flintnapping videos?

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CM_Rick

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Jan 10, 2011
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You got any instructional flint napping videos? I know it is not rocket science, but I feel like I'm doing something wrong. Don't know if it is my technique or too much striking power.
 
CM_Rick said:
You got any instructional flint napping videos? I know it is not rocket science, but I feel like I'm doing something wrong. Don't know if it is my technique or too much striking power.
Click to expand...

There are tons on YouTube. Also google "Caught Knapping" it is a good video out there for sale.

And it is almost like rocket science to me. Trying to learn myself. (Abo style no copper)
 
CM_Rick said:
You got any instructional flint napping videos? I know it is not rocket science, but I feel like I'm doing something wrong. Don't know if it is my technique or too much striking power.
Click to expand...

You think it's not rocket science now... wait until you start trying to do it. That stuff isn't as easy as it looks. I tried making an arrow head last week and destroyed an entire giant piece of flint with nothing to show for it.
 
I'm definitely not the person to ask about that. I'm no good. You may try on youtube, and on some of the back issues here
http://www.primitive.org/

also, paleoplanet has a good forum for that.
 
Right on. Thanks all. I've tried it, and I do mean Tried it. For arrow heads, I have done this: Chip off small pieces (much like making a quick stone cutting tool), then attempt to knap out the arrow head shape. I get close, but then it all falls apart on me. And, I haven't got a clue about how to make the channel up the center for arrow shaft fixation. I don't even want to attempt a knife blade or a tomahawk yet.

Thanks for your honesty, Joezilla. I thought I read something by you talking about knapping, but I guess I remembered wrong. Sorry about that. I'll have to dive into youtube I guess. I just know I'm going to lose an entire day.

Ol' Ray Mears knows a lot about stone tools, but I have not seen a knapping video yet. Does he have one?
 
Google John and Geri McPherson...John has several DVDs out converted from VHS. They are older but John is "the man" with primative skills. He is considerably older now and has been doing this for a really long time. When Fort Clatsop in Oregon (Lewis and Clark's Oregon camp) burnt down about 8 or 10 years ago, they asked John to come and supervise the reconstruction. He has been featured on many older documentary programs long before it become in vogue. John no longer offers open to the public courses and only trains a select few students who have been committed to him for many years and the SF.
 
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if you want to drive down to Ocala FL, next month there will be a 'knap in'. You can learn from experts, and for free.
 
I think its important to pick the right flint or material to be knapped ... clean flakes.
Use the right tools:
- Percussion flaking tools
- Pressure flaking tools
Youtube is a good resource, wear eye protection and enjoy.
 
Joe is good at sleep-napping, not flint knapping.

...oh man that was an old man joke.
 
If no one has mentioned it or you haven't been there already - PaleoPlanet forums has a sub on knapping. +1 on going to a gathering, nothing like hands on instruction.
 
I'll check all of those videos out when I get a chance. I've been bogged down lately.

I'd go to the gathering, but I cannot make a trip to FL right now. I'm hopping to get in some napping at tracker school when I go in May.
 
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