I'm thinking about trying my hand at some knapping. I don't know a whole lot about geology or rocks, just enough to be dangerous. That said, I know almost nothing about rocks/minerals that are considered to be useable for knapping. I've started doing a little bit of learning here and there, and it looks like chert is a commonly used rock. I've gathered some knife river flint, but have been advised to not try using it until I've got the fundamentals down well. I guess knife river flint is kind of valuable/rare in the knapping community? Anyway, does anyone know how to identify chert, and what it may look like for different regions in the US? I know there are places I can go online to buy chert, but I also know it can be found here in ND, so I'd like to be able to source my own. What can I say, I'm a cheapskate!

If you break a rock and it has a glassy smooth break it can be used for knapping. Anything granular won't work. Check out the youtube channel "HuntPrimitive". About 2 years ago he did a beginners video on knapping. Long (1 hour 44 minutes) but very detailed.

Try using glass first. The structure of glass is predictable. The bottoms of glass bottles are free. To remove the bottom just drop a 16 penny nail in it then put your thumb over the top and shake until the bottom falls off.

Once you get really frustrated then go to a knapp-in somewhere.


P.s. do NOT buy a weighted bopper

Break the rock and look at the face, if it has a kind of creamy semi opaque look and texture, it should knap nicely. If you can get your hands on some volcanic glass called Obsidian, that's super good stuff.

I've been getting more into collecting authentic ground stone tools, arrowheads and javelin points.

When I was in my teens, I used to knap some. I didn't have any good natural materials to use and didn't know about knapping glass yet, so I never got very good.

This forum has some good information.

https://forums.arrowheads.com/forum/other-activities-hobbies-gc26/modern-flint-knapping-etc-gc143

They had the Flint Ridge Knap in a few weeks ago. We almost went.

http://www.flintridgeohio.org/events

The Nethers Farm near Flint Ridge lets people collect flint from the pit mines and pay on the honor system. It's pretty cheap. Knappers come from all over the world to dig flint there. Flint Ridge flint artifacts were traded all over North America by Native Americans.

My favorite Facebook group is Ohio River Valley Arrowhead Hunters and Collectors.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/112067978830753/?ref=group_browse

Keith

Any igneous rock (rock formed by heat) That has few or no mineral deposits in it will work. the best stuff to start out with is window pane glass or the bottoms of bottles especially the thick ones with no curve. It you want natural rock novaculite is a good one to start on and it can be purchased or traded on knapping forums. Flint river is not rare by any means just not available in many areas. I have quite a bit of obsidian if you want to trade or by also it works easy but it will also break easy very unforgiving to a bad strike. You best use some protective gear mask and eye wear also some technique to protect your hands. I have seen a lot of injuries especially from obsidian. the dust or particles are like tiny razors and will do damage to your lungs if inhaled.

Obsidian works really nice. Easy to pressure flake.
I bought some blank slabs on ebay years ago.

North Dakota is home to Knife River flint. Though finding a spot to dig might be tough. Knappers are as secretive about their sources as mushroom hunters are.

I just did this one last week PM me if you need help

I knapoed for a number of years and got fairly good at it but a severe case of tendinitis in both arms at the same time pushed me away. You must also be wary of breathing in the dust created when percussion flaking, it’s a good way to get Silicosis. The weird thing for me was at the time (no internet, just a D.C. Waldorph book on the subject) was that after some basic skills were learned, it almost seemed intuitive. I believe we all have that ability buried deep in our DNA. Met some amazing knappers at primitive archery shoots, knapping get togethers.