Flintknapping

Flintknapping is the name of a process whereby rocks are worked and shaped into arrowheads, knives and other stone tools through either pressure flaking or percussion. That is, certain rocks can be thinned and sharpened by pressing thin flakes off the edge or by striking the edge of the rock with some sort of hammer and making a sharp edge. Ancient peoples used antlers and wood to pry off flakes on the edge of stones to make tools and weapons. They also used hammerstones and heavy antler to strike off flakes in the same manner. Not all rocks are suitable for this process. Only flint, or chert, or volcanic glass or some agates will flake properly. Modern man has kept this process alive, and flintknapping is a hobby worldwide for many people.

I have been flintknapping for about seven years, and I am becoming fairly proficient at making points and blades. It is one of the most difficult skills I have ever tried to master. I have some examples of my work that I will display here on this website. I hope you enjoy looking at them.

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Dan's bows can now be purchased through the site Primitive Pathways.

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Obsidian Blade with Deer Antler Handle

August 22, 2011

Osage Hilted Obsidian Knife

August 17, 2011

This is a mahogany obsidian knife that I made several years ago. The blade is about 8 inches long. The handle is osage orange wood and the sheath is buckskin over goat rawhide. I painted all of the decorations on the knife handle and the sheath.

Maple Hilted Obsidian Knife

August 17, 2011

The blade is obsidian. The sheath is gemsbok hide over goat rawhide with buckskin back and belt loop. The handle is spalted maple.