learn to make flint tools

I think I have some of what I’ll need, some large hard rocks, perhaps a flaking tool, and a scrap peice of leather for my hand.

I’ve got to think of a place I can lay down a tarp and begin doing it. Then I’m going to try and get a glass cutter at HD and use it to remove the bottoms of a few glass bottles I’ve saved. I’m thinking of using the rest of the bottles for some stained glass projects I’m going to be working on in the future.

oh yes and I have band-aids, gonna need some of those too.

I have a book with a chapter on this subject in my collection that I had forgotten about. I might do a stone project soon, but I’ve also heard of people online talking about practicing with the bottoms of glass bottles. So I’ll give that a go when I have a place and time to try it out.

I feel like I’m making progress, however, I have yet to make anything that is up to the standard of quality I expect from myself…

The Blue Ridge Mountains are so incredibly beautiful and there is so much greenstone of every conceivable size and shape. I have so much of this durable and shapeable material. Plenty to finally make an adz, and axe, a hammer and even a beautiful tomahawk… Isn’t mother earth good to us?

I am actually dreaming about all of the incredible things I want to make with this ancient art… I am most anxious to make a flint bowie knife, that’s right, a flint bowie knife!!! Can you picture that? My creations are going to be in museums someday and among them will be this majestic creation, a monumental achievement in the flint knapping hall of fame…

I’ve just learned that YouTube has flintknapping videos. While actually doing it will be important, these could help you learn the vocabulary used and some of the basics of the techniques. I’ll probably end up watching several of these. I hope the link works. There’s a long list of related videos that look like they;re of the same man.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyC0WvdWSoA&feature=related

Knowledge is never a waste of ones time. A particular set or piece of knowledge may not necessarily serve you immediately, but chances are it will eventually become an asset to you in a real world, real time situation…

I found a place near where I live, out in the desert, that offers a 3-day flintknapping workshop. That would be perfect, but it’s not being offered this quarter, and the registration fee is over two hundred dollars. So, either this is going to be quite a long-term goal, or I need to find another place that teaches it, or I’m going to have to teach myself. Now that would be entertaining to watch.

OK. I ain’t good. I couldn’t keep up with a chimp, but I do understand the theory and have the cuts on my hands to show I can make sharp things. I’ve chewed sinew, thrown an atlatl, destroyed a large amount of obsidian, and had a great time.

I’m going to go ahead and say I’ve done this, even though I’ll need more practice before I can say I’m any good. I do have a few pieces of obsidian so look out paleolithic bunnies, I’m going to get ya. (In a few years they might need to be afraid.)

I’m looking forward to this one. I accidentally “talked” a co-worker into taking the class too.