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How do I get started in Flintknapping?

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Jacke

How do I get started in Flintknapping?

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Posts: 13

Feb 17 12 5:28 PM

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Hi, I recently found out about Flintknapping and I am absolutely fascinated with it. How people can shape different varieties of rocks into different varieties of weapons and tools. I am interested in this magnificent skill, and I would love to dedicate my time to learn about it. I live near a beach which has many various rocks including what I believe to be Slate.

I also have seen people turn pine sap and other materials into a reliable glue for putting the knapped rock on a handle.

I know nothing of Flintknapping and I would consider myself not even a beginner.
But I really want to learn.

Thanks.

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MarkD

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Posts: 999

Feb 17 12 6:10 PM

I am pretty much a beginner to, but the first thing is good tools you could start of with some hammerstones, and softer abrading stones all of which can be found on a rocky beach. Next is some antler tines and maybe some antler billets which can be costly unless you can get a hold of a deer. You can also go with copper tools, which can be purchased over the net. I am not sure if slate can be flintknapped but if its good slate it can be ground down into knives ect. Read some of the older posts here in the beginners forum and watch some beginners videos on youtube, paleomanjim has a lot of good vids. Next is rock you can try checking the beach for some or quarries in your area, you can purchase some here on the trade forum and neolithics.com, and ericsrocks, curtscherts. you can google these. All good stuff.

good luck.

Abo

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Posts: 345

Feb 17 12 6:22 PM

I would start by finding some knappers by you and knap with them. I tried on my own for years only seeing other knappers once or twice a year. I didn't get to far. Now I have found a knappers group and we knap once a month together. I have improved so much. I'm finally making bifaces and small points on my own. But I've made lots of gravel, lots and lots of gravel to get to the point I'm at. Thats my advice. Take it if you want. If I've would have started with a group to begin with I would be so far ahead of what I am now. Maybe thats just me.

Jacke

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Posts: 13

Feb 17 12 7:27 PM

Thanks guys, I dont really get the terms you are using though. Im not familiar with what a hammerstone is, dont know which stones are considered abrasive, And i dont know where to get a hold of antlers.
I appreciate the advice, is there somehwere i can learn all the different names of tools and how they work? As well as how to identify rocks and know if they are knappable?

I wish i knew someone who knew how to flintknap. But Im in highschool, so im not sure i would be able to learn from a stranger.

NewbowPA

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Posts: 206

Feb 17 12 7:40 PM

Jacke:
Jim Winn produced a series of videos (7 in the series, I think) specifically for beginners. They explain most everything you'll need to know to get started, including terminology. Video nuber one starts here: http://www.youtube.com/us...anjim#p/u/34/wyzNIa-U5Nc

Jacke

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Posts: 13

Feb 17 12 7:45 PM

Thanks a lot! I think ive seen the first 3 but i didn't know there were more videos. Much appreciated.

Jacke

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Posts: 13

Feb 17 12 7:48 PM

I've attempted to create a point out a a rock i found at the beach that i believe is slate. Ive tried sharpening it with sandpaper and other pieces of the rock, but i cant really get it sharp.
It has an edge, but its quite dull.

NewbowPA

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Posts: 206

Feb 17 12 9:45 PM

Slate can be ground into quite sharp edges. The Eskimos used it a lot. The Ulu knife is well known but they also made slate knives that look more like flint and metal ones. Take a look at the Stone knife post under Miscellaneous Primitive Weapons in the Prehistoric Skills Forum, just above the Flintknapping Forums.

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Archaeoshof

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Posts: 14

Feb 18 12 6:45 AM

I'd also recommend picking up "Flintknapping: Making and Understanding Stone Tools" by John C. Whittaker. You should be able to find it on amazon.com pretty easily. It is one of my favorite books on knapping and covers basic principles, history, raw materials, safety, and detailed instruction on the various methods of reduction. There are also a lot of illustrations to accompany these instructions, in case you're a very visual person like me :-) I'll also second (third? fourth?) the recommendation to try and find some knappers or "Knap ins" near you - its certainly not impossible to learn on your own, but its extremely helpful to have an experienced eye watch what your doing and tell you where you might be going wrong. Good luck!

Jacke

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Posts: 13

Feb 18 12 11:44 AM

Thanks, Im glad theres a book out there. Going to get it soon.

MarkD

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Posts: 999

Feb 18 12 7:28 PM

Another good book, is "Flintknapping The Art of Making Stone Tools" by Paul Hellweg. It is more basic and is a very good beginner book.

oogaboogachiefwalkingdeer

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Posts: 3091

Feb 18 12 7:57 PM

D C Waldorf has the best book in my own opinion. I have Whitaker and the Hellweg too but got way more out of D C's book. Mike Smyth

Jacke

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Posts: 13

Feb 18 12 10:50 PM

Thanks Mark and Mike, ill be sure to check out both those books.

Bullethead

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Posts: 1207

Feb 19 12 10:58 AM

If you can't find nearby people for face-to-face, the next best thing is video. YouTube has thousands of knapping tutorial videos, plus there are DVDs. These of course vary both in the quality of instruction: some guys are better teachers than others, some have better camera work so you can see clearly what they're talking about, others are the reverse. But you should still learn something from them all. I've certainly found these resources quite helpful.

On YouTube, I recommend the following off the top of my head:
http://www.youtube.com/user/paleomanjim#p/u/82/2yG-DZXTY7E
http://www.youtube.com/user/BOHUNTER
http://www.youtube.com/user/lwnrm8

As for DVDs,
http://www.dc-waldorf.com/moundbuilderbooks_products.htm

This of course is DC Waldorf's site. I especially recommend all the "Master's Series" DVDs on making specific points. Despite their names, the bulk of each DVD is beginner stuff: how to turn a lumpy spall or cobble into a biface, and then thinning and shaping it, overcoming problems encountered along the way. IOW, where to hit the rock when for best results, how to hold it, how to prep the platform, etc. You need this stuff regardless of what type of point you're trying to make. I've got the whole set and watch them repeatedly just to remind myself of all these details, even though I might not want to make that kind of point.

And of course the books on this page are great, too.

-Bullethead
May your flakes always run as you desire

Jacke

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Posts: 13

Feb 19 12 11:55 AM

Thanks, I've only seen Paleomanjims videos, but I am going to check out all the videos you recommended. I appreciate your advice.

Last Edited By: Jacke Feb 19 12 11:57 AM. Edited 1 times.

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How do I get started in Flintknapping?

How do I get started in Flintknapping?