When trying to learn to flintknap using little material is just as valuable as the big material. The same principle for knapping tiny material can be applied to the big stuff. When I first started I would practice with tiny pebbles and using hammerstones for hours. I was not trying to make anything rather trying to understand the cone pattern with force, preparation, and angles. Once I can conceptualize what I am doing before striking is the key. You can have the best tools, material, and effort, but you will only end up with dust if you don't understand the hertzian cone. At the beginning in your journey it is better for you to prepare the platform and plan for fifteen minutes or more before you even strike. When you have time and experience under your belt you can manipulate the process to your will easily without thinking. However, when you are starting the connections in your brain are not developed and it will seem obnoxious. With time and hundreds of pounds of rock you begin to understand like any other skill with determination. Doing it all the time builds the connections faster and after practicing, experimenting, doing different types of styles you can see it as a chess game rather than a chore.

I’m just going on my opinion but those from what I can tell look authentic idk

Hey Brad hope you are well. Enjoyed the video.

I made a Kirk corner noth from some buffalo river chert a little smaller than this. I love that rock

If the lead separates from the copper its no different than a regular one but that's a cool idea

Good video, buddy.

I'm happy to see so far the heads are holding up, I haven't even made one for myself yet lol, just you and Danny have that style, I really appreciate you testing them out, I weighed one of the bolts it is 7 Grams, there is definitely extra lead because I really need to get coverage over the bolt head, if things work out well I will start making them to sell next year, I like the stories,if those "things" fly over Preble County I'll be sending them to you for a wall mount lol, if you start a guide service on the river I'll be your first customer pal

Thanks for sharing. Great tool

My Uncle, Eddie May, a taxidermist from S. INDIANA as well(taught me to mount whitetail)used to know a group of guys from Georgia and he would go once a year and get a pig with a blade and said the same thing...really cool

Sounds like you were a regular Crocodile Dundee!

Been using them for years. Game changers

4:57 cool cat. This is a helpful video for young people.

Good to see Valerie and D.C Waldorf,s work in frame .

Sooo clean 😊

Killer finds ! Congratulations

Sent you an email, Brad.

How can I buy some I'm in Canada ontario

Wow, that's some good looking pieces. Thanks for the video.

Those look fantastic, I think I will pick some up. Mike is a great craftsman!

That is a really good idea with replacement heads. Ready for some video usage now.

Really 😂 good work. Thank you

Fine work. Thank you

You pronounce my last name correctly!😁 when I order a pizza my last name is Smith lol, the hand pads are available and the wooden handled Boppers on Danny's website, and you are correct that is Delrin and I do turn it on the lathe I leave that texture on there for grip is kind of a corded feel, I am a finish Carpenter by trade, and the metal inserts for the slotted pads that was Danny's good idea, appreciate the shout out and I'm glad you like them, and yes I tried to pay attention to detail especially ergonomics, also the heavier filled caps means you don't have to swing as hard and lose accuracy, keep your toes under your chair the first few wacks of the experimental Bopper lol, I hope they work out because this should save people money over the long run especially the serious knappers that do a lot of production

The whole set looks extremely nice. Great idea, interchangeable heads. I can see potential difficulties, but it is still INNOVATIVE! The pressure pads look so nice, I'd almost be afraid to use them. Almost lol. Tell Mike we are chomping at the bit, waiting to order the whole set.

That's a good idea I'll have to make one for knapping on the creek

Thanks for the tutorial buddy. That is most of my knapping. Don't get very big pieces to start out with.

Outstanding job!

Excellent video....keep them coming....Thanks

Nice work and result! Did you say "Bifurcated" meaning forked?

Thanks for the video.

Thanks, helped me a lot! Keep them coming!

Great job Brad, you dont see a lot of those down tenn. way

That is a sweet MacCorckle I really enjoy those bifurcated points. Not to mention some helpful advice as always.

Beautiful point. Nice work, too. I love your clear explanations of what you are doing.

Nice Turkey Tail too….my favorite point style.

Always good to see the friendly cat.

Excellent teaching lecture!

Nice job now I am waiting on video number three, and I am learning a lot

Great job my brother keep it up

Great video! Can I ask what you're using for your billet? I took a lithics class many years ago in undergrad and we used little copper billets, from what I recall. We were knapping obsidian and chert our professor had imported, but basalt is the most common rock available where I live.

That is a chunk of heat treated Burro Creek AZ pastilite I sent to you! :) Just cooked two turkey roaster loads of that and various chalcedonies and opal from the spot.

Excellent job of explaining. Thanks.

Thanks for the video.

Been waiting on a vid..out of everyone prob my favorite ti learn from and watch

-outstanding Brad, you are a natural teacher. Best beginner video I’ve seen. Keep it up.

That's Jeff city chert Brad

Thanks for taking us along 👍. Your cat is too funny. It just loves getting into your chips.

Excellent video. This is probably the best one for beginners who want to learn freehand direct percussion. This style of knapping is a lot more fun than lap knapping and indirect. I've been knapping 2 years and still have difficulty. I struggle with shaping and symmetry and judging when to preserve width and when to get rid of it. I have noticed that hanging onto width can work against me at times. I don't understand how you got so good so quickly. Did you have a mentor or did you just pick it up from youtube?

Great video Brad. Love that material, welcome back, you know what you want to say, but its hard to pou it in words

Very informative