Little bit of glass knapping for the first time

[Dannytsg]

Have been watching quite a few videos recently on Flint and glass knapping and decided to have a middle at trying to make an arrow head.

I started out with 4 bottles, 2 Budweiser and 2 wine. I firstly removed the bottom of the bottles by putting a nail inside the bottle point down and shaking it up and down until the bottom came off.

From there is set about grinding and knapping.

The first few bottle bottoms broke and didn't work at all, the one slip showed me how sharp the glass actually is.

After cleaning my knuckle up I carried on working away and ended up with this:

It's almost razor sharp but the edge isn't quite uniform. I'm pleased with how it's turn out for a first proper try but I really need some proper tools to make the process easier.

I am definitely hooked, more arrowheads and maybe some blades to come as I practice.

 

[Clouston98]

Nicely done mate .

I tried it with flint and it is hard- and something I shall try a bit mor in future too .

 

[Cobweb]

Wow, love the last photo! Very dramatic I would love to get into knapping again, I did the lords course at the moot a few years ago and after a few goes at home, didn't really do much I'm sad to say I couldn't find a good source of flint but I think my recycling bin may be raided in the near future hahaha

Sent from the back of beyond.

 

[Macaroon]

I know nothing of knapping, but that last photo is a real brammer!

 

[Night Phoenix]

That is beautiful. A real Craft! Quite a unique thing to do as well, I am very intrigued. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Dannytsg]

I really liked the artistry of the last photo, the way the light came through was nice.

I am definately going to try and do some more but need to source some better knapping implements. I want to do it as naturally as possbile so need to find a hammer stone and get some different antler tines for soft hammering and pressurre flaking.

 

[crosslandkelly]

That last photo is lovely. I'd like to have a go at flint and glass knapping.

 

[ozzy1977]

Nice work

 

[Dannytsg]

That last photo is lovely. I'd like to have a go at flint and glass knapping.

Something very therapeutic about it. I found myself just getting lost in the making of it yesterday.

 

[Dreadhead]

nicely done, i love that last pic!

 

[crosslandkelly]

Something very therapeutic about it. I found myself just getting lost in the making of it yesterday.

I understand what you mean, when I do a bit of carving or leather work,I am totally absorbed, two hours can seem like fifteen minutes.

 

[BushBums]

Thats a great pic!

And lovely work too, the point here is that you have made a useable arrowhead/edged tool from a freely found material. The nail trick is fun just in itself Obsidian is a glass-like stone and knapps in a similar way to glass with a pressure flaker.

Knapping tools are easy enough to make yourself and i'd be happy to help there if you are not already sorted.

One thing though, I cant believe that you did it bare legged! They still use flint flakes for cosmetic surgery as it is such a fine edge, lets be careful out there!

Simon

 

[BushBums]

Just as a further note, here is something that I have cut and pasted from some of my notes:

Safety first

The edge of a flint flake can be 1 molecule thick and for this reason it is still used in cosmetic surgery due to its incredibly fine cutting ability, great for a knife but not so great for a loose flake. Because of the potential dangers while knapping, the following items are advised. To take part in this workshop they are compulsory and will be supplied.

Safety goggles/eye wear
Leather gloves
Leather leg pad
Leather work-piece holding pad

Please also consider the following:

Food and drinks should not be in the area to avoid flint entering them
Make sure the flakes fall into an area that can be cleared up
Any animals should be kept away from area to avoid treading on flint flakes

..... and after all that, you can still expect to get the occasional nick!

Happy knapping!

Simon

 

[Dannytsg]

Thanks for that BushBums. It is probably me worth mentioning that I took the process outside into the garden once I got a usable piece. I have now gotten myself some antler as well as some nice knapping stones.

 

[petrochemicals]

http://wikihow.com/Cut-a-Glass-Bottle

Try the string with meths, seen it work before, less blood!

 

[humdrum_hostage]

Is glass knapping harder than flint knapping?

I saw a video once that knocks the bottom off the bottle using a small amount of water and hitting the top with your hand. Wasn't sure if it was true but them found a scientific video showing you how it happens.

Good work though, looks great. I can't fold a piece of paper without cutting myself so I better give the glass knapping a miss lol.

 

[Dannytsg]

Is glass knapping harder than flint knapping?

I saw a video once that knocks the bottom off the bottle using a small amount of water and hitting the top with your hand. Wasn't sure if it was true but them found a scientific video showing you how it happens.

Good work though, looks great. I can't fold a piece of paper without cutting myself so I better give the glass knapping a miss lol.

Glass is a good place to start as it is apparently easier to work than flint. I found it difficult at first to get the groove of pressure flaking but once I got into it I found it quite easy.

The most frustrating thing about it all is being overzealous with one flake can ruin the whole effort/work

 

[BushBums]

Is glass knapping harder than flint knapping?

Glass is different to flint but obsidian works a little like glass as it flakes fairly predictably. Heat treating is often used to make (treatable) stones more glass like for knapping.

You are more likely to stumble accross an old bottle than a workable piece of flint when out and about due to most pieces of flint found laying around will have been subject to freezing temperatures and will most probably have developed fractures as the moisture inside froze and expanded.

So from a survivalists point of view, knapping a glass arrowhead or edged tool is a good skill. I use a lot of Obsidian as it is similar to work and offers some stunning colours etc.