For a while, I have had a desire to learn to flint knap (given I live in a cottage made of the stuff and you can’t walk 10’ round here without falling over it, it seemed an interesting thing to learn).
So, having looked carefully around, it appeared that the consensus was the “master of the art” was John Lord. I found his website and contacted John. He offered me a variety of dates and we arranged to meet today. He was happy to spend a day just teaching me. I explained that I’d like to bring Bushbaby and he was happy to teach us both (for the same price) but that he liked to keep the numbers small for his “tuition days” to ensure he really devoted time to each student.
We pitched up at John’s lovely cottage about 9:30 and were warmly greeted by Val (John’s wife) who had the kettle on. Inside 5 minutes we were chattering away like old friends, drinking coffee and looking at some of the magnificent pieces of art and flint in Johns home.
After we had got to know one another, John led us out to his garden (knapping is best done outside to avoid the risk of silicosis). The weather was threatening rain but we sat outside John’s poly tunnel knowing we could dart inside if the thunderstorm broke (it did just before lunch and we moved inside the poly tunnel where John’s fantastic ox hide coracle hung).
John took some time to understand what we wanted to achieve. We described out local flint nodules and John found a piece just like our local Hampshire stuff. He asked what we wanted to achieve (well duh – axes of course
). Our initial demonstration was then John turning a large nodule into a beautiful flaked axe head
Large nodule
Axe Head
Then it was hands on for us. We have never had a more attentive tutor. Initially John developed a “core” for us from which we struck a variety of blades. John stayed with us – often almost nose to nose, every step of the way. He explained not only the techniques, but what each blade type was used for. He worked through the use of hard hammers (quartzite stones) and soft hammers (antler). We then learned about pressure flaking the blades to develop them with antler and copper tipped antler
Pressure flaking
Abrading a piece of flint to develop a platform
BB getting tuition
At lunch we went to the local pub (which John insisted was his treat – we wrangled about that) and had a great meal – then back for more knapping
John moved on to showing us how to divide the largest of nodules
We both took some time to develop hand axes from a large piece of flint
If a ham fisted guy like me can go from this
To this (my “hand axe” in progress) in just a few minutes, then I think the quality of teaching speaks for itself
We finished the day, taking our pieces with us along with the magnificent axe head John made.
All in all, a fabulous day – informative, entertaining and the time just flew by.
The most amazing thing was the price – John charged us just £100 for the whole day for both of us with lunch thrown in. I can hardly imagine many leading authorities on a subject will give 8 hours private tuition to two people for such a sum.
If flint knapping interests you, I heartily recommend a day with John and Val – have a look at their website – you won’t regret it!
http://www.flintknapping.co.uk/
Red
So, having looked carefully around, it appeared that the consensus was the “master of the art” was John Lord. I found his website and contacted John. He offered me a variety of dates and we arranged to meet today. He was happy to spend a day just teaching me. I explained that I’d like to bring Bushbaby and he was happy to teach us both (for the same price) but that he liked to keep the numbers small for his “tuition days” to ensure he really devoted time to each student.
We pitched up at John’s lovely cottage about 9:30 and were warmly greeted by Val (John’s wife) who had the kettle on. Inside 5 minutes we were chattering away like old friends, drinking coffee and looking at some of the magnificent pieces of art and flint in Johns home.
After we had got to know one another, John led us out to his garden (knapping is best done outside to avoid the risk of silicosis). The weather was threatening rain but we sat outside John’s poly tunnel knowing we could dart inside if the thunderstorm broke (it did just before lunch and we moved inside the poly tunnel where John’s fantastic ox hide coracle hung).
John took some time to understand what we wanted to achieve. We described out local flint nodules and John found a piece just like our local Hampshire stuff. He asked what we wanted to achieve (well duh – axes of course

Large nodule

Axe Head

Then it was hands on for us. We have never had a more attentive tutor. Initially John developed a “core” for us from which we struck a variety of blades. John stayed with us – often almost nose to nose, every step of the way. He explained not only the techniques, but what each blade type was used for. He worked through the use of hard hammers (quartzite stones) and soft hammers (antler). We then learned about pressure flaking the blades to develop them with antler and copper tipped antler
Pressure flaking

Abrading a piece of flint to develop a platform

BB getting tuition

At lunch we went to the local pub (which John insisted was his treat – we wrangled about that) and had a great meal – then back for more knapping
John moved on to showing us how to divide the largest of nodules

We both took some time to develop hand axes from a large piece of flint
If a ham fisted guy like me can go from this

To this (my “hand axe” in progress) in just a few minutes, then I think the quality of teaching speaks for itself

We finished the day, taking our pieces with us along with the magnificent axe head John made.
All in all, a fabulous day – informative, entertaining and the time just flew by.
The most amazing thing was the price – John charged us just £100 for the whole day for both of us with lunch thrown in. I can hardly imagine many leading authorities on a subject will give 8 hours private tuition to two people for such a sum.
If flint knapping interests you, I heartily recommend a day with John and Val – have a look at their website – you won’t regret it!
http://www.flintknapping.co.uk/
Red