The Basics of Flintknapping! Preparing Platforms & Notching! by Paleoman52

[@Chief2Moon]

Just in case you haven't gotten enough "Thank You's" for these excellent videos, consider this a package of a thousand...THANK YOU!!!!

[@Paleoman52]

THANK YOU! for watching, I hope this video helps you and answers any knapping technique questions you may have. Good Luck!

[@Chief2Moon]

Paleoman52 I've watched your videos repeatedly, I consider them a "college semester" of instruction. You'll save a lot of beginning & intermediate knappers a lot of headaches&trouble. Your explanations are superb!

[@michaeltellurian825]

Not only are you an expert in your craft, you're an exceptional teacher as well! Those two skills don't always go together. Thank you for these videos!

[@Paleoman52]

+Michael Tellurian Michael you made my day with your comments, I really appreciate them, thanks. I try to keep things as simple as possible and I hope that showed in this video. I realize how difficult learning to knap can be in the beginning so I wanted to show some techniques that are quick to learn and hopefully make sense. Thanks again for your great comments!

[@razorcliffhudge147]

yeah, i strongly agree with that

[@Biltzeebub]

Jack Black: "Those who can't do, teach." Paleoman52: "Hold my beer."

[@andrewlakeman186]

That's the best demo I have ever seen! Simple and basic info for a beginner, thankyou.

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks so much for your great comment, it is very much appreciated. I haven't watched this video in a while so after reading your comment I watched it and I have to say that I am quite pleased with the way this video came out, It really inspires me to make more of these technique videos, thanks and have a great day!

[@thaduke8633]

Cool video I've never napped before great info video thanks

[@OntheTrailwithDale]

I originally watched this the other day, but had to watch it again..now that I had more time, I could really watch and pay attention to what you're doing here. I gotta thank you for taking the time to "dumb" down some of these techniques for us greenhorns. I hit a wall with knapping, so I kinda took a step back from it for a while, but these videos are helping me to get back on track. Obviously due to logistics, I can't just pop in on one of your knapping sessions, so this is the next best thing. Thanks Ken!!

[@Chief2Moon]

If you haven't received enough praise, here's more.....well done video sir!

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks so much Dallas DautermanDallas! I certainly appreciate your feedback, and hope that you found this video helpful.

[@Chief2Moon]

+Paleoman52 yes,I appreciated it very much. I knap a little to make points for kids&make arrows for them to hang on the wall. Your platform preparation techniques will help me thin many of the "problem pieces" I don't finish. Yes sir,thanks much!

[@willybee3056]

This is the first time anyone has explained the purpose of abrading... Thanks....

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks, I believe that abrading is very important to the whole reduction process and hardly ever acknowledged.

[@willybee3056]

@@Paleoman52 After watching many videos,, I had no idea of why abrading was even done. The flint napping intreags me,, I have yet to try... but I am getting negative vibs from my wife. Such is life... Thank you for such interesting videos...

[@YaBoiGibbons]

I hope you get to see this comment. After watching some other KZbin tutorials on flint knapping I was still confused and managed to ruin my first few flint spalls. Now after watching this video I have a better understanding on how to create better flakes can’t wait for my new flint and obsidian spalls to come in. Thank you for this video your a great teacher.

[@Paleoman52]

I appreciate your comments greatly. My whole goal when I shot this video was to make the process as simple and understandable as I could because I believe that a person can learn the basics with a few simple techniques. I wish you good luck when you new materials arrive. I love receiving comments like yours because it tells me that I have succeeded to make this survival skill easier to learn. I have several other videos in my playlists on my channel if you would like to see more techniques and ways to solve those problems that pop up while chipping stone.

[@YaBoiGibbons]

@@Paleoman52 I am already watching some of your other content and already I’m satisfied I found your channel. You see I butchered my few several pounds of flint and obsidian getting really bad flakes and in my frustration I keep going what am I doing wrong?? After seeing your video it immediately clicked “oh I was getting the striking angle wrong, not removing the thin brittle edges, and not using my abrading stone.” I cant wait to try this again thanks to you.

[@TheMrpiggyboy]

I must say , this video has solved some of the major problems that I have been having. I am very thankful that you have posted. So sorry it took long for me to find this video.

[@Paleoman52]

+charles vereschagin Thanks for letting me know that this was helpful to you Charles. I like to keep things as simple as possible so they are more understandable. Good luck with your knapping!

[@danburch8880]

I have been enjoying this series Paleoman. You do a great job with your presentation. The way you describe the techniques breaking them down into simple parts seems to take the intimidation factor out of the equation for new knappers. Even guys with more than a few flake scars on our fingers can benefit, I know I have picked up things from watching this and your other videos.

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks so much Dan for those kind comments, they are really appreciated. I tried to make this video as simple and understandable as possible so comments like yours tell me that I was successful. I am still learning myself after 38 years that I have been chipping, so it goes to show that you can always learn something new.

[@richardwiley5933]

Thanks for recconizing that many of us newbies really don't know anything. What may be boring to some, basic details are essential to beginners. Your a great knapper and teacher. Thanks for the lessons.

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks so much for those kind comments. I tried to make this as simple and understanding as possible because I have been there looking for help many years ago and I would have loved to have found some information like I posted here. One thing you learn with success is to never forget your roots!

[@musicmanhotrod]

another great informational vid Ken. thanx fur sharin'...can never see too many of this type of video. keep 'em comin' man!

[@patrickbush9526]

Paleo man 52 🥇👏

[@SHAGGYGA]

Just getting into knapping and I have to commend you on an excellent, easy to follow video on platform prep / notching..........very nice tutorial ! Thanks so much for your time and teachings.

[@chachiolivares5664]

Thank you for sharing your craft sir Me being a beginner I'm just now understanding how these rocks break (concoidal) and the whole thing is therapeutic and it's great that there are highly skilled folks sharing their knowledge...thank you

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks for your comments Chachi! I hope this video has helped you to understand how flintknapping works. Good Luck as you learn and practice this survival skill.

[@rockdigger83]

Thanks so much Ken. Another great video. Cant wait for the next These are very helpful

[@peteatkins5541]

I have watched your knapping for sometime and you have helped me out a whole lot thanks.

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks for those comments Pete, I'm really happy to hear that my videos have been helpful to you. I hope to be videoing more of this type of video this year.

[@peteatkins5541]

I have a particular point type that you might be interested in seeing I would like to send you some pictures.

[@ChristinaColoradoan]

These videos are awesome! You make a great instructor because you are so clear & concise when explaining everything. I'm sorry I haven't sent that rock yet, no excuse other than procrastination... Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful knowledge.

[@diamondlil2952]

WOW!!...This is so interesting. Something I've always wondered about. GREAT info!

[@toddy2519]

Excellent tutorial...thank you! I'm a rank amateur at fracture mechanics and have always had trouble making decent notching but seeing the "screwdriver" flaker makes me very hopeful!!!! Again, thank you for taking the time and trouble for your "show & tells" to help others in this ancient and fascinating craft!

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks so much for your great comments and I hope this video will help you get past some trouble areas and make it much easier for you to knap a stone.

[@sethlima6471]

Thanks for the platform prep video it really helped me stop crushing edges. Your videos are awesome, thanks for passing on your knowledge.

[@Paleoman52]

+seth lima I'm glad to hear that you found my video helpful Seth. I know how frustrating knapping can be sometimes and I would have loved to have seen a video about it back when I was learning to knap. The internet and personal computers didn't exist back when I first started knapping back in 1985 and I had to rely on the trial and error method! I sure destroyed a lot of good rock back then.

[@Treasurehunter4life]

thanks for the show!! after seeing your antler tools i went back over my antler and bone artifacts i have found and they show thinning and work for flaking! cool vid

[@primitivegaz9181]

Really cool Ken loved the video , you got really nice knapping tools as well good selection , cant wait for the next one in the series keep them coming .

[@aaronengland5622]

I really like the way you explain things. Very good teaching methods. pretty work too.

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks so much for watching Aaron, and for your nice comments!

[@killintime8431]

I just found this channel love the tattoo man and thanks for the video I’ve been trying to make a knight but I’m still learning thanks again

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks for watching man, much appreciated, I hope you found this video helpful!

[@killintime8431]

Paleoman52 it was really helpful thank you sir

[@rockheadOH]

Another awesome vid in the series Bud ! I especially liked the platform prep...I can't wait until you get to the thinning out process. As always I'm able to glean info from all of your tutorials. Thanks again for taking the time to do these !

[@CitizenSmith50]

Thanks for the great video! I have always been interested in how it is done, ever since I started prospecting in outback Australia over 50 years ago and seeing evidence of Indigenous activity. I have a collection of hammerstones, horsehoof cores, flakes and pirri points and quartz crystals with crushed points which I presume that Aboriginals used for pressure flaking (in the absence of antlers) which I have found at knapping sites or when I have just been roaming around in the bush. It intrigued me as to how they did it. I have found blades made from telegraph insulators and even opal potch in the most remote areas of South Australia. Now that I am retired, I might even give it a go myself. Again, many thanks.

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks so much for sharing your story with me and I hope you have good success as you try your hand at flintknapping. Australia has some beautiful knapping stone known as Mookite Jasper, see if you can get some of this to chip. A friend of mine has imported a few drums of it here to the states and I have worked with it. I'm not sure where it is found in Australia. Good Luck!

[@55dougie]

Great stuff Paleoman.... I am not a knapper currently but I think I could easily get hooked on it.... I already have too many hobbies. I live in Hilton NY and am an avid fly fisherman and hunter. Right now I'm making turkey calls. I enjoy your knapping instruction and might have to dive into it some day... Doug.

[@kullcraven]

Very cool Tat dude , cool. great video, out all of this tutorial on knapping, i see i have been holding my angle wrong to get those long thin flakes . You rock paleoman, thanks alot for these great demos, alot of great info and learning lots.

[@richard16372]

Very nice and helpful my friend. You always make it look so easy. Thanks for sharing your skills to teach us beginners.

[@montanabarnone365]

great ink!!!! what a great job that artist did!!!

[@wbgames7406]

Good gosh you are amazing at this!! 🙌🤯

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks so much WB Games, I appreciate your comments, and thanks for watching!

[@rockytoprelics76]

Awesome video Ken!! I havent started just yet,but i could watch you do it all day long! You always make it so easy looking!....bad ass tattoo also man! Very cool! Take care my friend and best of luck!

[@jedediahbc]

Thank you for your videos they are very informative and are getting me started on a good hobby.

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks for your comments, I'm glad you are finding them helpful, Good Luck learning to be a knapper. Most of all be very patient, it takes some time to learn techniques that with give you good success.

[@montanabarnone365]

Excellent vid too!

[@okiescout9497]

Most excellent job! Thank you sir.

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks for watching! It is much appreciated!

[@joesphhagernan4162]

Excellent video. Lots of good info.

[@TheJimford]

Great demonstration! Gives me confidence to give it a try...tools first...thanks

[@rickywebb1248]

You showed me what I was doing wrong I thank you for your video back to basic flint knapping I like all the videos thanks.

[@thenomaddertravelerchannel9090]

Thank you! your tips for gripping the edge will help with my record breaking crushing technique lol

[@zacharyfewkes5908]

Love the video paleoman! I was a geology major with chip at brockport. Just got into knapping, super helpful video!

[@Paleoman52]

Hey Zach, this is so cool that you found my channel and that you are into flintknapping! Hey you are more than welcome to stop by my mancave and I'll give you some rock and a personal lesson. I'll see if Chip can join us too. This would be awesome. Be sure to check out my 2 part series called "Making a Snyders Point from start to finish" That 2 part series shows just how I knap and there is a lot of technique that may be helpful to you there. Good Luck knapping and contact me anytime you have questions! I hope you and your family have a great Christmas!

[@zacharyfewkes5908]

That would be awesome! I would love to do that! I think chipper is coming down my way next weekend, but I will talk with him while he is down here and try to schedule a good time! I would love to get some pointers, I just started so mine are kinda rough so far haha. Love the videos I'll be checking them all out!

[@SnyderPointMan]

nice vid Ken, its great to hear that you might be coming down my way this fall. I need to try this flint knapping thing.

[@victorybeforecombat5783]

Great videos man! You make it look so easy. I'm only a few weeks in and having issues thinning. Step fracture after step fracture. I'll get there. Keep em coming!

[@Paleoman52]

I will and good luck to you, never give up!

[@paulholdenridgway548]

This is so informative!! Brilliant.

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks Paul, I appreciate your comments.

[@donaldjayjohn3821]

Thanks for help.. I'm new to the knapping,my good friend Ed Moreland suggested I watch your videos.

[@Paleoman52]

Hi Donald, I hope you find my knapping videos helpful, and a big Thanks to Ed Moreland for suggesting my videos. Good Luck and be patient!

[@scottdoran3112]

Thanks, great video! Have a good weekend...

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks Scott, I hope you have a great weekend also. We are supposed to get a pile of snow here in the Northeast so I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekeend.

[@scottdoran3112]

@@Paleoman52 yea I plow, we are waiting here in Rochester NY, calm before the storm...

[@scarz1951]

Nice tat! Great vid. VERY helpful. Thank you.

[@Buggapanda]

Nice video, really clear instructions and BTW kickass tattoo man

[@WAGONJON]

Thank you once again. Im always scared to notch. Most of the time it will stall out or snap the corner off! Very helpful indeed!

[@hansenator5000]

one time I was punch notching and the point pretty much exploded

[@josephkingery3682]

Thanks for the lesson.

[@perryrush5378]

That was very helpful!

[@stevekennedy2451]

great job at explaining, platforms well done!

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks Steve! I try to keep things as simple as possible and I was hoping that I could do that with this video.

[@haidagwaiisurvivalguy7112]

Excellent video, thank you!

[@louisemissouri4410]

Great demonstration. Thanks :)

[@qcypointhunter]

T hanks for another great vid The notching tutorial was very good and helped me realize why i had so many problems with notching when I used to knap . ---Butch

[@Watchandcutgearchannel]

good instructions ... that def. gave me the jist of it ... thanks for the video

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks for watching Alex, I hope you find this information helpful.

[@MrDrunion]

nice video. you make it look easy. have to watch it again i took a nap 1/2 way through it

[@hillbillyrockhound3643]

Great show Ken..Ive been using antler some lately just because I get tired of the age old statement at the shows from the non knappers "the Indians didn't have copper".

[@Paleoman52]

I hear the same thing around my area but I let them know that an actual copper flaker was dug up here in western/central New York state. There is a picture of it in the Archaeology of New York state book written by state archaeologist William Richey. Great Lakes copper was available and was traded through my area. So it is possible that some folks may have had copper pressure flakers.

[@mikerelford1298]

Great video 👌🏻

[@HillbillysNdaBush]

Good vid, and some awesome close ups. It would be hard to get those shots when you are moving around. Enjoying the series.

[@killintime8431]

This was so helpful thank you sir

[@longerino]

Great video, thanks for the info.

[@guitardaddy6]

This is really a great video! Thank you!!!!

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks for watching, I hope you found this helpful!

[@thomasbigfoott]

Great Vid...Thanx...THOMAS

[@stevekennedy2451]

very awesome video!

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks Steve, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@DavidJelsma]

Very helpful! Thank you

[@coco805]

Great tutorial!

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks, I was hoping that this would be helpful to others learning the Basics of the knapping process. Thanks for watching.

[@MichaelSwan66]

AWESOME! more please :)

[@rdaugherty52]

What do you do when the notch stalls out working on a small bird point everything was looking good one notch needs to go a little further but nothing works iam thinking I need to sharpen my copper flaker but I don't know and since its my very first arrowhead and looks pretty good maybe just leave alone.

[@Paleoman52]

I still have notches stall out from time to time myself and it is usually a result of not enough inward pressure as I pop the notch flake. Make sure to always raise the edge back up to the top before flipping the point over and pushing in for the next notch flake. I would keep you first attempt and learn from that one. Good Luck and thanks so much for watching and commenting! Oh, one last thing I have used a Dremel tool in those notches to grind out the stalled area and then push flakes in further. I have done this a few times when I had a pricey piece of material that I didn't want to waste. I rarely do this as I like to keep things abo as possible.

[@gumbootmama3]

Thankyou, good explaining !

[@TheGravitywerks]

Do you heat the flint prior to beginning? I have read that heating drives out the moisture making the flint "softer" (more brittle) and that they would bury the prepared points in a river/creek bank to reabsorb moisture once again, making it more durable. Some accounts (by Native Am.) say they used cold water at times to create more intricate details...dropping on the hot flint. Thank you for the instruction...awesome!

[@Paleoman52]

I just use the rock as it appears in nature. I have used rock that was heat-treated by others that sell rock but I don't heat it myself. My local material that I use is raw stone., thanks for watching!

[@TheGravitywerks]

@@Paleoman52 Thank you!

[@20-lb-boots]

Hey p man great video as always, especially sharing your notching techniques very much appreciated. I was just wondering how you constructed your palm pad? is it just two pieces of leather or do you have additional padding in the middle? And also your moose billet is that considered a medium or large billet? Thanks again for the videos.

[@Paleoman52]

The palm pad is just two pliable pieces of leather sewed together without any padding in between. I use the same stitch I use for making my knife sheathes to sew them. The moose I am using I would consider a medium sized billet.

[@sethluna2828]

U should make dvds n sell em....also sum knapping tools n sell em....even a book n yet here you are suffering us for free thank you Paleo

[@matttaimuty5397]

Question. Why copper and not iron or steel? Curiosity bids me ask.

[@Paleoman52]

That's a good question to ask Matt. Copper is usually the preferred material to use as it is much softer than steel. The copper actually grips the edge where steel tends to slip off. Copper and antler work really well against flint-like materials as they create a more controlled fracture, when steel is much more destructive and less forgiving. Native Americans found raw chunks of copper around the Greay Lakes and would hammer it into shapes they needed for their tools. I hope this answered your question.

[@matttaimuty5397]

@@Paleoman52 great answer. Makes perfect sense. Thanks

[@hgbkl5877]

In northern Georgia USA (where I live) I have a plentiful amount of chert but when ever I'm flint napping I can't get it right and end up using the entire stone without getting anything out of it... But now that I've seen this video I've made 3 spear heads so thanks for the vid, keep up the good work

[@Paleoman52]

+anomynous person This makes me very happy to hear that this video was helpful to you, good luck as you continue to learn this ancient survival skill!

[@2006heffey]

I wish you could do a start to finish with direct percussion. I have a hard time thining one side for some reason. Very goid video.

[@Paleoman52]

Hi Jeff, be sure to look back through my videos and find the 2 part series called Making a Snyders Point from start to finish. I show the whole process of percussion flaking in part #1 and finish the point in part #2.

[@2006heffey]

Thanks. I wish there was more knapping where i live. Im in East Idaho area. All of the lnapping i have done has been self taught. I do all Obsidian

[@Paleoman52]

Obsidian is a good confidence builder and it teaches you to make each flake count or you can mess it up pretty badly. There's a pretty active group of knappers over in Washington state. See if you can contact a fellow named Cole Hurst, he's an excellent knapper and a really cool guy to know!

[@chuckymcgun1831]

Thanks for the vid!! Much appreciated.... I'm interested, but hard to find the chert... I'm in the U.P. of Michigan, and apparently, the local natives traveled all the way across Lake Michigan and on to Flint, MI... (hence the name) to gather flint/chert.... I find that a crazy long way, but no chert shows on geology charts of this area... They must of had some local material?

[@Paleoman52]

chucky mcgun There is a pretty good group of knappers in your state that might be able to help you locate some local material. One fellow is named Mike Cook, see if you can contact him, he's a really great guy. You might find some of his videos here on youtube.

[@TOYOTER0]

Paleoman52 Can you go over the tools you're using, such as what you are using to abrade the sharp edges? Great video, thanks!

[@bmoutdoors6870]

Do you do any glass knapping?

[@mattbehnke779]

Where can I get billets like yours? I don't hunt so I can't get my own. Where do you recommend buying knapping tools and rock? Thanks so much

[@Paleoman52]

+Matt Behnke I trade for most of my Moose antler but there are 2 really good online sites to purchase Moose. Neolithics.com and flintknappingtools.com are my favorite place online. I know both of those guys personally and they are good honest folks!

[@krismuehlenhard2434]

+Matt Behnke neolithics and kentuckyflintworks are both great places also keep a look out for knapp in`s in your state

[@gsnicholas8522]

+Paleoman52 , I know where you got those billits, but I won't tell. I do agree though, neolithics.com is a great place to get tools and rock.

[@OntheTrailwithDale]

Hey Ken, I forgot to ask earlier, but how long will a moose billet like the one you use in this video last? I'm currently using a small - medium hammerstone along with a copper nail pressure flaker but I am thinking about going more Abo and trying antler. Talk to ya later Bud!

[@Paleoman52]

My Moose antlers seem to last for a few years, they are really tough and it takes a really long time to wear one down for me that is no longer usable.

[@ethan073]

Can crystals like selenite be knapped like this?

[@Paleoman52]

I have never tried that material but you could test it using a small hammerstone and seeing if a flake will come off when struck on the edge.

[@excusesexcuses1772]

We’re does s guy buy one of those moose horn beater?

[@Paleoman52]

I usually get mine at our local knap-in but I do believe that you might be able to get some from either neolithics.com or flintknappingtools.com. I know both of these guys and they have quality antler and stone.

[@possumboygaming462]

im a beginner but what would be some rocks that are good to napp

[@Paleoman52]

Hi Jayden, my advice would be to see if there is any knappable stone in your area where you live, because free rock is so much more affordable than buying stone. If you don't have any rock that works for you there are a couple of good online sources. The first place I recommend is neolithics.com this is a rock seller that is a great guy and sells just about any rock you want. Craig Ratzat has lots of obsidian which is really easy to chip but also very sharp to work with. Another good source of stone and tools is flintknappingtools.com. So see if you can find some rock in your area and if not check out these 2 websites. Good Luck!

[@NomadicAdventuresEst2010]

another great vid, need to make me a new playlist just for knapping video's, it's like Terry said - to learn to knapp you understand why they did certain things with a piece of stone they had, we'll dig up a few pieces, especially @ the D.L.H site, he'll say this piece is ground & set-up to knapp something out of?? it's really neat to find those pieces, but I'm sure a long ways from being a knapper but I have some saved to knock around on, but our Mozarkite is tuff knapping & I can seem to get some stuff to keep from crushing, guess that material just needs ground/abraded more? I do think from collecting a wide variety of age's you learn much about the differences in the knapping from the era's, such as our Smetleyville Culture ( lol we like to call them ) But from studing those points - the Smith - Melhville - Etley ( & Dome other Archaic Points ) - compared to woodland points & others - pretty sure they used indirect pressure flaking to make the notches, one whack/hit per side & then edge worked them from there, a lot of the nicer 1's you can tell it's only one flake coming out of that notched area? so many questions?? that's one of the reasons I'd like to learn to knapp better, lol, once in a great while ( chance of luck :) lol but I spit something out that doesn't break in perform stage, & I think I know why, not enough & a good enough abrader :) grind - grind is the trick :) well I quit yakin away lol gonna share this vid too, & probably watch it many times myself.. oh btw of course love that Mammoth Tattoo, & you've kept it looking good, sunscreen is always the trick, but you gotta be faithful about it, I'd love to get a Columbian Mastodon on Myself somewhere? but I think I'll stay off the ribs lol they hurt lol Best Wishes Today & Every Day My Friend Ken

[@johnjohnson2357]

wicked fucking tat brother. thanks for the lesson and passing on the knowledge.

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks John, that was my first tat, and the guy did a great job on it, I felt it was appropriate for this video, LOL! I'm glad I could share what I know about flintknapping here on youtube, I wish I had seen a video like this when I first started back in 1985, it would have helped me a great deal back then. Have a great day brother!

[@johnjohnson2357]

Paleoman52 well ya should have a school i grew up with the native beothers and learning these skills were far and few . plus ya make tom brown look foolish. keep up the vids thanks .

[@Paleoman52]

@@johnjohnson2357 Thanks so much for those comments John. Knapping is something that is inside all of us, we just have to rediscover it and bring it out. I feel it is a primal instinct, so I am fortunate that i was able to do this and keep it simple.

[@regstar212]

Where do you get all your flint from? Here in Cornwall, it is extremely difficult for me to get flint, let alone flint that is good enough for knapping.

[@Paleoman52]

RegaRayRocks I hear ya about the local material, I don't really have any that is of good quality close by, so I get most of mine from the knap-in that is held every year in Letchworth Park close to my home. Another really good source if you want to purchase rock is to go to neolithics.com and Craig has some really great material you can buy.

[@regstar212]

Paleoman52 Cheers, mate. Keep up the good work.

[@mddigger8424]

wow ken you make knapping so easy lol.. do you know where I can order some rock from and tools I wanna give it a shot and I need a new hobby. I know its not easy but you do some good videos.. thanks good luck and happy hunting..

[@Paleoman52]

Thanks MD Digger, my personal choice for getting good rock is from a friend of mine that has the website neolithics.com Craig has about anything you need, contact him and tell him I sent you his way. Check out his website!

[@mddigger8424]

ok cool thank you so much ken. whats a good rock for beginners to start with.. and your friend ken has the tools and everything on there.. I doubt I will be able to make a point. you make it look so easy. like what side you need your platforms on and everything lol.. good work buddy.. good luck and happy hunting..

[@ChristinaColoradoan]

Oh, I forgot to mention I really love that tatt!

[@albertmoseley4831]

Great video! Paleo MSN Jim is my favorite knapper to watch on . His videos really give an in depth look at Flintknapping and different techniques. I've learned a lot of my knowledge and techniques from watching his videos. Great that you posted it. You should check out my gorget video on KZbin. South Alabama Gorget . My 3 year old son in the video is a leukemia survivor and just had his 4th bday Monday. He's an avid rock hunter like his dad. Lol!

[@kiwi98501]

paleoman is it necessary to heat treat flint?I find it diffcult to flintknap without doing so but i don't thinkeseen a video bout it from you so im wondering do you?

[@Paleoman52]

Not all flint/chert rocks benefit from heat-treatment, but some definitely do. There are some good books out there and probably you could google this subject to find out which rocks need heat-treating. I've only experimented one time in the past with heat-treating stones and I decided after that to get stone from people that do the heat-treating themselves because they know all the particulars for each rock they heat treat. I'll try to make a video soon about heat-treating to explain this better. Thanks for your comments!

[@kiwi98501]

Paleoman52 Thank you very much very informative ill check out some books about it.:)

[@jjr832]

fascinating,

[@mattbehnke779]

alright thanks. Maybe we can make a trade for a billet too. I am still trying to think of other stuff I can trade with you. Are you into survival/camping type activities?

[@randycurtis1176]

There’s a Knapp-in this month. When: Friday July 13, 2018 - Sunday July 15, 2018 Where: Fly, Tennessee

[@nicholasserfontein9712]

Is this a type of chert?

[@Paleoman52]

Yes, this comes from Oklahoma and is found in only one location. It is called Keokuk Chert.

[@westyoungblood5936]

Could a flat head screw driver work

[@Paleoman52]

It would work at first but seeing that it is made out of steel the screwdriver will end up slipping and won't grab the edge as good as bone, antler, or copper does.

[@onetapman4910]

lets say the apocalypse is on and im in a middle of a forest with just a knife (which is good enough for me) can i just use some rocks and some wood i mean well is get the job done?

[@Paleoman52]

Yes, you can get by with some of these basic flintknapping skills, and some creative thinking. That's how the Native people did it for thousands of years. Bushcrafting is also something really good to know also.

[@tiffanythelioness5067]

Go try it yourself people it's fun and gets you out side you can do this with almost any rocks you find

[@jacob2790]

I've never stared into another man's crotch for so long XD...great information though and great video B) I am an amateur collector and this helps a beginner see what hand worked rocks will look like.

[@Paleoman52]

Haha! Now if I could get my wife to stare that long. Thanks for watching Chase, I have found that learning to flintknap has given me such a better understanding of the points and tools I have found. I'm glad this video shows this.

[@Obscured1972]

Well done.You make it look easy but I know it's not..Take care

[@nicholasserfontein9712]

hahaha those cicadas in the background

[@Paleoman52]

You can tell we were in the middle of our summer when you hear those!