Flint knapping/splitting...?

[The Big Lebowski]

I bought a traditional (as much as) flint and striker from the makers market on here and its a superb bit of kit for the money, one happ chappy!

One small issue i have though is i dont actually know how to break down the two rather large chunks of flint i was kindly provided.

I've never actually split flint before, just using a sharp edge of one of the rocks until now... But I'm all out of edges.

I dont want to ruin some perfectly good flint by clouting it with a hammer in the hope of some usable shards, or is that basically my only option?

Can anyone offer advice please?

Cheers, al.

 

[Tim Rast]

If you are stuck without any good angles you could try splitting the core using the bipolar technique. It doesn't give you a lot of control over the finished pieces, but its good for cracking into pieces that are otherwise exhausted. Here's a good, brief youtube clip that shows you how to do it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ5pmxfbnQY

 

[GordonM]

If you are talking about small pieces of flint, try to pressure flake the edges to give a sharper angle to strike against. Not sure what your striker looks like / design, but some of the stikers have a chipping claw(s) on the ends (like here http://jas-townsend.com/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=361), instead of just curled in. If your striker is not fully curled, then use the pointy end of the striker to pressure flake and dress the edge.

Hope I've not confused you.

Gordy

 

[The Big Lebowski]

Thanks for the speedy reply guys!

I'll look into the link above now. With regards to the striker... its just the traditional 'C' shape that fits over four fingers and the scrolls are turned in, so its pretty much fully curled.

They are considerable pieces of flint!

 

[GordonM]

There are many ways to skin a cat...My approach would be to pressure flake what you have. I would try to dress those by pressure flaking the edge with a good (hard) 16d nail, it will do in a pinch. Something similar in diameter to the nail, but in copper would be even better.

Gordy

 

[Whittler Kev]

everyone says to strike the flint with a glancing blow. Try to rest the striker on the flint edge and then quickly draw it down. It's the way I recommend with the strikers I make and a flint edge last ages and ages. Methinks I should do a video on this you know

 

[The Big Lebowski]

Thanks Gordy, this is fairly new to me flint wise. By pressure flaking would you mean securing the flint on say, an old towel and then chipping with the nail?

I've seen it being done by hand in video's, but these where smaller bits and just done with human pressure in the hand on a section of thick leather. Appol's for my lack of technique in this department but i thought i would try something a little more challenging than the ferro rod, although its always staying very close by!

al.

 

[The Big Lebowski]

everyone says to strike the flint with a glancing blow. Try to rest the striker on the flint edge and then quickly draw it down. It's the way I recommend with the strikers I make and a flint edge last ages and ages. Methinks I should do a video on this you know

A video might not be such a bad idea kev

Problem is, I'm all out of edges, so splitting seems the only option now... I just tried your method, but pretty much all of the flint is now blunt.

al.

 

[GordonM]

Also, buffing the edge of the flint, just a little bit, with sandpaper will give a little area for the steel to grab. You might try that before flaking.

Gordy

 

[GordonM]

By pressure flaking would you mean securing the flint on say, an old towel and then chipping with the nail?

I've seen it being done by hand in video's, but these where smaller bits and just done with human pressure in the hand on a section of thick leather. Appol's for my lack of technique in this department but i thought i would try something a little more challenging than the ferro rod, although its always staying very close by!

al.

Yes, the idea to protect your leg & hand. As far as the flakes, we are looking for tiny chips. It will not take much pressure, at all, to dress up a side. If the buffing does not work, do a few tiny chips in a row, across the face, and see how that works for you.

Gordy

 

[The Big Lebowski]

Sounds good...
I might sit in the workshop tomorrow with some gloves and glasses and try a nail with small chips in a row as you say, or small ball pin hammer to see if i can work some shards off.

I guess i have a fair enough quantity to work out through trial and error how flint actually seperates.

At least it will be a learning curve and i should hopefully be left with a usable quantity!

 

[MSkiba]

Im still trying to find some near manchester =( been looking for months. I "think" i found some, but its a tiny bit. Where should I be looking?

Sorry for the thread hijack, looking at your chunks makes me jelous. *insert joke here*

 

[GordonM]

I guess i have a fair enough quantity to work out through trial and error how flint actually seperates.

At least it will be a learning curve and i should hopefully be left with a usable quantity!

That, to me, is the most important part of doing it...finding out how it works for you! Have fun and let us know how it goes.

Gordy

 

[The Big Lebowski]

Im still trying to find some near manchester =( been looking for months. I "think" i found some, but its a tiny bit. Where should I be looking?

Sorry for the thread hijack, looking at your chunks makes me jelous. *insert joke here*

LoL! If i succeed (thats a big if) i'll post you some up with the rods...

 

[The Big Lebowski]

That, to me, is the most important part of doing it...finding out how it works for you! Have fun and let us know how it goes.

Gordy

Will do Gordy, and i appreciate the advice given! from yourself and others.

Regards, al.

 

[GordonM]

The worst that can happen is you break the bigger piece with the ball peen hammer. Then you will have one or more smaller pieces with great working edges.

Gordy

 

[dwardo]

Im still trying to find some near manchester =( been looking for months. I "think" i found some, but its a tiny bit. Where should I be looking?

Sorry for the thread hijack, looking at your chunks makes me jelous. *insert joke here*

We dont have any flint around these parts, gotta go a lot further north or south. I beleive there are bits in northwales but few and far between.
You need to find chalk and then you will sometimes find flint. Unless someone has a chunk in a posh garden wall or driveway.

 

[MSkiba]

I see.. how far north, you recon the lakes will have some?

Sorry but my geology is poor

 

[dwardo]

I did have a picture of the UK somewhere, i will try to dig it out. I beleive south is better. You can find flint on many beaches which is find for firesteels but not much cop for knapping as its been knocked about too much. If i remember rightly draw a line from south wales upto the north of east anglia and its south from there. Maybe someone will be able to find the picture before me

 

[sasquatch]

LoL! If i succeed (thats a big if) i'll post you some up with the rods...

Just lay a cloth over the biggest piece and whack it with a hammer. If you're left with dust you're doing it wrong! If that reaps no useable pieces let me know and I'll post you some nice bits or hand some over at North Woods...