Cheapest Firebricks? Can half bricks only be used?

The thread title asks it all, but for more explanation: Our semi-local big box stores only sell half bricks. We’ve bought them out of those twice now and have more halves than we need for the 8” system. I haven’t found a nearby wood stove shop for full size ones, but will keep looking. Our evenings are cooling so we need to get it going either way (otherwise ready to level the base this weekend) and it’s looking like we will have to order the full-sized firebrick online.

I’m assuming doubling half bricks for the burn tube, etc would significantly complicate sealing it all...or is that not the case?  Can we use just halves and double them up where necessary without a ton of extra cuts?  I didn’t find that specifically mentioned in the book or videos.  Any help with suggested suppliers or size/number adjustments would be appreciated!  

I don’t know what style of rocket stove you are building but half bricks would be  preferred in most cases however they don’t self support themselves so you need to have a building design to match the half bricks.
Most batch box designs are built using full bricks but you can line a box of ceramic fibre with half bricks to great effect, Matt Walker is a hurge fan of ceramic fibre low mass builds so it can be done.

The best benefit to full bricks, as Scots mentioned, is they are more stable while building. They also provide better insulation which makes the rocket more powerful. Double the bricks if you have enough, just make sure you've bonded them together well. Once the stove is in place and covered with cob it wont be moving anywhere. Make sure you are using refractory blanket as insulation to increase the insulation value.

Hi Catherine,   I have been recently consulting with Matt Walker as well and can confirm that he very strongly suggests to keep the firebox low mass as much as possible.

Think of splits as a liner where abrasion resistance is needed but supported with a strong backing of insulation (cf board, insulated fire bricks, perlite/clay etc.) then brick or cob to encase the whole thing.

It's not to say that you can't use dense bricks for the whole build, its just less efficient and takes away the heat from the fire where its really needed.

Hi Catherine:
I see you are in Mo. I don't know what part of the state you are in and what the nearest large town that has a masonry supply house.
A quick look on line showed me a place on the west side of the state   here is a link  http://leessummitblocknstone.com/
Bunches more on the east side here is just one in St Louis  https://themasonrystore.com/

Masonry supply is where you would find Firebrick, full & split's,  if your lucky they have insulated firebricks as well ,sacks of fireclay, builders sand, plain clay bricks .

Thanks all!  Sorry I didn’t get back to respond sooner. We did read them all. We ended up using half bricks only. It’s a J-tube style 8” out of Erica and Ernie’s book.