190 - Flintknapping Texas Chert Knife From Odd Shaped Spall

[@stonehead6257]

A perfect example of how to economize stone while straightening center line and removing steps and high spots, again thank you for the “whole” vid on this. I love your patience and had work and expertise!!

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thank you!

[@jimajello1028]

I love that indirect percussion. Thin long flake removal from both sides that removed that massive stack in the lower area the Bifaces. Well done. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@Smokevolt]

nice job setting up to get that step frac out at 13:20 through 13:32. Also, this is the best camera angle ive seen on a knapping video. I haven't watched all that many, but this angle would be a good reference for anyone wanting to learn.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thanks! It took me a while to figure out a way to film at this angle ( when I first started ) and now I use this angle for almost all my videos.

[@joeyhill5498]

Really enjoyed this video in that you just worked the piece. Watching you thin the blade said more than words, really nice work.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@nelsonchajon8840]

REALLY A NICE JOB AND NICE TRANSFORMATION FROM A PIECE OF A FLAKE TO A GOOD POINT OR A KNIFE !! THANKS FOR TEACHING THE ART .

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

You're welcome.

[@andrewbenedict2076]

Man that is nice! Ive been watching your videos and learning so much. Ive been on an indirect percussion kick for about a month and a half. It's the first time in my 5 years of knapping for me to do it and I love it.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Glad to hear it. Welcome to the madness... Haha.

[@arvilmogensen1945]

You did a masterful job of creating a long point out of a piece of rock with a “twist” and an outward looking bend. The ability to see a point in the stone apiece and not mistakenly remove a flake at the wrong place was amazing work by you. Your knapping skill of course, particularly the removal of the “lump” mid-section without reducing width looked easy but I had to look at it 3-times. But making a maximum length point from the odd shape rock was in my opinion really exceptional work! Wow.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thank you very much!

[@MrKirby2367]

Well done! I sit here for hours watching this stuff. It's just fascinating

[@OntheTrailwithDale]

Seeing what you started out with and what you ended up with, is simply amazing! I have the utmost respect for you guys who can knap, truely a work of art, very impressive!!

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thanks RedEye!

[@chrisfarley6829]

A real master. It's a pleasure watching you work.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thank you.

[@TheTribeOfBenjamin]

Really like this one! It was fun to watch you get rid of that area of mass on the lower portion of the blade. It's all about using what you have and you made a pretty darn nice blade out of that funny looking spall. The material looks like some really good stuff as well. Thanks for showing!

[@flintsky5256]

I have learned a great deal from your videos. I still have much to learn but I wanted to thank you. please keep making more videos.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

This is heat treated chert from west Texas. It is very similar to heat treated Burlington chert. And the flaker does not flex. It's all in the angle, proper platform, and force of the strike.

[@jeffdowns8431]

Beautifully done Jack absolute master!

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thank you!

[@pestleman1951]

Love watching you knapp and talk. You really do have your own thing working and a it's a pleasure to watch a master artisan in play.

[@ramsa01Yt]

Thank you for sharing. I think this should be included into secondary school program - it is truly revealing and it educates us to show proper respect to our ancestors. Thank you, it is really amazing. My deepest respect to you.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@HambonesAdventures]

I've been watching your videos and post for a long time. I've learned so much from your videos your definitely my favorite flint napper to watch.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thank you!

[@PyroFalcon]

Great knapping and even greater videography!

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thank you!

[@williambuck6939]

to be able to see the blade in the piece you are working before you even started is a talent in its self ,I know you kinda got to go with what the piece will let you do ,but youre insight is WOW. AWSOME BLADE love youre videos.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Yes, I can use all the flakes that are larger than 1/2" across.

[@marciofernandobarci]

This is a true class about flinting chert - tks for it Interesting coment of Robert Corbell

[@karlkwak]

Just thank you, I am just learning how to knapp and I learned a few things here, thank you again.

[@backyardsounds]

Very good, I learned that this weekend. I also learned that if you are staring out with glass, that it's good to wear shoes and wear gloves. It looked like a scene out of Afghanistan at my house on Saturday. The wife and I played surgeon on my foot pulling out this odd shaped shared that I stepped on. I couldn't help but laugh. I'm bad about walking barefoot... Some outdoor folks will do it, I'm getting away from that.

[@EdKesokram]

I have quite recently returned to flint knapping as a hobby after about thirty-five years away, and was pleasantly surprised to locate this video after Googling the topic. I must say that your skill is unsurpassed in this craft, and I am more impressed with your technique than I was when my Native American grandfather used to take me as a boy to watch some of the "old" Indians chip their arrow-heads. You are, for lack of a better description, amazing! I am curious about one aspect of your style, however, because the video didn't show it and it seems to be different than I have previously seen. When knapping your core, you of course hold it in your left hand, but to the right you seem to have two hands - one to hold the tool, and another to strike that tool with force to remove the flake. As this seems to be the reason you are so effective (and superior) as a knapper, I wonder if you could explain what is going on when you remove a flake - which is sometimes considerably large and otherwise difficult to remove with simple pressure rather than some type of strike. Could you elaborate on what is taking place on that right side when a flake is removed or better still film a short video demonstrating what is going on? I would certainly appreciate it!

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thanks for your gracious comments! Here's a video that shows what's going on: 244 - Vlog - A Different View of My Flintknapping

[@phillockwood8414]

Great job on a difficult piece of rock.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thanks

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

I believe the ancient knappers used all sorts of raw material: from perfect blades struck from carefully prepared cores to odd pieces left over from the quarrying process and everyhting in between. I don't think there was one standard process for preparing preforms with the ancient knappers. A person would use a variety of options. Thanks for the kind words!

[@fishycatfish]

Hope yall get a little rain out that way this week, we've gotten a little around Brady. Did you make it to the Pedernales knap in?

[@KayKay88ish1]

This video is very well done! When you strike the stone with the copper and antler, how do you make it flake? And also how can you tell it where it will flake off?

[@deerhunter5248]

Hey jack! thanks for answering my other questions! I got another one for you, what are your thoughts on indirect and pressure flaking?

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Indirect is my favorite. Pressure flaking gives me knappers' cramp. :-)

[@backyardsounds]

I'm brand new to flint knapping, but love it and have always loved finding and looking at arrowheads my entire life. I am lucky to be in an area where areas are still somewhat plentiful. Okay, question. when you are knapping, why do you take the hammer/grinding stone and dull up the edge? Is this done so your flaking will be more precise?

[@kyletango]

Has this ftint been heat treated? It flakes off so good.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Yeah. I think so. I found it in a pile of debitage from our knapping group so I'm not sure what it is but it's most likely some west Texas chert.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

The grinding is done to create a thicker edge that won't crush when I try to remove flakes. Sometimes it crushes anyway, so I grind it more on the next try. It's all a matter of experience and knowing how to prepare the edge for the type of flaking tool being used.

[@luhstephen6782]

Hi Jack, what a beautiful piece of crafty

[@luhstephen6782]

I had lots of this stones. Can I sample them to u just for remarks?

[@luhstephen6782]

Craft I mean.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

@@luhstephen6782 If you upload a video of them, I will review it.

[@luhstephen6782]

@@KnapperJackCrafty ok sir, can u help me with ur whatsapp address? Don't really knows how to go with u tube

[@millertalbot]

Love listening to that Mockingbird in the background!

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Hmmm... you're right. I didn't even notice. We have several and they are pesky. haha.

[@millertalbot]

I really miss them. We live in the mountains of northern New Mexico and I haven't heard one since we moved up here from Texas. I think it's really the one thing I miss, we don't have hardly any birdsong here... it's weird, the forest is so quiet. Where in Texas are you? I grew up in Sanderson, south of Fort Stockton.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

I'm in west Texas (Midland). I'll bet if you put out a bunch of bird seed and cracked corn (both available from feed stores... not sure what they are called in Mexico) you will get lots of birds.

[@kathybouldin5389]

I've only had odd shaped spalls or when I crack a Georgetown or whatever I'm hitting the spalls always are odd shaped

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Yeah, this stuff was great. It had a nice ring to it when I was using the hammerstone...that's one way to tell.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Yes, I live in west Texas. Thanks!

[@EdKesokram]

Thank you so much for the link to the second video; your camera angle and demonstration answers my question completely! I truly appreciate this information and, though I have never attempted this technique before, I'm now compelled t experiment with it myself. If you don't mind my asking one other question, what material did you use to make both the tool with the copper wire for direct contact with the material, and the striking hammer, as well? It appears to be the same. Thank you in advance!

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

My tools? I have a video for that too. :-) 245 - Vlog - My Copper, Plastic, and Steel Flintknapping Tools

[@RichardGottshall]

That was a good video. Now a question, You spent about 30 minutes on that. How much will you be asking for the finished knife? Do you have a web site you sell through or do you have another market you sell through. I am just starting out in this trade and have a lot to learn. Thank you for your time.

[@draven3838]

That was an ugly odd shaped rock ,you did an amazing job with it

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thanks

[@pepeloco167]

were did u get that tool to brake off pieces of flint?

[@robertcorbell1006]

Two reasons I prefer antler to copper for my pressure knapping: no non-authentic streaks and full flaking allowing for a thinner, sharper edge.

[@WAGONJON]

I like the technique you are using. I will have to try it. Thanks for posting this great video!

[@gastonbarry]

Very good video,, Are you holding your flaker under your leg then hitting it?

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

I sell a few knives to friends but that's it. I thought about producing quite a few but knapping all day gets old quick. I sell blades like this for around $20.

[@_neoneagle_8864]

You really know what your doing on this I can tell and I don't know anything about knapping even

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Yep, it's raining right now, in fact. And no, I didn't make it to the Pedernales Knapp-in. Prolly next year...

[@jkiry]

Fantastic how you pulled that off!

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thanks John.

[@HambonesAdventures]

I don't know where you get your flint but I would love to send you some Missouri Burlington Chert Heat treated and ready.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

please send me an email. [e-mail]

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

200 Celsius for 4 hours. Begin by drying the stones at for 24 hours @ 90 Celsius, and then turn up the heat to 200 Celsius. After 4 hours, turn off the heat and let the rocks cool for 12 hours before removing from the oven.

[@artifactman660]

that rock was no match for you! dang I cant believe you got that out of what it started out to be. there was a couple of times I thought you was in trouble, but you conquered it. you are a darn good flint knapper my friend

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thank you!

[@Jtw-xb2ls]

What are your favorite materials to work?

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

My favorites are heat treated materials. Some of the raw flint is very easy to flake ( and very sharp ) but you have to be extremely precise and meticulous to produce top quality points with raw stone. Jasper is my favorite among the heat treated materials.

[@kensanity178]

That is amazing.

[@MrKirby2367]

It's almost like a game of chess planning your moves in advance to reach your goal at the end.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Yes, it gets that way after a lot of experience.

[@kullcraven]

Hello Hobbit, i thought i was subbed to you, i was like what????????????? I just subbed ya and love your vids. Another good video bro.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Hahah. Cool. Thanks for the sub and the kind words.

[@ritawilliams3266]

That is absolutely beautiful I would love to see a handle on it. Love the video!

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thank you!

[@RichardGottshall]

Thank you

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thank you!

[@efrideetswrath7935]

Where is this chert from please answer

[@efrideetswrath7935]

What part of tx

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

This stone is heat treated chert from West Texas (near the city of Marathon). I don't know the exact location of the outcrop. I believe the stone was heated to 450 degrees F (and then cooled, of course) to achieve this level of flaking ability.

[@efrideetswrath7935]

I'm in Texas for vacation and wanted to know if I could access any near me

[@efrideetswrath7935]

JackCrafty thanks so much

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

If you are new to Texas, it will take many days to locate a source of free chert or flint, even though the state is covered with it. I recommend calling landscape supply yards and asking for "bull rock" or "bull gravel". This type of chert can usually be heat treated and made workable.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thanks!

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Well, not the exact shape. I knew the general shape was going to be a teardrop looking thing with a blade that wasn't perfectly flat. It was good quality material so I knew I could get a usable knife out of it. :-)

[@flintinforce2482]

Hey, can you remember me say I buy your work from you a lot?

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

I think I remember you. Send me an email to [e-mail]

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Yes, most of the stone I use in my videos is heat treated. This one in the video I heat treated myself in a simple turkey roaster oven. It's funny that you think we have better stone here than you have in Europe. We think that you have better stone than we do!

[@Mrplacedcookie]

Is this what they call cold forging? (ps: Niceley done. ) :)

[@comradematthew4895]

Jorgen Sandstrom cold forging is shaping metals without heating the metal

[@oldfield3281]

You are by far my favorite to watch I have learned so much from watching you. I live in the hills of Missouri so I work most with Burlington chert I have a hard time Spalding and getting nice long flakes to make knifes. I have plenty of chert and when heat treated it turns bright pink or red and flakes shiny, I will continue to learn from your technique's

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thanks for that! Glad you like the vids and good luck with the knapping. Having plenty of chert is a great bonus. I'm sure you'll be cranking out perfect knives soon.

[@SuperJammygit]

a work of art,,very nice

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Yes, I'm holding the flaker behind my knee with my knee elevated so that I can "clamp" the tool.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Glad I could help. :-)

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Yeah, knapping and going barefoot don't mix well. :-)

[@woadsamurai3572]

Unfortunately I'm completely useless with hammerstones

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Everybody is in the beginning.

[@redacted9284]

What's the little white tool

[@elguapo5857]

Elk bone

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

+El Guapo go back into my numbered videos and see numbers 244 and 245. I don't think there is elk bone in this video.

[@elguapo5857]

I truly dont know anything about flint knaooing anyway😂

[@elguapo5857]

+El Guapo Knapping*

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

+El Guapo :-)

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Cool! Thanks for the sub!

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

You are correct. :-)

[@kennethlakey8338]

Should've put some ears on it

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Maybe...

[@garyloger9416]

Nice.

[@richardnunley1742]

Palmer

[@CalebP618]

Hey

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Hey

[@jamesclinton4522]

I would've broke it lol

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Very easy to break, I agree.

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

I made the tool. See my video #245.

[@taylorhopkins5645]

Op

[@KnapperJackCrafty]

Thank you!