Tools for Flint Knapping

Chimpanzees and humans have been making tools for a long, long time.

Humanity began making and using tools of wood, grass or bark long ago, but since such materials decay fairly quickly, the oldest artifacts of human technology we have tend to be made of stone. Still, although it might not be the oldest technology, it may have been one of the most important. Even today, knowing how to fashion serviceable stone tools can be a valuable survival skill, as well as an enlightening hobby for those interested in the lives of ancient humans.

Personal Protection Gear

Flint, chert and obsidian are used to make stone tools because of the very sharp edges they can be given when fractured. Not surprisingly, this means it's possible to cut yourself by accident, not only from the tools you are making and using but also from flying chips of sharp stone. Safety goggles, leather gloves and a leather apron are good ways to protect yourself from accidental injury.

Billets, Batons and Hammers

Much of the work of shaping stone tools involves percussion, or striking the stone so as to break it in controlled ways. Flint knappers use a variety of different tools for this, depending on the nature of the task, the size of the stone and individual personal preferences. Some use commercially made copper billets, while others prefer to use more traditional batons of antler or bone. Perhaps the simplest is an ordinary hammerstone, made of quartz or granite and found in a streambed.

Abrasives

Abraders are used to polish and smooth the surface of the flint after it has been chipped into the desired shape. There are many modern abraders available commercially, offering a range of grit sizes and designs for various specialized tasks. The more traditionally inclined will carefully select a hard piece of sandstone, with a smooth, flat regular surface.

Notchers, Ishi Sticks and Pressure Flakers

Percussion tools are rarely precise enough for fine detail work, such as creating a notch in the base of an arrowhead, and so for this kind of task, flint knappers use other tools, known variously as notchers and Ishi sticks. In general, these consist of a sturdy handle with a strong, narrow point on the end. Some flakers are made with the tips of antlers. A nail in the end of a wooden stick also makes a serviceable pressure flaker.

References

• Wyatt R. Knapp: What Do You Really Need to Start Flint Knapping?
• The Knapper's Corner: Flintnapping Introduction

Resources

• Wyatt Knapp: Flintknapping
• The Knapper's Corner