Flint Knapping??

[roger-uk]

Hi

Was down near Croydon over New year and I've picked up a very l;arge flint nodule about 18" by 12".

I want to use it wothin Scouting for flint and steel firelighting.

I was only able to smuggle one into car so need to "knapp" it properly.

Any tips ideas - my first thought was googles and a large sledge hammer - My A level Geology hammer was disposed of years ago )

 

[Elines]

Flint knapping is on my list of things to do and currently i am building up a set of basic kit so can't be of real help (yet) - in meantime have a look at:

http://uk-knapping.forumotion.co.uk/t1-the-4-techniques-of-knapping

What you want to do sounds like 'Hammer and Anvil' which it says is:

'Darn right dangerous'

But I guess that if you do it away from any windows and other people and have protective clothing - especially eyes - then it is probably the only practical method open to you, in the absence of someone who knows what they are doing (which I don't).

Also a good idea to do it outside - not in a garage - when there is a breeze as the dust created by flint knapping - in large doses - causes silicosis

(more specialist/knowledgeable comments invited ....)

 

[boatman]

The conclusions on that piece with the video are wrong. Direct percussion "hammer and anvil" is how you prepare a nodule for knapping. You are not breaking a lump of concrete but a homogenous piece of brittle material through which shockwaves will travel and loosen a smaller bit. Have a look at John Lord's video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsGx1bX5Xw4&feature=player_embedded

Of course you don't pound away at a nodule, who would?

 

[John Fenna]

Actually that sounds like a "small" nodule for knapping
If it is a surface found noddule it is like as not full of faults and could be hard to knapp.
When I am breaking up surface flint for flint and steel kits I just thwack the lumps off with a hammer then hit the edges of any flat bits to try and get good flakes. Mostly the flaws in the flint ensure that I get very random lumps - but they work well for fire lighting anyway
I use a stump of wood as an anvil, a standard hammer (or if thinking I can get a good flake, a hammerstone of quartzite or other good round rock ) and hand hold rocks of a size that I can support OK (not too heavy or so small I will whack my fingers.
Be sure that any worked flint is kept out of the archeologial record by collecting all the debris and putting it in either your household rubbish or the hardcore bin at the dump.
Gloves and safety glasses are a good idea - as is wearing old and tough clothing...

 

[adestu]

Hi
I have chunks a fair size.I think there are some pics on my profile if anyone is interested.I do swaps with them.
Ade

Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk

 

[Paul W]

Croydon flint, superb, would that be from Pinewoods? that's owned by scouts I believe, just down the hill from there is a stunning flint church and plenty of other buildings too.

It's not so much what you hit the flint with but where you hit it and what shape it is.

Here's a vid of some people making (among other things) flint and steel firelighters, using modern tools, and a good demo of reducing the flint from nodule to finished product.


http://uk-knapping.forumotion.co.uk/t76-the-last-knapper

 

[roger-uk]

Croydon flint, superb, would that be from Pinewoods? that's owned by scouts I believe, just down the hill from there is a stunning flint church and plenty of other buildings too.

It's not so much what you hit the flint with but where you hit it and what shape it is.

Here's a vid of some people making (among other things) flint and steel firelighters, using modern tools, and a good demo of reducing the flint from nodule to finished product.


http://uk-knapping.forumotion.co.uk/t76-the-last-knapper

We were at Frylands near New addington for the New Year and I managed to smuggle a large piece in the car. I could have filled the boot but discretion was the better part of valour.

 

[whats wrong with you all]

...Be sure that any worked flint is kept out of the archeologial record....

What do you mean by that John?

 

[roger-uk]

What do you mean by that John?

If you work the flint then put all remains in the bin otherwise someone in 2 to 3 hundred years time will be wondering what was happening.

I have now got 3 medium pieces by looking at nodule and then gently hammering it in middle - got one nice fire lighting flake and then bang it split into 3. The flake sparks great - got a lovely graze on arm from one flying splinter

I must wear an old coat next time - had safety glasses and leather gloves on.

This is great fun.

 

[John Fenna]

What do you mean by that John?

Worked flint should not be left just anywhere - it can confuse archeologists who can mistake flint worked yesterday with prehistoric items (this will be even easier to confuse in 100 years time) so make sure all your worked bits are either put in landfil or hardcore where context will be obviously modern

 

[roger-uk]

Actually that sounds like a "small" nodule for knapping
If it is a surface found noddule it is like as not full of faults and could be hard to knapp.
When I am breaking up surface flint for flint and steel kits I just thwack the lumps off with a hammer then hit the edges of any flat bits to try and get good flakes. Mostly the flaws in the flint ensure that I get very random lumps - but they work well for fire lighting anyway
I use a stump of wood as an anvil, a standard hammer (or if thinking I can get a good flake, a hammerstone of quartzite or other good round rock ) and hand hold rocks of a size that I can support OK (not too heavy or so small I will whack my fingers.
Be sure that any worked flint is kept out of the archeologial record by collecting all the debris and putting it in either your household rubbish or the hardcore bin at the dump.
Gloves and safety glasses are a good idea - as is wearing old and tough clothing...

John,

I've probably used wrong term. I want to break flint down into useable pieces for Scouts to use with a steel for fire lighting. Anything else may come with time but that my principal aim. Looks like I'm getting there nice and slow and gentle. Brings back long memories of geology field work breaking open rocks for fossils

 

[John Fenna]

John,

I've probably used wrong term. I want to break flint down into useable pieces for Scouts to use with a steel for fire lighting. Anything else may come with time but that my principal aim. Looks like I'm getting there nice and slow and gentle. Brings back long memories of geology field work breaking open rocks for fossils

In that case - a good battering with a yammer should do the job

 

[ForgeCorvus]

Worked flint should not be left just anywhere - it can confuse archeologists who can mistake flint worked yesterday with prehistoric items (this will be even easier to confuse in 100 years time) so make sure all your worked bits are either put in landfil or hardcore where context will be obviously modern

One of the other methods is to drop a recent coin in/under your spoil heap

 

[mountainm]

One of the other methods is to drop a recent coin in/under your spoil heap

Proof of time travel! Great idea.... that'll screw with Tony, Mick and the team.

 

[John Fenna]

One of the other methods is to drop a recent coin in/under your spoil heap

Not realy that good for those who anticipate the world going on for a Looooooooooooooooooooong time - coins become more of a mineral stain long before flint decomposes .....
However - if you believe the Mayans then there is no need to worry anyway as after december this year there will be none of anything left....

 

[calgarychef]

For flint and steel you don't need to use a big nodule. Go and find little pieces and break off an edge to give you a sharp edge. I live in Woking and if you want a little demonstration on basic knapping let me know.