Flint Knapping

[Paul W]

Been around here for long enough (6 years, mostly just reading) and always resisted the temptation to show off, but being as others are doing it, I resist no longer.

Here's some knapping I did over Christmas and the New Year.


Some Brazilian Agate

All made from small fragments of flint found on the Thames beach after watching Primitivepathways excellent "Flint Knapping the Impossible" series on you tube, where you knap lengthways rather widthways. A super vid to learn from if you have trouble getting good flint. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usNw3UWRTNg&feature=related

I collected some pebbles from the Thames to try an make an Oldawan pebbel tool, had a few spare so decided to see if they could be made into arrowheads. Most difficult Knapping I ever did, never again.

Three are from decent NorfolK flint nodules so much easier to knap than the above stuff, the translutent brown stuff from the Thames. Strangest flint I've ever picked up, almost glasslike to knap. See the fossils inside, not often you get to see inside flint.

Some knife blades (will most likely never see a handle, I've got dozens from years back, never seem to make the handles), the middle one is obsidian the other two dacite slabs. This is the easiest kind of knapping.

Some larger stuff, mostly mahogany obsidian.

Anyway, that's the last two months.

 

[Mesquite]

That is stunning work Paul, thanks for showing us it all.

You ever thought of giving lessons?

 

[WeThePeoplexfbm]

great work ^^ hehe put them ni the ground then dig them up and sya there couple millon years old or somethink XD

 

[John Fenna]

Wow!
All I have made are a couple of leaf type arrowheads, some scrapers ...and "dangerous gravel"...
Impressed!

 

[Home Guard]

Wow, im impressed. I found a knapped spearhead the other day. I love the workmanship that goes into these.

 

[JAG009]

Very impressive indeed, looks like you have been doing that for some time!

Jason

 

[Paul W]

That is stunning work Paul, thanks for showing us it all.

You ever thought of giving lessons?

Maybe one day when I'm a bit better.

Also you need a decent garden and supply of flint.

 

[JAG009]

Maybe one day when I'm a bit better.

Also you need a decent garden and supply of flint.

Me thinks your selling yourself a bit short there !

 

[Tilia]

Been around here for long enough (6 years, mostly just reading) and always resisted the temptation to show off, but being as others are doing it, I resist no longer

;D

Maybe one day when I'm a bit better.

Also you need a decent garden and supply of flint.

first really nice work, and i know what you mean with the quote above, there are so many beautiful flint-works and some knappers make it look so easy that I'm always humbled when i see that

 

[Baggy]

Hi Paul

I love it when a utility item is also beautiful which is what you have managed, "cracking" work

 

[Paul W]

This is old stuff, but if you like eye candy. Not as difficult to make as the above, but more visually impressive. Paleo people's made decorative stuff as well as functional.


Rose Quartz

Fibre Optic Glass

Chert

Opal

Rainbow Obsidian

 

[Willderness]

Wow, great job. Thanks for sharing... it's not showing off, it's offering inspiration! And it's definitely inspirational.

 

[Baggy]

Hiya

This is old stuff, but if you like eye candy. Not as difficult to make as the above, but more visually impressive. Paleo people's made decorative stuff as well as functional.

That is wonderful stuff, thanks for posting them.


ATB
Mark

 

[oggy]

Paul w, how long have you been practicing, to get to that standard?

very nice work b.t.w.

 

[Loenja]

wow man how long you been knapping??
those are great

 

[Si1entDave]

Some lovely pieces, wonderful to see people still practising arts that most probably think died out in the stone age.

Reminded me of this lovely example:

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/07/primitive-knife-knapped-from-fiber.html

 

[Paul W]

Thanks for the complements, I've been knapping for 7 years now.

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/07/primitive-knife-knapped-from-fiber.html

This is the style you see in most commercially for sale products made in, it creates highly beautiful pieces very quickly and relatively easily. It uses a technique known as FOG (Flake Over Grind). You grind the knife into its finished shape on a grinding wheel and then do a single layer of pressure flaking over the top. I've often heard some non-knappers presume it to be cheating, but it's an authentic technique used by several copper/bronze age peoples. I've not tried it, but one day would love to.

 

[Tilia]

did you make those knives with slabs?
if yes where do you get slabs?

what r you using as hammer?

stone, antler or copper?

 

[Paul W]

PM'd with address of supplier.

 

[Grooveski]

Lovely work. Thanks for letting us see it.