Need Help on Flint Napping

[dakota]

I am new to the site and would like some help and advice on Flint Napping. I just recently became intrested in flint napping, im only 14 years old and I wanted to know what it was like for a Native American making an arrowhead. So I would like to learn to knapp, and make a knife or arrowhead. I could really use some help, thank you.

[Steve Valentine]

Welcome to the board dakota.

Go to YouTube and put in Flint Knapping and I'm pretty sure there are quite a few videos on the subject. Also, if you are really serious there are web sites where you can buy flint and the tools needed to knapp out points. Good luck and be prepared for very sore hands and fingers when you first start. I tried my hand at it once and you get a lot of little cuts and it's inevitable that you will miss a few times and hit yourself while trying to knapp out a piece. Also, be sure to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from the flint chips.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[drdave514]

Flint knapping Tools & FlintKnapping Kits

Texas Knapper Supply

[Cannonman17]

Years of knapping will also give you arthritus I found out.

[uniface]

http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/for...iscussion.html

[jackcrafty]

Hello Dakota! Youtube is a great place to start if you want to see how the pro's do it. Keep in mind that flintnapping takes a long time to master and you will get frustrated in the beginning because you will break a lot of arrowheads by accident and your points might not look as good as the ones on youtube. Keep trying, and once you start getting the hand of it you will enjoy it quite a bit.

You can also look up flintknappers in your area (google search) and go to a group "knap-in" where flintknappers get together and share their knowledge and experience. I recently found a group in Odessa, TX (very close to where I live in Midland) and I'm sure there are other groups close to you. There's no substitute for personal, hands-on guidance.

[NorthTxHunter]

Dakota,

Ive been knapping for about 6 months now and I am just now starting to get some decent points. Here is what I have learned so far.

First of all, WEAR HAND AND EYE PROTECTION. As a beginner you will not be able to predict where the flakes will detach.

1.) Make or buy some sturdy antler or copper tools.
2.) Get some good soft rock to start on. I started on some chert that had been in a grass fire and it was very hard to flake and it was frustrating to learn on.
3.) Get good at percussion flaking-abrade everytime and hit below the center line and practice on getting long flakes that travel at least half way across the rock.
4.) After you can percussion flake practice on pressure flaking for the final shaping, notching and sharpening.
5.) Hit LOTS of rock. I have started about 100 points and I have about 5 that I didnt break and that I am proud of.
6.) Have fun and have lots of band aids handy.

Send me your e-mail address and I will send you a very good free tutorial I found on the net.

[jcinpc]

go to paleoplanet and there is some awesome people on here, alot from Tx you have some good rock dealers on there too from Tx maybe they could point you in the right area for rocks.

Flintknapping - General Discussion - Flintknapping Forums - PaleoPlanet - Message Board

[tomclark]

Here's and important tool for modern flintknappers. Go out and get you one!

[Gibby]

Why would a hammer be an important tool for a modern flintknapper ?