Flintknapping - Beginners part 4

[@LGascco]

You are SO amazing!!!! THANK you for your generosity and very well explained lecture-demos. You are a very good teacher. Very inspiring. I live in KS so we have a lot of flint here...now I want to try it! You are amazing. I could watch you do this ALL day. THANK YOU kind person.

[@paleomanjim]

Awesome! Happy chipping.....

[@paleomanjim]

My Ishi stick is a hardwood dowel cut 18" and drilled out on one end with 1/4 or 5/16drill as deep as drill will go. Cut copper to length and hammer on one end to a square point. Insert copper into hole, might need to press or hammer it in. When copper dulls pull it out with pliers or vise and rehammer it. Insert a bit of sand into hole to take up the free space. Wrap the end of Ishi stick with epoxy and carbon fibre or fiberglass to keep end of stick from splitting....Will last a lifetime!

[@Dept_Of_Ducks]

A friend of mine is a knapper. She taught me how to take the bottom off of bottles cleanly using a long metal rod. Copper works well for this, but I've also used brass. Take a metal rod that is longer than the bottom of the bottle you want to break, and round an end of it to almost a bullet shape. Put the rod into the bottle with the bullet end down, and hold the bottle over a box or something so when the rod breaks through it does not strike you. Tamp the rod around the bottle's inner crease.

[@thmpick]

Thank You Very much! The most interesting thing I've seen on the Internet since I first got my computer in 1999. I hunted points for a while but had to move back to the city 12 years ago, I've spoken with a couple of guys about trying to learn to knapp. I see you have a lot of experience and it shows. I Will be watching the rest of your videos and begin making some of the tools you demonstrated. Great job! Thanks!

[@paleomanjim]

Glad to be of help!

[@mohunter68]

I just watched the first 3 part beginner series and you are very thorough, and patient. I like your laid back way of explaining things in everyday language with the demeanor of a science teacher. Excellent videos! I just subscribed to your channel and I plan to watch all your videos. I haven't tried my hand at knapping yet, but I've got the chert from here in my home state and I plan to work on this technique during the winter months when it's cold out. Thanks!

[@fishinwflies]

I learned to knap back in the late 80's. The only guy I ever met who does it taught me. I just taught a class to Native Americans. I was really rusty, and going on what I learned nearly 20 years ago. I wish I had seen your videos before I went. They are doing it next year too. I will be better prepared.

[@WittowBudduh]

You're crazy talented! It's super cool to see something beautiful made out of something mundane such as the bottom of a bottle.

[@paleomanjim]

@RCmaster4 Hammerstones can usually be picked up at local creek beds and are a great way to learn percussion basics. Deer antler can be purchased on ebay and other sites usually very cheaply. You can also buy antlers at pet shops where they are sold as "dog chews". Copper for pressure flaking is available at Home depot or lowes as grounding wire. Evan a stick with a nail will work.....jim

[@paleomanjim]

Glass works the same as obsidian. Check the area where the flake detached to see if it contacted the pad. Step fractures are often caused when the detaching flake makes contact with something that prevents it from bending or peeling away from the core. Be sure your platforms are well made and of even thickness for pressure flaking. Check the tip of your pressure flaker.....

[@paleomanjim]

@CodyOebel For heat treatment it is very important that the rock be heated and cooled very slowly. The rock should be left in the kiln or oven until is cools naturally, which usually takes a couple days. If you open the lid to the kiln while the rock is still hot you will hear small popping sounds, which is micro cracks occuring in the rock. Slow cooling is critical....jim

[@andrewbenedict3121]

I'm amazed at all this. I'm definitely gonna try this soon. Thanks Jim for all the very valuable information.

[@DanSoldierGuy]

Hey Jim, That's an interesting way of getting the bottom off the bottle, but you can also just use your hand. I've done this at parties to kind of 'wow' people... First you have to fill the bottle with water up to the base of the neck, then hold the bottle (very firmly) around the neck, and using the palm of your other hand, give the bottle 3 really hard smacks on the mouth. The bottom will drop clean off. It normally only takes 3 smacks, but you may have to do it a couple more times. Cheers!

[@D_Hawk-e5x]

The man knows his flint knapping. That's for sure. The key is to know when to be gentler on the pressure and how much your point of the tool will grab. I like to use the antler points. For some reason they don't break as often.

[@paleomanjim]

The flakes travel depends on the direction of applied force, and the amount of force. The more you push in instead of out, the further the flake travels. More force pushes the flake further also. Very light force apple outward results in short flake travel..

[@shawtyshawts]

Thanks, your tips helped me out so much! I know realize that I wasn't supporting the piece properly and the tip of my flaker was somewhat dull.

[@cplrey]

This is an interesting series Jim. I spend most of my time trying to make small points and although I have an Ishi stick, I have not tried it on small stuff. That might be the key to solving the thinning problem I seem to have on small points. Ray

[@paleomanjim]

Yes, holding tiny points can be very difficult. The trick is to support the back edge and not press down on the center part. Pressing down on the center part will often result in a broken point, but if you support the back edge either with your finger or pressing down behind the back edge you can apply force with the tip of your pressure flaker toward the back edge and not create the bending forces that often result in breakage. Good luck and happy knapping....jim

[@paleomanjim]

@CodyOebel Thanks Cody. I've had a lot of hobbies in the past from flying, hanggliding, hunting, fishing, etc. but flintknapping is the one that turns my crank! Glad you like the vids....jim

[@paleomanjim]

No, but an Ishi Stick allows more force to be applied and more force can allow flakes to travel longer. Also important is the direction of force and platform depth. hope this helps....jim

[@paleomanjim]

I like 5/16" diameter copper on my Ishi stick, this allows lots of force without bending the copper tip. My hand flakers use 1/4" on the larger one, and 3/16" on the smaller one for finer finish work....jim

[@riftknapper]

great videos, thank you. and now i know that i dont have to waste my obsidian to practice! i live on the edge of the great rift valley in kenya, where obsidian is scattered all over the place. ive found what looks to be nice pieces but do you know anything about the obsidian from this region? is it of good enough quality to knap effectively? ive just started really and know very little about any of this but quality materials must matter. thanks again, your videos are great

[@SkookumBushcraft]

Jim thanks for these videos!!! Super helpful in getting started knapping. Thanks so much.

[@geandily]

Wow that was cool! I'm supposed to be writing a paper about the use of flint tools in Egypt so I'm watching these videos as inspiration... I swear im not procrastinating :P

[@paleomanjim]

@js35701 The platform needs to be a bit closer to the center plane. That allows the flakes to be a bit thicker and travel further. Shallower platform wont reach as far. Hope that makes sense....jim

[@Iamagoodshooter]

Howdy Jim, great videos. Have you ever used SCHIST? I's a metamorphic rock that I have from southeastern PA. It is reddish although it has different colors. Try as mightght I cannot get anything but 2 inch x 2 inch irregular pieces. These can be picked up off the ground and the points found at the site were not finished they seem to be started and then broke. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks Ralph

[@paleomanjim]

@theMEGAPOPE It is very hard to grab the edge with the tip of the pressure flaker when it is 90 degrees and requires more force to remove the flake. The sharper edge angle allows the tip to grab better and release with less force....jim

[@paleomanjim]

Most folks have this problem when they start, dont feel bad. Just remember the flakes follow ridges and the distance the flakes travel depends on the amount of force generated by the tip of the pressure flaker and the angle of the pressure flaker. Short flakes are the result on not applying enough force, or too much outward force and not enough inward force. Apply all your force more inward next time, in other words towards the opposite edge, then apply outward force until the flake is released

[@Redneckamerican]

Hi Jim I want to get into naping for a few reasons one I want to make knives but dont have the income for it yet, two I got into archery and again im broke so I try to make as much as I can to use three I have some Natice American blood in me so I like the culture. I was wondering would a glass arrow head be good for practice shooting? I wouldnt want to make it then shoot it and it break on my first shot.

[@paleomanjim]

@elobiretv Colored glass is much easier to work than clear glass. The reason is that clear glass is very hard to see and thus harder to see where the tool tip is being placed

[@paleomanjim]

Hello, glass arrowheads are great for hunting but not for practice shooting. When flint, obsidian, or glass tipped arrows are used for hunting they often suffer some damage when the arrow is recovered. Usually it is possible to repair the damage, but sometimes the point breaks in half. Best to use modern target points for practice. Glass arrowheads will make very effective hunting points though....jim

[@paleomanjim]

Thanks Ray, I like to use the Ishi stick even on small points until the I get down to the last couple passes, then switch over to the hand flaker which gives a bit better control.....jim

[@paleomanjim]

Yes, on large pieces I've had a couple flakes penetrate my finger tip, not a big deal though. On the smaller gem points I have never had that happen, the flakes seem to small and light to penetrate anythig and just bounce off.

[@paleomanjim]

That term is covered in several videos, cant remember which ones. It refers to the hand holding the biface where the fingers sometimes make contact with the flake, usually to keep the biface from tilting to allow more force to detach the flake....jim

[@paleomanjim]

Glass is easy to pressure flake, about the same as pressure flaking obsidian and easier than flint because it requires less force to detach flakes. Large chunks of glass (sometimes sold in pet stores for aquariums), or slag glass from boilers also works well for percussion flaking. ....

[@timberboy1984]

hey thanks jim your right about the wine bottles can you tell me how you make your ishi sticks im sick of buying a new one very year

[@jessmdevans]

Dude!!!!!!!!! you are a bloody machine. one of the rare instructable videos that was actually very educational. the way you explain everything from the fundamentals to applied processes is amazing. you make it look easy to us earthlings. i wish i had gotten into this stuff earlier, but better late than never...question. im brand new but the word "chert" constantly comes up as a decent knapping ston, i live on the very last mountain on the southern tip of the Appalachian chain, in N.E. Alabama. very mixed geology, but mostly sandstone, but here in gadsden, this is the home of "chert pits", there are hundreds, get shipped all over the state for roads, construction, and such. 2-3 within a few miles from my house. is this the same chert?? if you tell me the chert napping stones is the same as chert pits ill look...someone said there is no mother load, you look all day to find a few good stones, is why i havnt bothered and havnt got my hopes up

[@TJthebombit]

Hi Jim, how do you get the flakes to go farther in instead of just little flakes on the edge? greetings from holland

[@noturs17]

Iv been watching your videos and tried the beer bottle bottom I made one but I can't figure out how to get the flakes to go all the way across and they are really thin and i'd like to know how to make them thicker.

[@sergeantsailorman]

I'm learning a lot from your videos. What is the pad thing you are holding in you left hand while working the glass point? How did you make that?

[@anavidhunter]

That is very kule of you to make this video and show us how it is done. I found it very interesting and possibly quite useful as well. I have been collecting rocks for my whole life and have aquired some pretty nice Jasper. I saw a video on youtube from "gotrocksinhead" where he knapped some Jasper...now seeing your vid...I think this is something I would like to try. Great posting and kule vid. Thumbs up.

[@misterb0829]

Jim, I have a lot of trouble breaking the piece with the pressure from my left hand (holding hand) while pressure flaking. How are your fingers supporting the flake when you pressure flake?

[@cortez3jlb]

I'd really like to try this. Seeing how you hold and support with your lhand and fingers worries me a bit. My hands aren't tough. Do your fingertips get cut a lot? (I'm a pianist, so lots of cuts could pose problems). I'm not TOO nervous, but don't really want stitches either!

[@riftknapper]

great, most of what i have found seems good, very few bands etc too. thats super!!! im from south africa!! where are you heading? im from kimberley, diamond city and so on... not too far away are some really good places to find all sorts of nice rocks. ive sent this bottle glass knapping vid to my dad - he will appretiate having to have a few beers prior to practising! enjoy south africa and beware, it can get really cold in some parts so take some warmer clothing!

[@fantasticwrite65]

I am curious about the platform you were using when you had the glass bottom in your hand. What materials did you use to make it?

[@r1234x67p]

hey jim quick question is it fine to use a nail or some other kind of metal for the ishi stick or does it have to be copper

[@12ernie]

Great videos, very under stable for the beginner!Thanks for making them! Ernie

[@sticknstonesbrkbones]

Jim, I have knapped 3 bottle bottoms now. I was happy with them until I saw your video's. Now I feel like a neanderthal lol All I used was an antler and a round stone. I think it is time for me to make an Ishi stick and one of those rubber palm protector things you use. Thx for the posts.

[@paleomanjim]

@hilocomtoot Hi Mike, the coverings are just a bit of leather to protect my legs, most knappers use leather. Yeah, the nail thing I discovered on KZbin, surprised me too!...glad you like the vids....jim

[@draven3838]

I work a lot of obsidian and glass ,we have chert here but it tends to be grainy and has fractures from the dozing of land , so I collect as large a cores as possible.

[@paleomanjim]

@MrVoiceofreason123 Abrading the edges strengthens the edge and prevents it from collapsing when presure is applied....

[@shawtyshawts]

Hi Jim, I've been knapping for a few months now, but whenever I use glass, especially the bottom of a bottle, I get a lot of step fractures around the edges, how could this be prevented? Thanks

[@paleomanjim]

Yes, small cuts to the fingers are part of this hobby, not way around it. Some knappers wear gloves but you really need to feel the piece to do quality work. The cuts are usually small and I have never required stitches....

[@paleospear]

Great series Jim, keep up the good work! Thank you!

[@paleomanjim]

I have used obsidian and chert. Obsidian and glass are essentially the same so glass would work just as well. Flint or chert is stronger and perhaps a bit preferable, but not as sharp....

[@timberboy1984]

jim what size bottle did you use i've tried to do it with 12oz and cant get the curve out of it

[@fishsauceman]

did you make the green arrow head out of a larger beer bottle than normal?

[@paleomanjim]

Unfortuantely schist is not a knappable type of rock. I think it is sort of transluscent sometimes, but it does not have a concoidal fracture, tends to fracture in layers if I remember correctly.....

[@paleomanjim]

Yes, any glass bottle can be knapped Just try to choose a bottle with thick glass jim

[@pacoa.1357]

Thanks for the beginners videos! I really looking forward to starting flint napping and will be using your videos as reference to help. Im not very good at knowing the types of rocks, I live in the willamette valley but not sure where to find obsidian and other types of rocks used?

[@Leroythtsme911]

They are minerals Marie!

[@7dark7shadow]

flint is definitely not a mineral

[@js35701]

how do you make your flakes go all the way to the center,when romving the convex side?

[@sticknstonesbrkbones]

Jim, have you ever fluted bottle glass? or is that not possible?

[@sanbariki]

凄い・・・ 矢じりを作るのに鹿の角を使ったと聞きましたが、これで納得が出来ました。 銅と鹿の角は同じくらいの固さなのかもしれない。 とにかく、あなたは凄い、尊敬します。

[@bluecapone]

Can you use a flattened nail for pressure flaking? Don't have any bones or copper laying around. Any common substitute?

[@bobgriffin2743]

go to your local hardware store and buy a couple inches of copper ground wire. They may even have it in a few sizes. Take that and clamp it in a vise and then use a drill to twist the copper. This will compress the material and make it stronger. Then insert into a 7/8 dowel rod. knap away.

[@elobiretv]

@hunna122 that does happen. it takes a while sometimes to get one that is whole.

[@elobiretv]

@paleomanjim ah, so its nothing to do with the actuall glass, just that its easier to see. all i have access to is jars (clear) and i seem to break them alot, so im going to find some coloured glass and see if it is easier.

[@LIVExTOxPUSHxIT]

does that bottle glass give of silica like chirt does?

[@MathewsBowHunter2011]

@paleomanjim hey you should make a video on all the tools you use and what u prefer

[@jessmdevans]

what are you holding in your hand when you flake the glass?? is that a stone, or cloth covered wood block? i cant tell what it is. but it looks like a good tool, gives the stone support on both sides but a gap in the middle to give you a little space to strike. just curious...its the small details that can make things much easier

[@bobgriffin2743]

The pressure flaking pad in his had might be made of a tough rubber with leather under it. I have used old truck mud flaps to make these. You can cut the notch in it with a utility knife and glue it to a piece of leather.

[@CarlosLosChapin62]

Leather. Some type of hide

[@pojoitis]

could i use a acrew driver as a pressure flaker im only 12 and dont have all the utencils and i have some obsidian and bottles to use so plz respawn above

[@paleomanjim]

Yes, many folks have used them for hunting, skinning etc....

[@paleomanjim]

For small percussion work you only need a single piece of leather or even a towel. For larger heavy percussion work it helps to add more layers to protect your leg....

[@akidd4life1]

Hi Jim, at around 2:20 into video, you are grasping the glass in your hand, along with something else to protect your hand. I can see what looks like leather or fabric. What is it that is directly against the glass? Thank you!

[@tsquaredmotovlogs1207]

I think it's a rubber pad with a groove down the middle. You can find them on some flintknapping tool websites.

[@paleomanjim]

Yes, it is a grooved rubber pad made from a conveyor belt....

[@paleomanjim]

We arrive in Johannesburg, then Victoria Falls & Chobe NP & Okavango Delta, then Kafue NP, Hwange NP, and Cape Town. Just cant see everything in 3 weeks!....

[@doughnutugy1]

Hey Jim, why is abrading so importand? Just wondering.

[@hackneysaregreat]

You are a great craftsman. Thanks again for sharing.

[@eriks_eco_emporium]

For the past two years all of my arrowheads have been turning out extremely round, not flat and thin. How can i fix this? It is killing me. Is the it the platforms or direction of pressure or both? What do i need to do to stop this from happening? Thank you.

[@paleomanjim]

Erik Rasmussen Everyone has problems getting then thin when first learning. The flakes will go where you direct them. The problem is probably not the platform. Check the direction and amount of force and support and try to drive the flakes toward the opposite edge. Use less outward force and more inward force. Try using as much inward force as you can and do not back off the pressure as you begin to apply outward force. Hope this helps.....

[@paleomanjim]

@jewls323 You can do it! I'd compare learning to knapp to learning how to play a musical instrument, just takes a bit of practice.....give it a try!

[@elobiretv]

is it easier to do on clear or coloured glass?

[@paleomanjim]

@Heavyb2u I usually have several on my website shown on my profile but I'm out right now. I will probably post more in a few weeks....thanks....jim

[@reecefarrow1609]

Hey because it makes it smooth and you are so helpulful you guided me and know I can flintnap

[@TheTruthseeker1231]

This is great! Very helpful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@RanOutOfSpac]

So when you roughen the edges of the glass after pressure flaking, is that to give yourself a platform to work with to continue shaping the glass? Do you just use your hammer stone to do that assuming it's rough enough?

[@paleomanjim]

Yes. Abrading does several things. First, It strengthens the edge so that it does not collapse when pressure is applied. Second, it creates small scratches in the edge, thus breaking the surface tension and allowing the flake initiation to begin. To test this, try not abrading: The edge will often collapse early and damage the edge, or a very short flake resulting in a step fracture can occur. To get the hang of it, it is usually best to experiment with abrading or grinding the edge to get a feel for how the flake releases.....

[@RanOutOfSpac]

Interesting. Thanks for the reply. I will do as you say and test it out on some cheap glass. I will of course do some research on my own but, since you mentioned it, what is problem with step fractures? I've heard that term a few times while studying but, so far no real explanation on the subject. I think I can even recognize it visually. Is it mainly cosmetic or does it affect the integrity of the finished product?

[@paleomanjim]

Step fracture is a flake removal that terminates in a step instead of a smooth feather termination. Step fractures are the usually the result of something coming into contact with the flake as it is traveling, or if there is not enough force to keep the flake crack traveling. Contact or excessive pressure on top of the flake as it is traveling can cause it to step. The deeper or thicker the step the worse it is. It can be serious because each successive flake is more likely to terminate in a step as well. The knapper must adjust his/her strategy to eliminate the step, either by undercutting it or removing it from the opposite side.....

[@RanOutOfSpac]

I see. A lot more to the process than I thought there was. Thanks for the info!

[@paleomanjim]

Abo tools like hammerstones are free! Modern tools like boppers and copper pressure flakers can be made for less than $5 and are very easy to make. I dont sell ready made tools but many knappers do and they dont cost much. Making the tools yourself is more satisfying overall. As a hobby, flintknapping overall is very inexpensive compared to most hobbies!....have fun and bust up some rock....jim

[@JoseSanchez-hx6ft]

have a question it has to be copper?or can i use something else im a beginner tks nice job

[@paleomanjim]

Copper works the best as it grabs and sticks to the edge. Nails can work but they tend to slip off, much better to use copper

[@JoseSanchez-hx6ft]

tks for answer me good job

[@pascalst-jacques2492]

What do you abrade with?

[@Grimaldon]

Why do you abrade the edge prior to flaking?

[@wadejackman7922]

I'm 15 and I think I want to knap some flint to make fire starters for my troop any suggestions of where I can get a lot of flint for cheap

[@paleomanjim]

wade jackman Best bet is to go out to the field, usually a creek bed and collect your own. Depending on where you live there may be knappable rock nearby. Check out Paleoplanet for good resources for finding flint....

[@jcsimmonsoutdoors]

why do you use copper and not other metals thanks

[@elobiretv]

@hunna122 put a large nail into the jar then put the jar in a bag and shake it up and down till the bottom falls out.

[@EmilioCasavegas]

So, soft yet rigid material is the key, right?

[@dragon3831]

another neet trick to blowing out the bottom of a bottle....fill it not quite half way with warm to hot water, then grab around the top part hold tight then with other hand smack the top really hard which forces air down into it causing the bottom to blow out!

[@paleomanjim]

@EACarr05 Thanks, I'm glad this info is useful to students. Experimental archeology has a lot of potential to tell us more about the past....jim

[@pojoitis]

thanx man im using grey obsidian and i alomost have the basic arrow head shape thanx to you your great

[@AudioGhostX]

recently i saw the movie The Hunted, and in it, Tommy Lee Jones made a knife out of stone, and that seemed cool, i happened to have some clay and im working on a basic knife right now, so far its good, pretty strong, all im using is that peice of clay, and a small rock i found outside. Just thought i would share that.

[@kalobcarson9809]

does it chip better worse or same as flint

[@paleomanjim]

The screw driver will not work well, the steel is too hard. I suggest just taking a nail and nailing it into a long stick to use as an Ishi stick. Then file the nail head to round it out. Copper wire will work better than the nail, but the nail will do the job and that is what Ishi used.....hope this helps you....jim

[@Jman999000]

where can i get a gavel can i make one or can you buy em at a store?

[@paleomanjim]

Thanks Dan, I have never tried that but have seen it done....it works

[@pinkiedestroyerjr1031]

i dont have any sort of real equipment but can i use a screwdriver or any sort of metal point?

[@bluecapone]

That's the same thing I was wondering. I was thinking of a flattened nail tip or something like that but I like the screw driver idea.

[@paleomanjim]

+pinkiedestroyer jr Copper is much better because it will grab the edge and not slip off. However, yes you can a nail and with practice it can work fairly well. Ishi, the last wild Indian who came out of the wild around 1911 used steel or nails he found near the railroads and was an incredible knapper. Google Ishi and you can see this work.....

[@RainWalking]

That was very interesting, really enjoyed watching it all. Now have subscribed Thanks :)