Hello All!
Months ago, I read an article in Backwoodsman about flint knapping. I think being able to make stone tools is one of the most valuable primitive skills that you can have. Motivated by the article, I took on it's suggestion of starting with the bottom of glass bottles. Since I am in Iraq, I had to make do with tools. Even with the lack of tools, the results weren't too bad.
With that taste in my mouth, I wanted some more. She bought and sent me some additional tools and books from
http://www.flintknappingtools.com/kits.html (the introductory kit was what she bought).
I kept practicing and decided that I needed some hands on instruction. I asked her to look for a knap in.
When I was home for R&R, my she signed us up for a weekend workshop at a place in Southern Florida called Green Earth Survival School. She emphasized to Hank (the instructor) that I was really wanting instruction flint knapping. He obliged. Hank had us practice with glass tiles from the hardware store and I have to say that for a beginner, it is a very forgiving material to work with. I am not going to get into the specifics of knapping because there is too many online articles, books, and DVDs that cover the topic. I think my real purpose here was to encourage others to give it a try. It's not that hard.
Some of the tools we used:
A glass tile taking shape:
A nearly finished point (needs some more thinning and pressure flaking):
Me nugging it out:
Since this workshop included others, firemaking and cordage making was covered. I had already had extensive experience in this with this. Practice is important and I was very appreciative for that reason. It's also good to hear others' insight on material, preparation, and their local knowledge (every region is different).
Here is Hank's website:
http://www.greenearthsurvivalschool.com/If you are ever in S. FL and need something to do, give him a call.
Back to reality for me.
