@RickTOutdoorAdventure1969]

Good film. I made a similar one yesterday and stumbled on yours today. Good stuff 👍

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thanks!

[@stevo36ify]

Awesome video! Thanks for breaking it down so that it makes sense. Just subscribed.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thanks!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Hi Larry, I just put together a video for my channel very similar in content to yours. Good to know I was on a similar track. Thanks for sharing

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Nice! You bet man, thanks.

[@marybrunner9392]

Larry - this was the best demo I've ever seen on this subject - thank you!!! I know there are rocks you can strike against one another & get sparks - I just don't know or remember what kind. I was a little girl when my dad showed me how to do it. This is how I came across your video...I was trying to look it up. No one else has come close, as far as explaining how to find, break it up (caveman style lol), & use it. Of course - I'm a new sub now...lol!!! Hope you have a GREAT NITE!!! :-)

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thank you!

[@marybrunner9392]

Larry - You're very welcome!!!

[@sheilam4964]

I saw a kid do the same thing with two rocks back in the 50s. He knew what rocks to use and explained what to look for but his explanation was too vague. I'd still like to know. Off to try my luck on google.

[@sheilam4964]

I found a blog that said it was Iron Pyrite - the rock with gold flecks - fool's gold. I think that's right. I remember the gold flecks in the rocks.

[@chriscastillo3866]

@@sheilam4964 I think 2 pcs of flint or is it the horns of a f. eg a Sika and a flint?

[@slowrydelong4770]

Hey Larry. I found lots of rocks that produce sparks in my area (Georgia). Searching for chaga now. Thanks for your inspiration and advice.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

+Greg Long Awesome Greg! Glad to hear your finding some good resources. Thanks for the support, it means a lot to me.

[@yoopersurvival]

thanks for the help. I want to try a flint and steel. now I know what rocks to look for

[@LarryRobertsbc]

yoopersurvival I hope you have great success with it. It's one of my favorite ways to make fire for sure.

[@niallwildwoode7373]

It's more a gut feeling and the sound of the rock....higher pitch and sharper. We've seriously hard volcanic rock around us. So stupidly hard that I had a breaker on one small boulder for 15mins, and still couldn't split it! Yet a shard of it still will lose it's edge rapidly on a true firesteel. Flint is worth a king's ransom!

[@jamesgreen4522]

This answers a question that has bugged me for a while. Where I live there is a lot of sandstone. I now know what to look for.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

james green I hope you find a rock that works for you, keep me posted!

[@billclancy4913]

As a flint knapper, that rock at about 9:00 is a fine grained quartzite...maybe a chert. Tools or sparks for sure!

[@LarryRobertsbc]

I wish I knew more about geology.

[@evelynwaugh4053]

Thanks for the very informative demo. Chalcedony including jasper (6.5 to 7. on MOHS hardness scale) is very common in this area. Usually when I collect I am partial to pretty rocks, so I collect lots of red, yellow jasper, etc. but I've picked up homelier chert also, intrigued by its fracturing properties. Will experiment with the sharp fracturing rocks and see what sparks best in my area. I suspect that the same rocks that produce sparks can also be knapped due to the conchoidal (shaped like conch shell) fracturing properties?

[@LarryRobertsbc]

I would say they could be knapped for sure.

[@billa.785]

Nothing works better than experimenting .... thanks.

[@LaLDiscgolf]

great video larry , i live in southeast kansas i get the fun of searching through piles of limestone to find one decent rock. but hey you work with what you got

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Austin Bolyard Yep! We all have different resources, some are good for one thing and are lacking on others. I'm jealous of England, they have the most beautiful flint ever.

[@sinfonianbarelytone9191]

Great layman info. Thanks! trying to decide if I have any steel to take hiking to try to find a rock to add to my fire kit.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

If you have a file, you can smooth one edge with a grinder and try that. Some I've had to reheat treat to throw sparks

[@sinfonianbarelytone9191]

I actually saw another video saying a carbon steel Mora works as well. I had just purchased two from Massdrop so I may try that. Love your explanation of how to find acceptable rocks.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

I've had marginal success with a Mora, but I've had other high carbon knives (1095) throw sparks like crazy.

[@rocksolidgamez5387]

Up here in northern Minnesota we have no flint but a lot of quartz, thanks

[@tonyshaw7389]

Thank you didn’t ask you but you answered my question on another program and he never got back to Colorado thank U again this year for that I’m going to subscribe

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thanks!

[@cbearw1]

Great video! Thankyou for posting. I think I saw you on Alone. Big fan. 🙏👍

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thanks! Yes, I was on season 2 and season 5.

[@richardpeterson3753]

i was taught if you can knap the stone,then its good to spark steel.im still trying to get into this meathod of fire craft so i cant validate anything yet.learning all i can.ill use these tips when i finaly get my steel.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

That sounds about right with the knapping. I think some of the rocks I found would be hard to knap, but I bet you could do it. That's kinda what I mean when I say the rock has "facets" it has the smooth chips like when you knap a stone.

[@RonRay]

Those fractures you mentioned are "conchoidal fractures". Like the results of a tiny stone hitting glass and leaving the round 'chip' on the other side.

[@stephenpushak2932]

conchoidal fractures is good. May not be present with all hard rocks such as jade or granite or feldspar.

[@EatCarbs]

Right on. Makes me want to go down to the river now. Thanks for the video

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Eat Carbs Let me know what you find. I know you guys sometimes have great obsidian, but good sparking rocks I have no idea.

[@EatCarbs]

As soon as I can get out again.

[@ronbanks1541]

The red rock with an edge looks like it might be jasper, which can be a good back up sparker

[@MTwoodsrunner]

solid tips and a good demonstration Larry...woods

[@LarryRobertsbc]

MTwoodsrunner Thanks!

[@aydin2005ozdemir]

Thanks for this beautiful presentation

[@LarryRobertsbc]

You bet, glad you liked it!

[@slowrydelong4770]

Was about to throw in the towel on fire and steel and going to a bow drill, ( had some good results with it ) but thanks to your video I'm back in the game. Live in Georgia near the Flint River...but I don't think it has flint. Thanks for your efforts.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

+Greg Long Awesome I could help. Good luck with flint and steel and let me know how it goes.

[@scottleft3672]

smash it....find the opaque or glassy bits if they wont smash....chances are. also porus rocks have moisture in them and can explode in a fire.....pebles near a stream are best ....erosion has left the tough stuff.

[@shamibeef]

Great video Larry! Thanks for sharing my friend!

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Richard Parent Thanks Richard!

[@TheOtterOutdoorsman]

When I need more rocks for hitting against steal, I actually do just this. Sit in a rock pile and see what works

[@LarryRobertsbc]

The Otter Outdoorsman It's all you can do sometimes. Narrowing down the search by looking for the proper characteristics will help though.

[@SmoothGefixt]

Nice one, thanks!

[@daglaisgaitnieks]

I didn't expect to see you guys here... anyways, keep up the good vides. :D

[@barnaclebill1615]

Nice video. Thanks for the explanation. You really educated me. I had nooo idea about best sparking rocks. BTW I’m a subscriber and enjoy your simple realistic approach. 😁👍👍

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thanks. Of course, it’s the metal that actually sparks. This video is so old I can’t remember if I explained that.

[@Woodswalker1965]

Great video!

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thank you!

[@southjerseybushcraft4299]

Good job, here in new jersey its either. quarts or churt, but churt is harder to find so i always carry a pice of quarts with my char cloth, but very good rule of thumb, always check the properties of a material, thumbs up

[@southjerseybushcraft4299]

Btw for anyone who doesn't know, true flint is from Europe,

[@LarryRobertsbc]

southjerseybushcraft Thanks!

[@LarryRobertsbc]

southjerseybushcraft That's what they say for sure. My book said chert and flint were the same make up just flint is darker. Most comes from England if I'm not mistaken.

[@SurvivalAussie]

It is very common for students to think the sparks come from the rocks. High Carbon steel is pyrophoritic, which means it will ignite at 54.5* Celcius. Just like Magnesium, Uranium, Titanium, Calcium, Aluminium. You can use a LOT of stones, especially the Jaspers which work better than flint in my opinion. :-) Nice video Larry.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Yes it is common for folks to think that. Titanium creates a hot spark, but it can be difficult to produce them regularly. I haven't been able to find a big enough piece of jasper in my area.

[@aaronlepp6477]

A little late to watching this video but thanks for the upload! I learned a few things to look for. Great knowledge!

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Glad I could help. Thanks!

[@cement8103]

I live in southern MN too, thanks for this

[@LarryRobertsbc]

You bet!

[@koningbolo4700]

I saw a video where a guy told he went out to railroad tracks and looked for flint (or suitable stones at least) among the ballast to use with a steel...

[@papuchu]

I carry and use a piece of hss metal hack saw as striker and i test rocks with it to see If it gives sparks. If you live in an área were naturally there aren’t rocks that give steel sparks, look out for foreigner rocks brought from distant places to build roads or railroads

[@oldtimerlee8820]

Great info Larry. Sadly the only thing in my immediate area is quartz. Looked up chert (flint) and there is some in NC. However, it's in different parts of the state from where I live, as well. Have you done any research on geologic survey deposit maps for your state? Seems there's also chert in NE Minn. (Took a quick peek, but didn't spend much time, digging into it because you may live too far away for info to be beneficial. ) Thanks for sharing & teaching!

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Oldtimer Lee I have a book that says we have some on Lake Superior, but I've never found any except down south. I've found agates and jasper, but no chert so far.

[@ralphaelnovella1130]

very good video.....thank you...I appreciate your hard work to bring us all knowledge...☕🌎⚓🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[@terryshrives8322]

That was great. Really appreciate the video, it was a big help

[@ksuhuh]

Next date I have will ask the "what do you look for in a rock" question first

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Lol!

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

Nice video, Larry. Those fractures, I believe are called conchoidal fractures and it looks like you have similar rocks as I have in Maine, glacial till. Rhyolite is possibly the ruby brown stuff that sparks well.Does it have small specks in it? The conchoidal fractures are what I look for and even then some spark better than others. Flat fractures are no good. Rhyolite was traditionally use for point by the indigenous people. There were rare sites of chert, too.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

downeast primitive skills Some of the rocks have the specks in them. I'm always on the look for agates so I've been paying more attention to the finer details of the rocks. If its smooth and glassy most times it will work from my experience.

[@TedsOutdoors]

Great job! This was very helpful. I'll look in my area.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Teds Outdoors I hope you find something that will work for you. Let me know what you find.

[@StrayDogCrew]

great video! btw, quartz is the 7 on that MOHS scale, but like you illustrated, you dont need to know how to build a clock, you just need to know the time. Technically speaking, flint is extremely rare in the USA. Our version of flint is most likely chert. We have a lot red jasper here in Colorado, not sure about the sparking ability, but it makes great arrowheads.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Stray Dog Crew The book I have says chert is the same as flint just flint is black. It says it has the same composition just the color is different. Your right most "flint" comes from England, but I'll take any rock that will spark. Thanks!

[@MatoNupai]

You're right Larry. Flints and agates are also 7s. There is one agate that can go as high as 8.3 on the scale and that is the Ellensburg blue agate found northwest of Ellensburg WA. The Blues have titanium in the transparent blue agates and can be a BEAR yo facet and cut cabochon s. I'be been collecting rocks for 50+ years.

[@cannonmakers1530]

Flint is not rare in the USA just hard to find.There is a difference.

[@gus1911]

Good info Larry! Thanks again for your work.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

gus1911 You bet man, thanks.

[@michaelschroeder6014]

Concohoidal fracturing is the term for the way flint, chert and obsidian breaks.

[@rowdyyates372]

When i was a kid we used to use rocks off the railroad tracks to throw sparks, of course we didnt know how to make a fire with them but banginging to together sure did get sparks

[@LarryRobertsbc]

I’ve heard that is a good place to get good rocks. I think a lot of the gravel is quarts and in some parts of the country like New Mexico chert common for railroads and driveways.

[@heidihikestheheysen9459]

Thanks for sharing man! Very educational.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

You bet, and thanks!

[@shane4176]

super awesome video stuff I've never really thought about. Ok gotta go, I'm going looking for rocks!

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Awesome! Let me know how it goes for you.

[@Flazhness]

In Denmark, where I live, Flint is abundant! It's everywhere, on the side of the road, in the forests and the beaches.. If I put a shovel in the ground I would most likely dig up a few pieces of Flint. ;)

[@LarryRobertsbc]

I’d love to have that much flint!

[@djentzneau7769]

Send me some( I’m from Sweden , Gotland ) pretty close.

[@johnny6148]

GOOD TO KNOW WILL TRY. YOUR BAG IS A KNOCK OFF OF MY DESIGN. Looks home made. Most of your rocks are sedimentary and have hardness of 4.

[@2bonosc]

Great stuff. Should I try to knapp the rocks further , if you go deeper into the rock the shards could be better? What do you think. In other words, get rid of dull edges and the strength of the rock will be maximized?

[@LarryRobertsbc]

2bonosc Actually you have to look at the rock. Some of the deeper stuff is better on true flint or sometimes quartz. A little deeper is probably good, but I don't think you have to get way inside a boulder for instance. Your right about getting rid of the dull edges, but if the rock is not noticeably crumbly on the outside I don't think you'll have a problem.

[@richardpeterson3753]

i got an old square metal file thats small.im haveing an issue wearing the teeth off one side.i dont have access to a grinder and dont want to weaken the temper until i can see if it will work or not.then ill consider hardening it if it fails.i basicaly found a flint steel and fire piston is all i need in my fire kit.so im trying to get both.fire piston is just a back up in case i cant find a rock that would work.my fire cord is all nateral and lights easy with this kind of spark.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Just wear it down on a hard rock then I guess. Or another file if you have two to spare.

[@benterwellen]

Larry, Great info, Great Video, Ty for sharing

[@LarryRobertsbc]

ben terwellen You bet Ben, thank you!

[@dxrevelations5111]

all experience this guy.while i bring pictures of rocks and view tutorials on my phone while

[@blackjack3599]

Thing i heard about softer or weaker material produces the best sparks. It might be better to keep a hard rock and soft rock

[@LarryRobertsbc]

I’ve never heard or been able to get a soft rock to work.

[@joec2442]

Good information for us in the Midwest. Is it true that real flint stone comes from England?

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Yes, true flint comes from England

[@MastrOfPupprs]

Man. look at that log. that is a nice log

[@mr.delacruz559]

Nice lesson! Thanks Chief!!

[@holdernewtshesrearin5471]

when i was a kid i used to find arrowheads made from flint all over North and South Carolina and Georgia but ive never found a flint stone. Im not sure why. Its obviously in the area but where i dont know.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

It can be hard to find for sure. When I was in Oregon I found tons of obsidian, but I’ve never found an arrow head.

[@grierwolfe]

Great stuff man!

[@LarryRobertsbc]

***** Thanks Justin!

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Yep, I agree.

[@victorcastle1840]

Hey Justin, Hope things are going good on the farm, for you ? Must be a real change to you and your family . Moved to the country over 40 yrs. ago to raise our two boys. Can't imagine living around the great hoards again. East Central Illinois, where the trees and gullies are :-)

[@blacksheep6821]

Awesome vid. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

You bet, thanks.

[@simglz]

Muy buen vídeo muy ilustrativo, felicidades.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Thank you!

[@hangswithraccoons]

Great video man! Cant find Flint either. I heard that used to bake some rocks in the fire in order to find Flint around here though I don't know what that process is. I'm in Michigan by the way.

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Hangs with Raccoons I've heard of some stones that actually need to be fire hardened, but it sure isn't flint. I accidentally left some in my char tin last weekend and it made it super brittle. My book says you guys have some up north by the big lake, but it says the same thing about my area and I can't find any.

[@hangswithraccoons]

What book are you looking at?

[@LarryRobertsbc]

I wasn't looking at any book, just stating my experience. It turns out you just have to be careful how to fire harden the flint. My friend ***** showed me some this weekend and it worked great.

[@hangswithraccoons]

I'm pretty curious about that I have to look into it and do some research.

[@farnorthpicker56]

Excellent info. Thanks!😊🗯🗯🗯

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Glad you like the video. :)