Knapping

[Sniper-T]

The basics:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flint
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chert
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsidian
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz

http://www.turnstone.ca/rom76ch.htm

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An easy substitute for actual stone, which is cheap for practicing, and will actually hold up under use (depending on the target) is glass! The bottom of any glass bottle is thick enough to knap into arrowheads. So next time you're enjoying a few pints... smash em up and start knapping

[Grumpy Old Man]

Here are a couple of links for supplies and tutorials.

Supplies:

http://www.nativewayonline.com/ http://www.neolithics.com/index.html

Tutorials:

http://www.flintknapping.com/Library.htm http://www.units.muohio.edu/dragonfl.../LITHICS.shtml http://www.onagocag.com/knapping.html

I have more links if people are interested.

[Dropy]

Uhh...with all due respect Glass takes a special skill to knap...well. Start with some stanrd stones first. We used to fire our stone to bring out the color of it, kmade for some neautiful stuff!

[Sniper-T]

firing it also changes it's properties as well. it seems to tighten up the grain, and you can get longer smaller flakes off (for retouching).

Glass is a little different, yes... but it is something that almost everyone has around, and come SHTF, there will be a plentiful supply. Having some skill knapping it could be beneficial. If you have an abundance of good stone around, by all means, but for those who don't, this is a good alternative

[Dropy]

Agree. My point a bit better articulated is a person should not expect glass to nap like stone. So if all you knap is stone you will have a hard time gett glass to do what you want it do..... which never happens anyways. So if you forsee having to knap glass then start doing it now so your used to it.

And one thing i FIRMLY believe is that EVERY piece of material wants to be a particular shape, dont try and make it into what it dont wanna be. You gotta LEARN how to read your material and find out what it wants to be so you can easily help it become that shape.

[ak474u]

Glass is really hard to work, it'd work in a pinch, but you might lose your mind trying. Flint and "chirt" (sp) and agates, as well as Jaspers are pretty readily available just about everywhere in the CONUS that I've traveled. I used to make arrowheads and knife blade (taught myself to make them at summer camp because the other kids didn't wanna play with me, lol). I used a round skinny stone, and a thick leather palm cover to protect myself against the sharp edges.

[IDTANDY]

Knapping skills are good to have.The weapon point of choice for Paleoindian(man).I learned over a couple of months,not to the point of reproduction Clovis points but enough if needed.this was my fifth try.

[ak474u]

Knapping skills are good to have.The weapon point of choice for Paleoindian(man).I learned over a couple of months,not to the point of reproduction Clovis points but enough if needed.this was my fifth try.

That's purdy mr. Caveman!

[Sniper-T]

...And one thing i FIRMLY believe is that EVERY piece of material wants to be a particular shape, dont try and make it into what it dont wanna be. You gotta LEARN how to read your material and find out what it wants to be so you can easily help it become that shape.

Well put!!

[bacpacker]

Thanks for the links guys. Lot of good info in those.