How to Learn Flint Knapping
Many people enjoy walking through the woods looking for arrowheads and other historic stones that were used as weapons and tools by Native Americans. For those people who want to recapture some of the history of those ancient stone tools, the art of flint knapping is a passion. This article will tell you what you will need in order to properly shape stone into replicas of our American Indian ancestors.
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Things You'll Need
- Piece of flint
- Glove or pad
- Deer antler
- Thick piece of antler
- Hard stones for hammering that are at least the size of an egg
- Sandstone or another hard rock
- Knee pads
- Pointed piece of antler or rib
Instructions
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While flint for knapping can be purchased from knapping retailers throughout the country, it is much more rewarding to find your own stones. Productive areas for finding flint are river and creek banks and beds, freshly plowed fields, construction sites and lake beds. Other sedimentary rocks besides flint can also be used for knapping. The best bets are flint, chert, obsidian and agate.
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Start flaking and chipping the flint at one end, then work on the other end. Once you have chipped away at each end, work on the middle of the stone. This will reduce the chance of breaking the flint. Repeat this process until the flint has been reduced to the desired size for the notching and edging.
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Be aware of the angle of your strike when knapping your flint. The angle of the tool you are using to flake the flint (called the billet) will determine whether you take a small or large piece of flint with each blow. Holding the billet at a more horizontal angle will remove a longer, thinner piece of the flint.
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Once you have achieved the basic shape for the flint that you are knapping, notch the edges with a sharp piece of antler. Less pressure is needed when doing this part of the knapping process because less of the flint is being removed. Care must also be taken so the notched edge is not chipped.
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Just like with anything, you get better with practice. And though there are a number of websites and videos that offer instruction in the art of flint knapping, the best way to perfect the art is through practice. Also remember that you are going to break some rocks before you get the finished product that you desire.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure to have a first-aid kit handy; you will probably cut yourself on the sharp flint edges at some point. Have a thick protective pad on your legs while knapping. Don't hurry. Flint knapping is a hobby that takes time. Rushing will just lead to an injury.
