Flint Knapping for the beginner. Direct percussion explained.

[@seanarthur2001]

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.

[@docinstein]

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

[@Bradmoore1979]

@@docinstein thanks so much! That means a lot to me. 👍😁

[@garetkonigsfeld2]

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

[@Bradmoore1979]

@@garetkonigsfeld2 thank you for watching! She’s something else 🤣

[@jimv.661]

Excellent job of explaining. Thanks.

[@Bradmoore1979]

@@jimv.661 Thanks so much😁

[@dacrowrose2]

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

[@Bradmoore1979]

@@dacrowrose2 Thanks David! Exactly 😆

[@paulshurmon138]

Thanks for the video.

[@Bradmoore1979]

@@paulshurmon138 very welcome 😁👍

[@brianglover7629]

Very informative

[@Bradmoore1979]

@@brianglover7629 Thank you!

[@Bradmoore1979]

@@brianglover7629 Thanks Brian!👍

[@williamwarner6036]

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.

[@Bradmoore1979]

@@williamwarner6036 ahhh ha! Thanks Bill!👍

[@southernrocksurvives]

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?

[@Bradmoore1979]

Thank you! I learned from KZbin. I didn’t get the hang of direct percussion until I started collecting my own material and doing lots and lots of Bifacing.

[@donreed417]

That's Jeff city chert Brad

[@Bradmoore1979]

@@donreed417 thanks Don. I actually found out it’s a pastelite from Burro creek area in Arizona but I can see how you would think that. 👍