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Is Flintknapping still relevant?
- Thread starter psy-ops
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- Jul 12, 2002
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I have an old steel that my Great Great Grandpa carried and used in the late 1800s and it got passed down to me and one of my children will eventually get it. It was pretty thin when I got it and isn't used anymore, but lives in a leather wallet in my pack. I'm not real good at getting a fire started with a steel and a hunk of flint, but I can do it.
As far as it still being relevent, my opinion is yes, it is. The firesteels we use are a much improved variation of the flint and steel system and I think that knowing the ins and outs of using flint & steel along with cotton wool and char cloth or other tenders can come in handy, just like learning how to make and use a bowdrill or other more primitive method. If nothing else, they add to our ability and confidence in the field.
As far as it still being relevent, my opinion is yes, it is. The firesteels we use are a much improved variation of the flint and steel system and I think that knowing the ins and outs of using flint & steel along with cotton wool and char cloth or other tenders can come in handy, just like learning how to make and use a bowdrill or other more primitive method. If nothing else, they add to our ability and confidence in the field.
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Uhhh correct me if I am wrong, but I thought "flintknapping" was shaping a piece into a cutting tool, not firestarting?
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I think it's an interesting skill, but more for historical preservation than actual survival. The world is now strewn with so much metal, ceramic, glass etc. that even if civilisation were to end today, one would never have to resort to shaping rocks into tools. An old soup can would yield you a useable edge in far less time than a piece of flint...
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- Feb 12, 2002
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For my 2cents worth I think knapping is a great "waist of time" in the bush. You know, when there is nothing to do while you sit by the fire,or wait for the weather to clear. Im not good at all, but it is fun. Usefull? Ya sure why not? The first time you make a flint/stone knife its actualy very cool! And it opens up other avenues. For instance if by some poor reasion you snape the blade of your knife (not been there yet) you already will have had some experiance with making a handle for your flint knife. Same goes true for making a hammer/axe. If your axe handle breaks you will have developed a rudamentery ability to make a new handle. Not to mention knowing how to knap is needed for proper use of flint with steel.
Plus like I said...its FUN!!!
Plus like I said...its FUN!!!
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- Aug 15, 2003
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Yes, I think it is a good thing to learn.
Most of us carry blades (often more than one), but you never know when you can end up in the bush without anything at all.
Stone tools are usually not very sharp (it's still better than nothing), but if you can find some obsidian (looks like black glass), you can get a better edge than any steel can provide (this has been tested by surgeons, and observed with an electronic microscope). It's not very tough (will chip and break easily), but it cuts like hell.
Cheers,
David
Most of us carry blades (often more than one), but you never know when you can end up in the bush without anything at all.
Stone tools are usually not very sharp (it's still better than nothing), but if you can find some obsidian (looks like black glass), you can get a better edge than any steel can provide (this has been tested by surgeons, and observed with an electronic microscope). It's not very tough (will chip and break easily), but it cuts like hell.
Cheers,
David
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Excuse my brain fart. That's what picking a word or two when I'm in a hurry does for me.
Yeah, I still think that the old ways of doing things are relevent to a survivalist or any outdoorsman for that matter. If a TEOTWAWKI moment strikes, our modern gear would be gone in a relatively short time and knowing some alternative methods of doing things would definitely extend our ability to exist under less than ideal circumstances.
Yeah, I still think that the old ways of doing things are relevent to a survivalist or any outdoorsman for that matter. If a TEOTWAWKI moment strikes, our modern gear would be gone in a relatively short time and knowing some alternative methods of doing things would definitely extend our ability to exist under less than ideal circumstances.
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- Aug 24, 2003
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A couple of things about survival should be taken into consideration before we talk about whether stone tools are viable for you. The essentials in order: 1. Shelter 2. Water 3. Fire 4. Food. Before we start another thread, I know some of you think water is number one, but lets not go there now.
Does shelter require a cutting instrument? No. Does water require a cutting instrument? No. Does fire? If you dont have a lighter, matches, or something that creates spark and you have the skill to make a bow or hand drill, then YES. And obviously, food requires a cutting edge, for trap making to cleaning animals.
So to answer your question, if you know how to make fire using primitive methods, you might as well as take it one step further and at least learn to make a cutting edge out of rock. For cultures and those purists out there, stone tools rank as the silent # 3 next to fire in the order.
Yes you can find flint, chert, shell, and/or coral just about anywhere. All can make a cutting edge. Obsidian is volcanic rock and can only be found in certain areas of the Rocky Mountains here in the U.S. Obsidian is very desirable for flint knapping as it is very easy to work and can be sharper than any steel. If fact it is sharper than they can make any scalpel, thus it is used in special surgeries.
I suggest looking for rock with high glass content and breaking them with a hammer stone until you get a sharp edge. It doesnt have to be pretty or symmetrical, just sharp. A hammer stone can virtually be any rock. And to check for high glass content rocks, bang some together and listen. The higher the pitch, the more glass.
You can read books and search the web to learn how to make arrowheads but that is tough. I have heard videos are a good way. Or you can do what I did and look for a knap-in in your area. Buy a kit and some rock from someone selling there and ask them to get you started. They will be happy to make another convert. And dont leave until you make your first arrowhead.
Personally, I like having this skill as it gives me a comfort level with where I am in life. I can also tell you flint knapping is a kin to whittling when it comes to relaxing. However, it is also the original blood sport, as you will get cut.
Hope that helps. Here are some good links:
http://www.nativewayonline.com/
http://www.earthskills.net/main.htm
http://www.flintknapping.com/index.html
Does shelter require a cutting instrument? No. Does water require a cutting instrument? No. Does fire? If you dont have a lighter, matches, or something that creates spark and you have the skill to make a bow or hand drill, then YES. And obviously, food requires a cutting edge, for trap making to cleaning animals.
So to answer your question, if you know how to make fire using primitive methods, you might as well as take it one step further and at least learn to make a cutting edge out of rock. For cultures and those purists out there, stone tools rank as the silent # 3 next to fire in the order.
Yes you can find flint, chert, shell, and/or coral just about anywhere. All can make a cutting edge. Obsidian is volcanic rock and can only be found in certain areas of the Rocky Mountains here in the U.S. Obsidian is very desirable for flint knapping as it is very easy to work and can be sharper than any steel. If fact it is sharper than they can make any scalpel, thus it is used in special surgeries.
I suggest looking for rock with high glass content and breaking them with a hammer stone until you get a sharp edge. It doesnt have to be pretty or symmetrical, just sharp. A hammer stone can virtually be any rock. And to check for high glass content rocks, bang some together and listen. The higher the pitch, the more glass.
You can read books and search the web to learn how to make arrowheads but that is tough. I have heard videos are a good way. Or you can do what I did and look for a knap-in in your area. Buy a kit and some rock from someone selling there and ask them to get you started. They will be happy to make another convert. And dont leave until you make your first arrowhead.
Personally, I like having this skill as it gives me a comfort level with where I am in life. I can also tell you flint knapping is a kin to whittling when it comes to relaxing. However, it is also the original blood sport, as you will get cut.
Hope that helps. Here are some good links:
http://www.nativewayonline.com/
http://www.earthskills.net/main.htm
http://www.flintknapping.com/index.html
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- Aug 24, 2003
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- 1,461
Oh, couple more things. If you are in a situation and need to boil water, or make a container for that matter, you need fire, so stone tools COULD be even more important.
I also like the idea of being able to hold back my steel blade for delicate work and using stone tools if I was in a long term situation.
Finally, after you carve your first bow drill set and make fire by friction, you will have a new appreciation for your knife, steel one that is. I consider my knife a luxury I would not want to be with out.
I also like the idea of being able to hold back my steel blade for delicate work and using stone tools if I was in a long term situation.
Finally, after you carve your first bow drill set and make fire by friction, you will have a new appreciation for your knife, steel one that is. I consider my knife a luxury I would not want to be with out.