How to Make a Knife Out of Stone

If you ever find yourself lost in the wild, a knife can be the most valuable tool that you can have. You can use a knife to cut branches to make a shelter, hunt and butcher small animals and even strike a spark for a fire.
What if you get lost and don't have a knife? You can make one out of stone. This should be the first thing you do if you ever get lost. Though making a stone knife is a simple process, it can take some time to find and shape the stone.

Things You'll Need

• Small, oval stone
• Large, rough stone
• Small very hard stone

Instructions

1. Look for flat, gray stones--- these are flint or slate and will make the sharpest knives. If you can't find slate or flint, look for stones with shiny surfaces, which will also break apart to form very sharp knives.

2. Find another very large stone. Place the stone for your knife in a flat, clear space and hold the second stone over your head and throw it as hard as you can onto the first stone. This will break the first stone into manageable pieces. Turn your head and close your eyes after you throw the stone to protect your face.

3. Look for a pointed shard of stone about the same length as your hand. The edges should be rough, thin and sharp. You can sharpen it further if necessary.

4. Use a larger chunk of stone to sharpen the edges by tilting the knife at a 45 degree angle against the stone and rubbing it against the rough surface. Rub both sides of each edge of the knife against the stone this way. Test the edge by gently pressing your thumb against it. If it feels like the knife is about to cut you, it is sharp enough.

5. Choose one end to be the handle of the blade. This end should be less pointed than the other and fit more comfortably in your hand.

6. Dull this end to avoid cutting yourself by setting the edge at a 90 degree angle against your sharpening stone. Rasp the edge against the stone until the edge is flattened. Hold the knife in your hand and squeeze it lightly. Rasp away any sharp points or edges that dig into your hand.

7. Protect your hand even further by wrapping the handle in a handkerchief, sock or other cloth. Tie the cloth securely around the handle, tugging on it to make sure it will not slip off. Gather any more sharp-looking shards of rock and slip them in your pack or pockets. If your first knife breaks, they will come in handy.

References

• Rustic Girls
• Hoko Knife
• How to Make Useful Items From Stone: Video