Knapping day in central Scotland

[Toddy]

This is a post to see how much interest there would be for a one day meeting, probably in Lanarkshire, with the focus on flint knapping.

I've been trying to sort this one out for over a month now, and I keep hitting the wall of Risk Assessment and Public Liability.

If you would like to come, it will be at your own recognisance that there will be little bits of sharp stuff flying around. You will be responsible for your own safety, glasses and gloves will be available ( as will a first aid kit ) but while every intention is to have no injuries, I've yet to try this without getting little nicks and I can't see us coughing up £300 for a days activity accident insurance.

Sorry to be a pain about it, but I think it's better to get that sorted out and as clearly explained as I can, up front.

The intention has been to organise a day over the Easter holiday, perhaps 17th April if possible.
Anybody else want to come and play?

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[Graham_S]

sounds like fun. pity i can't do that date.
however, i have a natural ability to turn good flint into rubble so i'm probably best off avoiding the area

 

[Big Geordie]

Love to join you. Can bring eye wash and first aid kit too!
George :You_Rock_

 

[Grooveski]

I've looked forward to the prospect of this ever since being told about BcUK. You know I'm interested!

I have a big pile of flint. Not much cop at judging weights but say 150 litres. Plenty for folk to make some rubble and not feel bad about wastage.
Some of it is about as good as it gets and there is no wastage. It all goes as microliths or drill bits or into firelighting kits.
Guess all I'm saying is don't worry about wastage, it's not an issue. The material was fun to collect and when it's all gone it'll be fun collecting more .

I'll also bring some greenstone for anyone who fancies starting a polished axe.
....and some dry shafts/handles/hafting materials and other assorted gubbins.


Josh

 

[Grooveski]

P.S. A party-pack of plasters will be required and some insulating tape(cheers Goose) will be more use than all the rest of a standard first aid kit.

 

[MagiKelly]

I might be able to make it but will not be sure of my plans for Easter Monday till much nearer the time.

 

[JFW]

I'm up for it but will have to check what our plans are for that day.

cheers

JFW

 

[JohnC]

I'd be interested, but may not get that day off

 

[stuart f]

Hi all, i would love to come along to this as i have never knapped before. But i,m going to be working in Blair Atholl on that date. Now i,m miffed bl**dy work always gets in the way.

 

[Toddy]

Okay, so it seems we want to do this, and a Mega-thanks to Grooveski for volunteering so much stuff :You_Rock_ (there's a pun there, sorry ) but the date isn't the best; I've been in touch with four others on the forum who'd like to come but can't manage that date either.
Re-think time I suspect.
I'll see what I can do, but any suggestions welcomed.

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[Graham_S]

is the flintknapping going to take place at the brownlee?

 

[Toddy]

We've been trying to avoid getting flint shards on the Brownlee site since we'd like to camp there more frequently and the little bits literally stay sharp for millenia.
I've been trying to arrange for one of the country parks, but though the Rangers are very much for the idea, I keep hitting the wall of H & S and Public Liability .....soooo, a friend has suggested an overgrown quarry owned by a farmer friend as being suitable, besides he practices with a shotgun there and Monarch should be persuadeable that a flintlock musket would be an excellent demonstration of flint knapped pieces in action.
There's firewood available there too since the local landscape gardeners dump their prunings nearby, and the farmer sets fire to them every so often.
Now I'm just waiting for the farmer to say, "Aye, or, no." to the idea and then find a more suitable date.
I think you can start suggesting dates that you can manage to come.

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[jamesoconnor]

if its still ok could i come along to this? i never saw this thread till today.

regards
james

 

[match]

I'll put my name down for this also - knapping is one of those things that whenever I've tried results in, well, smaller lumps of flint Need to learn how to make USEFUL smaller lumps of flint

Dates: Any weekend in May except the first one (around 6th?) would suit me...

 

[Doc]

Don't know how I missed this thread. I'm surely interested too, subject to other committments, etc.

 

[Graham_S]

Doc could be a useful person to have along,
if we're lucky (and someone is careless) we could get another wound stitching demo.

 

[Toddy]

I don't know, traumatised fruits again

Actually that's a *very* good idea. Hopefully a weekend in mid May, though I was trying for earlier it just isn't working for most folks.
Anybody up for a Brownlee visit before then, even just a really long day one? The parking over the river is a longer walk in but easier to access and probably more secure too. If we're not lugging camp style stuffs, just what's on our backs, it's fine. I think I'm going up tomorrow for a walk and have a look see.

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[jamesoconnor]

im up for a visit to Brownlee if it goes ahead!

regards
james

 

[gregorach]

Could be interested in both the knapping day and a Brownlee visit, depending on dates, other commitments, etc...

 

[stuart f]

I would be interested but like i said before it would be work dependant,as per usual.Are there any dates being batted around yet or am i jumping the gun.