Why did early man use flint?

Early humans used a variety of stones to make tools: flint, chert, obsidian, chalcedony, and others. What they all have in common is the way they break when struck. They're all what's called cryptocrystaline. read more

Man used flint for cutting, skiving, carving and many other purposes all the way up to and a bit beyond the Bronze age. Not all tools could be made in Bronze and keep an edge like flint. Flint fell out of use in the 1800’s with the replacement of flint lock muskets. read more

This property allows flint to be used as a fire-starter. Skilled people can use a piece of flint, a piece of steel, and a little tinder to quickly start a fire. Early firearms, such as a flintlock, had a piece of flint attached to a spring-loaded hammer that was released when the trigger was pulled. read more