Recreating an ancient quartz crystal dagger.

Ive wanted to try and make this dagger for a couple of years but I was struggling to find a piece of quartz rock that was the right size and shape.
Anyhow I think this bit will give me a fighting chance so sit back grab a drink and lets see how it goes.

[@ogrithetrog]

Several years ago Will, we had a conversation about "value" and "skills", we started out with opposite viewpoints and I soon came around to your way of thinking - this has been a very credible demonstration of that conversation - at any point the quartz might have crumbled into a thousand pieces, but by tempering your skill and adjusting a technique, you were able to produce a thing of rare beauty - thank you for the reminder of that long-ago day!

[@MecheDagda]

Never thought I’d see anyone properly recreate the crystal dagger. Very impressive work.

[@raykemry954]

Wish I could of advised you on that . ? Should have asked your viewers.

[@raykemry954]

You need a more glassy type stone.

[@raykemry954]

You can read most stones so well. Looks like safety glass that got broken.

[@dancreed]

Cheers Will that was fascinating . First modern man to knapp crystal and the first ever caveman to film it!

[@usmcson3]

Haha 😄

[@aussieflintknapping]

Plenty of modern knappers have worked with quartz crystal

[@shable1436]

​@@aussieflintknappingmodern and ancient, you can find so many crystal artifacts here in swva on river bottoms it's ridiculous, of course that's a common thing here around the rivers

[@thevirulentwaif2499]

Stunning mate, I'm a lapidarist from Australia with a love of stone shaping, and to see someone 'carve' a dagger out of quartz was something that took great skill. 😊

[@frankparrish5657]

Wow. Thankyou for this great video. 35 years of knapping and this is the first time I've seen the Spanish crystal dagger. As an archaeologist for 15 years in the American west, I have seen one flake of clear quartz crystal in the field. It was water clear with a single speck of inclusion that clued us onto the fact that it was not glass. Thankyou for showing the picture of the dagger! I tried knapping quartz crystal once and found it very cooperative in one direction and hackley in a second direction. You may be interested in this, in January 2022 I came up with a wood holder that allows for long delicate Clovis points and nice flutes: Take two 15cm pieces of oak "yardstick" and pitch glue two tiny broken sticks to one end of both. then wrap a leather strip around the tip of your biface and sandwich it between the wood slats with a piece of twine, then flute. Works great. Loved the video. I am considering working with some quartz so this was useful...In the Goshute crystal mine, where huge quartz crystals were found the size of split logs, I was able to examine the entrance to the mine and it was apparent that most of the material was unsuitable, but there was a 5 cm band through the whole deposit that was water clear. It looked like a chemistry "solution layer" whare either the flaws had been healed, or, the crystal had grown without flaws in that band. It would show up in multiple crystals side by side, but not in the whole crystal. Any quartz from that clear band would knap well.

[@shable1436]

Do you have any video of the crystals, or device you're describing? Pictures worth a thousand words, and moving pictures even more😊

[@Just1Nora]

The reason the quartz was "hackley" in one direction and not the other is due to the crystal shape or lattice that quartz grows in. You have to pay close attention to not only yield of the piece but also what direction the lattice is in. This applies to any crystalline rock. If you Google quartz crystal lattice you should be able to learn more about the shape and cleavage angles.

[@frankparrish5657]

Cut a branch the width and length of the Clovis preform. Split in half. Sand the two halves flat on the sidewalk. Four buttons of wood pitched onto one end hold the preform base clear of the wood for fluting. tie around the point with string. The tip is pinched flat, between the wood halves and wrapped with a half inch leather. Tie around tightly with string. The mine entrance was blown up and caved in. I found a four inch wide crystal termination and herd the old timers talk.

[@markeverson5849]

I have an idea consider taking broken unsuitable Crystal and melting it down in a kiln pour into molds ,into a solid usable slabs for Flint knapping

[@lairdhaynes1986]

As someone who learned to knap with quartz, this is fascinating. The quartz I work is vein quartz which is what forms in the cracks and fissures of bedrock such as granite. It is abundant in my region and most of it is translucent but very rarely transparent. to varying. Some of it is milky and gritty/grainy. Some of it is a little more translucent/less milky/less gritty-grainy and knaps alright but it is still tough. On very rare occasions I'll find a piece that is relatively pure and nearly transparent. Such pieces knap noticeably easier than the others. The flakes run much farther and initiate with less force much like the crystal you're using. I think all quartz tends to have a rough texture compared to flint. It just seems to be the nature of the beast. Somebody else here in the comments suggested the crystal dagger could have been flaked to the general shape and then ground smooth and then flaked along the margins to sharpen the edge. I think that's is a reasonable possibility. Anyhow, thanks for the demonstration, it was well worth the watch. Cheers!

[@Bigmanfire]

i really love how we get a chance here, to not only learn FROM you, but to learn along WITH you. A really cool perspective here. Great video!

[@WillLordPrehistoricSurvival]

@@Bigmanfire thank you Sir

[@pentultimatearsehole9190]

Good Lord! I was terrified watching you crush platform after platform, even with abrading. You are a master of the craft and I can't wait to see the finished product. I've been knapping for twenty years now and still feel like a child learning about the craft when I watch your videos. Thank you.

[@chucklearnslithics3751]

Impressive! From what I've seen of the Spanish one, it looks ground to shape and the pressure flaked just around the edge to sharpen it. I thought there'd be no way you would be able to use percussion and even get close! Well done!

[@TheRusty]

Yeah, the original (and the arrowheads found with it) were almost certainly shaped by grinding and drilling, perhaps involving copper tools, then finished with fine chipping. That our man made a paleolithic version of a copper age art piece is definitely neat!

[@SarahB-tu1ip]

In regards to your question, yes quartz does have a conchoidal fracture, the same as glass, flint, or obsidian. However the piece you had to work with was a bit more challenging: the haziness is from internal fractures and inclusions, all of which will interrupt the typical line of fracture. This is why you see the rough faces on the chips that come off. A water clear crystal point (any color, really) will fracture like you're used to working with. I'd suggest a single clear quartz point or even lab-grown quartz blocks are an option. At least lab-grown, while having the same structure and chemical composition as natural material won't have the micro fractures and inclusions that were giving you trouble. Great video. Loved seeing the whole process and commentary. Thank you for sharing your work.

[@Reverendoctor]

Was this piece a natural double terminated quartz? Or was it cut into that shape? Wouldn't a slab of crystal be easier to form than a natural earth grown double terminated crystal? Seems that the opposing growth would be harder than one crystal lattice in the same direction.

[@canadiangemstones7636]

This is a natural quartz, but an interestingly deformed shard crystal. Optical quartz was mined in Brazil by the ton for WWII optics. Problem with lab-grown would be the seed crystal right down the center. Quartz is said to have a cleavage plane, but it’s very, very rare. Getting a large, mostly flawless quartz crystal nowadays isn’t the slightest trouble. Specimen mining is huge in Arkansas, Brazil, etc. A nice smoky quartz from Switzerland would look cool knapped. Not cheap but not hard to find.

[@stevenvonsiebenhoven4217]

Honestly I find the noise of the knapping (I’m sorry if I spelt that wrong) very calming and satisfying, as well as watching it take a good shape, well done!!

[@ernestobonnet1900]

From Bogota, I Have to say it was kind of a thriller with a conforting ending. What an Incredible achievement!

[@baTonkaTruck]

I believe the “crystal” you’re looking for is chalcedony, which is basically a solid blob of microscopic quartz crystals. They often fill voids and cracks in rocks as you mentioned, and don’t have room or time to grow slowly into large crystals. Technically, all quartz conchoidally fractures, whether “large crystals” (aka phenocrysts), or chalcedony (micro-crystalline quartz like flint, jasper, agate, etc).

[@davidvaughn7752]

This was ABSOLUTELY fascinating! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!!! It turned out beautifully. I've never seen anyone work with quartz doing anything with it except having them on display at rock/gem shows! Congratulations!

[@ILikeCoconutsLots]

So glad to see you have a KZbin channel! I met you once many years ago when I was still a kid at a historical fair and you really inspired me! Thank you so very much! I ended up going down the foraging path learning how to use all the plants and mushrooms for food and medicine 😊

[@patriciagates9115]

The percision within your eyes is amazing to me. To not only be able to visualize that piece of art within the stone, but to bring it to life. Again, it is an amazing gift you possess.

[@gabeerspamer3979]

I seriously wish I could get the opportunity to be in one of your classes or activities. You have been a source of inspiration for me in advancing my own knapping skills and your overall abilities never fail to catch my interest or amaze me.

[@gabeerspamer3979]

I’m no master flintknapper, but watching this video made me on edge much like one of your videos when you knapped a very high quality hunk of flint.

[@decab8292]

WOW ! I am truly gob smacked. I would never thought I would see anyone Knapp quartz. Not only are you skilled but extremely brave in this current economic climate. Thank you for sharing this.

[@bryanfaulkenburg462]

Very cool material . I, for one, am missing the storytelling you were doing last year.

[@davidvaughn7752]

Me too! I'm sure a lot of other folks would love to sit at his fire again as well!

[@AmandaHanleyDalzell]

Wow, watching you create this in real time is so cool! Thanks for posting the whole thing.

[@johngreenwald2954]

First video I’ve seen of yours, good sir. I am a tinker at heart. I love to make everything I can by hand. I don’t know what it is about “handcraftsman” videos like this, but they are calming to my soul. Especially this one. Watching the way you worked the quartz, despite it not being the best “quality”, was absolutely satisfying. Well done. Well done.

[@WillLordPrehistoricSurvival]

Thanks John all the best to you mate

[@RBYW1234]

@@WillLordPrehistoricSurvival Was looking at glass work, arrow heads that kind of thing. One of the process used was to submerge the glass in water so the cracks are instantly flaked off. Quartz almost glass like, used as a dagger, might wanna try hitting stones under water.

[@raytheguyinthechair2791]

Congratulations will ! It might be worth a look to book a trip to the Mohawk Vally Mineral Mine in New York state. You get to mine your own Herkimer diamonds (super clear quartz crystals).

[@kimleebold7822]

I loved this one. Your craftsmanship is always top of the mark👏 as a crystal lover my heart did stop when you began working on this. But looking at the original artefact from Spain really blew me away. You definitely captured the essence of the crystal dagger made all those thousand years ago. Over 5 thousand years ago. Amazing! The detail of this dagger when it’s finished will be absolutely beautiful 🤩 mind blown 🤯

[@CMillz884]

That was fascinating Will, can’t wait for you to put a handle on the dagger. Very enjoyable, thanks

[@rodneyjones2711]

Awesome can't wait to see the finished product!

[@ancient-skills-wales]

Absolutely one of the best films you have done

[@AndyPanda9]

Cheers! Holy Cow! You are so skillful at this. I can't believe how quickly you got that crystal to do what you wanted.

[@ce5circle656]

As a 52yr old stone mason that was one of the most challenging exercises in removing material I have ever seen ,thankyou brother very educational film really enjoyed this .

[@terryteed1903]

A true master of your craft. Even just having the bollox to make that first strike on an unknown, kind of encapsulates what the whole of prehistoric life must have been like. You sure earned that Gin. Slangevar Will.

[@MrQuinnd]

We found one in mid Tenn about 15 years ago . Small 4 cm wide x 12 cm . The young lad who found it has gone on to life of hunting for the next great find .

[@ghostrecon3214]

Amazing. I couldn't believe how long that visible fracture held on.

[@arkham67]

Will that was absolutely magic mate. What a privilege to watch you ‘find’ that dagger in that stone, thank you pal.

[@davidvaughn7752]

I thoroughly enjoyed this time with you in the earth Lodge, Will! Is suffices to say the Earth lodge is a special place. The dagger is extraordinary! You're awesome!

[@WillLordPrehistoricSurvival]

Just have a virtual hug 🤗 😂😎

[@doh193]

hi will, your channel and your abilities are outstanding, always a pleasure to see such craftsmanship I've seen people find native american quartz points and none compare to that which you've created here!

[@jillatherton4660]

Gripping stuff. Nice job, again. 😄👍

[@despinaarzouman3080]

I'm impressed. And I stayed awake (this entire hot summer afternoon) to watch the entire thing. Finest "smashing" work of a rock I ever witnessed.. and I never expected to ever see anything like that!! Wow. i have a big chunk of Obsidian someone gifted to me --and oft wondered what the heck I should do with it. Your work was of ancient origin, but one of the most modern creative tasks imaginable. I doubt I'll ever smash my black rock.. but the way the world has been been turning lately, one never knows what they might have to DO.👀

[@JohnAlmager-bz5lh]

Dude, I was nervous watching this. Amazing skill and incredibly ballsy to even attempt!

[@sonoman00ify]

I live in Naryland now. Grew up in Northern California. Found hundreds of beautiful spear points, arrowheads, bowls etc. Most of my life I assumed the points were carved somehow. Along came Google and I found knapping. I was blown away. I found some obsidian on my last trip to Cali. Got a rock and antler. In two days I made about 8 arrowheads. It came naturally to me. It must be in our DNA. Love it.

[@WPT1776]

Every video of yours that I have watched has taught me something I never knew. Thanks for making these videos and keeping these ancient crafts alive.

[@danthefrst]

That was a way scary film! After the first blow I hardly breathed at all. But it wanted to be created. Great thanks mate!

[@oubliette862]

I had a chunk of quartz that looked similar, but golf ball sized. I put it in my saltwater fish tank for a year then took it out. when I picked it up again it split into pieces that were razor sharp. it started delaminating and if the bits were immersed in water again, they became nearly invisible. I've seen quartz crystals clear as pure ice before that's probably a better material to work with.

[@jjulyans]

Been told by a Mi Wuk that quarts takes things. Blessings, curses, the souls of good and bad. Hope you honored and sent it on its way.

[@gregoryhousch3321]

Glad you showed the whole process. It's important to see the amount of effort to go go from a big chunk of material to the finished product.

[@masstrapper7645]

Absolutely fantastic work Will. I’m sure your the first man in thousands of years to achieve such a task. Well done indeed. I’m always astonished by what you can do. It really brings out my inner caveman. 👍👍

[@MrGaborseres]

Hell yeah!!!! 😊 We enjoyed it.....greetings from Florida 🌴 🌞

[@k.karlsson5172]

You took the risk and created something absolutely incredible in a beautiful way. Massive respect to your work and passion. All the best, mate! Cheers!

[@WillLordPrehistoricSurvival]

Bless you and thanks

[@garybondurant8097]

Mad skill knapping that imperfect piece of quartz crystal into a dagger blade. Honestly thought you would never get that far without it just disintegrating in your hands. Well done Mr. Lord.

[@tangentspace958]

Your videos are awesome

[@WillLordPrehistoricSurvival]

Thank you 🙏

[@zyllinui]

That was a crazy display of skill. I sensed the trepidation before the crystal was hit but then the natural way that you knap took over. Such an incredible undertaking. Hats off Sir, truly.

[@clearlakerain]

Well done. I noticed you stayed calm under the stress, you got a big set on ya. WTG

[@Dominic.Minischetti]

Out of all the absolutely awesome creations you have made, this was extremely impressive! I was just waiting for it to shatter! Well done my brother! Well done! 👍🏻

[@nealbutler3332]

That quartz was so cloudy I’m surprised a knife could be found in it. This dudes skill level fills me with false confidence.

[@rentaovillaruz5068]

a very good display of skill and craftsmanship my good sir.hope to see more of your videos

[@QuietTom]

That is stunning. I really appreciate the long form, unedited videos. I learn a ton. Hard to do that when it is just bits and pieces of the project.

[@Stoney429b]

You did a great job Will, thoroughly enjoyed watching. I hope you kept those shards, I see the potential for arrow heads in them, even if only to get more value out of your rock... You did a great job of recreating the crystal dagger, but it would have been just as good to see you create your own without so much reference, I haven't been watching you for long but I've been watching long enough to know that you have the skills to chase your own designs out of wood and stone and make them work 👍🏼

[@Theravadinbuto]

Beautiful work! Some years ago a coworker found an absolutely perfect crystal bird point down in the southwestern US. Ancient peoples made things of utterly stunning beauty!

[@benleckie5775]

Thank you, it's like a meditation watching you work. I'm a blacksmith by trade, but you take things to a whole other level, it's wonderful to see.

[@lagygmr8883]

hardest thing about quartz is the brittleness and inclusions which make it fracture into flaky chunks and pebbles, you can though like the natives in canada, make a rattle which lights up cause the quartz sparks inside, thunder rattles lol

[@georgerivers2035]

Confidence in your ability to work the stone is inspiring

[@hydroxide5507]

quartz (and agate) is about the only thing you can knap down in brazil. place is simply too geologically old for flint, obisidian etc . quite like working with it. never done something so large, but little saws, arrow points and knives are a breeeze to make. a big chunk like that might only be 10 to 20 british pounds here... great job will!

[@patrickbrett66]

Great to see the start to finish, I found a quartz boulder years ago and have been carrying it from home to home waiting until I caan find somewhere to work on it and collect some antller stubs to use as tools. Inspiring work.

[@Primitiveinstinct9273]

Not going to lie I've been sending subscribers your way brother. I've learned alot from you that's the best way I can pay you back. Thank you for the information and inspiration.

[@WillLordPrehistoricSurvival]

Cheers bud much appreciated I will take a look at your channel sorry I haven’t before I don’t watch much social media I just post

[@paulfranks195]

This video should be loop played at the museum you bought the crystal from. Excellent work Will, great to watch.

[@WillLordPrehistoricSurvival]

Bless your heart cheers buddy

[@FredericEffe]

About the original artefact, some archeologists talk about "an incredible crystal dagger that would have taken enormous skill to carve". The fact you just nailed it in 30 minutes and one attempt, using prehistorical tools, is just impressive. In the end, this fantastic re-creation would find a great spot in a prehistoric museum as a very rare reproduction !

[@Taxandrya]

will lord capable of flintknapping quartz, what more do you want? it's near impossible and this chap is giving us mortal the opportunity to see it all.

[@stuartlockwood9645]

Hi Will and Maud 😊 edge of the seat stuff mate, unbelievable that you managed to get a dagger out of that crumbly quartz, many thanks for filming this, stay safe mate, best wishe's to you and Maud, Stuart and Megan UK.

[@clovisman001]

Will, I'm one of your past customers. You sold me a starter kit of flint, leather pad and antler tools some years ago. Thank you so much. The "macro crystal" of quartz is not a good knapping material as you noticed while making this video. Macro refers to the fact that one is literally looking at the silicon dioxide molecule in the hexagon shape of the crystal. Agate, chert, chalcedony, obsidian, glass and flint are "micro crystals." These forms are still silicon dioxide but have a molecular form that's "amorphous" which fractures with the 120 degree "curve" that's so highly desirable in knapping.

[@markgreenley219]

That Crystal is much happier now! Now it will always have a POINT! LOL 😆 Always like your videos and I'm a knapper in Vurginia. superb job!

[@herenow2895]

Riveting stuff. Great how you quickly got a good feel for the qualities within the crystal. Skills ! It still says £154 on the price tag 🙂

[@TraitorVek]

... and Yes, I Loved It! - All The Best!

[@spike8104]

Just found your Channel Will after re watching your episode of First Man Out,with some bloke called Ed 😂 I’m binge watching your vids when I should be fixing my car! Absolutely amazing skills and work mate,I love watching true craftsmen at work.

[@WillLordPrehistoricSurvival]

Thanks mate

[@julianpetkov8320]

Great effort Willie. I had my doubts you were going to pull it off, but well done. Looks very stoneagey. 😀

[@Freeman-Dl70]

A quartz dagger deserves all of the time that's required to create it. Thank you Will for not cutting anything out.

[@WillLordPrehistoricSurvival]

Cheers for watching and commenting, all the best Rossal

[@Greentrianglegallery]

Looks beautiful, I believe the larger and more slowly cooled and formed a crystal is the easier to predict the shards that will break free, and if it has no discernible cracks and junctions and if it’s one of the faces of a crystal….it will be like glass, I have a piece like this if u want it, it’s very unique and from Australia,

[@Greentrianglegallery]

I’d trade for some antler…. It’s super glassy…let me know if ur interested❤

[@Pokedhernherpokenholesagain]

awsome! you just climbed up too one of the top two youtube knappers ive found on my journey. thanks for you efforts and knowledge and skill. well done sir!

[@goldplatedbear2693]

great to watch you work

[@richardtrumbo164]

I swear I can smell crystal dust and my nose is running! Wonderful video, brother. Thank you.

[@matthewtellheart6060]

Absolutely stunning sir. Thank you for sharing

[@Detectaddict]

I’ve watched all you videos and few others similar, but this one proves you truly are a master napper and craftsman %100 . Absolutely stunning piece 👍👍👍

[@jonathanevans6334]

I can occasionally find clear quartz crystals here in NC of slightly smaller size but clear like glass.I'm learning the area better hopefully can find larger ones.

[@draven3838]

That was nervy, well done great video

[@BillGorman]

I found a tip last week made from Chalcedony. they say you have to bake and slow cool the crystals and jaspers before napping them.

[@kye51961]

Thats amazing. Your talented like your Father, who I have seen work flint. Caro

[@brennoncantrell5867]

Great job and specially great job on a difficult material like that!!

[@aliasaila8818]

I have to say you're the coolest guy I've ever seen Sir! You are making the most fascinating knives that reder me speechless. I never even could have imagined that something like this is possible. Glad to have found your channel.

[@anonymousbosch9265]

Very interesting in general and I’m home sick from work and this is very relaxing and mellow like Bob Ross’ long lost brother from over the pond who was more interested in the Paleolithic than the paint brush. I’m becoming a big fan

[@JPilarinos]

That looks awesome Will. Great job. 👍🏻

[@clarehunt3829]

Absolutely brilliant

[@bertmoore4092]

I have to admit, when you first started, I thuought the dagger was going to be a disaster. But congrats, I'm impressed. Very good job!

[@samuelwells2025]

very nice job on this crystal blade!! I hope to see the finished dagger

[@jamesmacdougall5907]

Since video one i am as always impressed by your knowledge and skill . Keep on showing the rest of us the way

[@eh1702]

What is very weird, looking at pictures of the Spanish original, is that the entire handle is made of ivory or bone, including the bumps that look like rivets. It seems to be imitating the appearance of copper or bronze riveted construction. Apparently it is roughly the right period for the first bronze coming into Europe. This reminds me of the kind of huge long green stone axes that became popular in western and even later northern Europe. At first these were made from a very specific stone from high in the Alps, and retouched or manufactured in Brittany, and travelled all over Europe’s western fringes. They seem to have been refined and not very practical. The original source stopped being used quite abruptly, and the originals seem to have been retouched and polished for a couple of generations before people began to quarry greenish stones in one or two places locally and make their own. Some people think they are a “prestige object” that was a response to metallic axes available in other cultures - in people who did not yet have metalworking themselves; or possibly even a cultural rejection, for a time, of metalworking and the culture that brought it.

[@richardstritt7805]

Love your aptitude to your subject,a true inspiration

[@jackglossop4859]

I watch these videos to relax but that was absolutely nerve wracking 😦 every time you hit it I was wincing.

[@WillLordPrehistoricSurvival]

Lol sorry about that 😂

[@jbellon4]

well done Will! its really good to see u nut it out as you go and learn with u. great attitude and approach - and it came up stella! 🎉🎉

[@cliffowens3629]

Dude, I tell you. You might start a rediscovery of crystal knapping craze like DC Waldorf did in his own rediscovery of how those ornate stitched Danish dagger were made. Several chippers here in the States are doing it now.

[@william6526]

In western oregon where we have no obsidian unless the tribes of eastern oregon indians traded obsidian to the tribes of Indians on the west side of the cascade mountain range. We find arrowheads scrappers and fish points made out of quartz, agate and even petrified wood.

[@gustavchambert7072]

Absolutely amazing work! Imagine doing this to a piece of really clear and homogeneous crystal. I bet that makes a lot cleaner flakes. Still, marvelous to watch.

[@bloodtundra1608]

Very cool, looked like a right pain in the ass tbf.

[@lorenzowilborn8544]

Very much enjoyed that!!! And I always watch until the end! Can’t wait to see it handled.