flin:flintknapping

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flin:flintknapping [2025/12/05 10:12] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1flin:flintknapping [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Flintknapping+This topic is part of [[gt:crafts|Crafts & making]] and [[gt:bushcraft|Bushcraft & Nature]]. 
 +====== Flintknapping ======
  
  
-![Flintknapping](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/flintknapping.jpg)+![Flintknapping](wiki:flintknapping.jpg)
  
 --- ---
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-## What is flintknapping?+===== What is flintknapping? =====
  
 Flintknapping is the art of making stone tools using a material capable of producing a conchoidal fracture, which generates a sharp edge on its circumference. A conchoidal (shell-like) fracture is one that doesn't follow any predetermined plane due to the structure of the material, but depends entirely on the angle and force of the blow that caused it. Only a few stones can be worked in this way - for example basalt, chert or quartz. But best of all is flint, which formed the basis of stone-age technology.  Flintknapping is the art of making stone tools using a material capable of producing a conchoidal fracture, which generates a sharp edge on its circumference. A conchoidal (shell-like) fracture is one that doesn't follow any predetermined plane due to the structure of the material, but depends entirely on the angle and force of the blow that caused it. Only a few stones can be worked in this way - for example basalt, chert or quartz. But best of all is flint, which formed the basis of stone-age technology. 
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 <caption> <caption>
-Flint is formed from sediments that have been altered by temperature and pressure, forming a glass-like structure.+_Flint is formed from sediments that have been altered by temperature and pressure, forming a glass-like structure._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-A true master at work - Will Lord turining a raw block of flint into a tool.+_A true master at work - Will Lord turining a raw block of flint into a tool._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Flint hand-axe and arrowheads.+_Flint hand-axe and arrowheads._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Roughing out greenstone with a soft hammer (red deer antler).+_Roughing out greenstone with a soft hammer (red deer antler)._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## What are the benefits of flintknapping?+===== What are the benefits of flintknapping? =====
  
 Flintknapping is of great archaeological interest; there is little other evidence of ancient lifestyles as most possessions were perishable Flintknapping is of great archaeological interest; there is little other evidence of ancient lifestyles as most possessions were perishable
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 <caption> <caption>
-Flint arrowheads fixed to shafts with pine pitch, beeswax and ground charcoal glue, and bound with deer tendon.+_Flint arrowheads fixed to shafts with pine pitch, beeswax and ground charcoal glue, and bound with deer tendon._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-##  What can I do?+=====  What can I do? =====
  
-You can't learn flintknapping by reading about it, unfortunately. The first thing to do is attend a [course](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/directory/categories/flintknapping-courses). It's best to have a vision of what you want to make before you start, rather than haphazardly working to see what emerges. That way you can visualise the finished item in the stone that you choose and work with.+You can't learn flintknapping by reading about it, unfortunately. The first thing to do is attend a course. It's best to have a vision of what you want to make before you start, rather than haphazardly working to see what emerges. That way you can visualise the finished item in the stone that you choose and work with.
  
 Flint, or other suitable stone, is readily available in many parts of the world, especially in sea cliffs or river beds, but also in chalk landscapes anywhere. You could also ask at a local quarry about what kind of stones are found in your area. In the UK, flint is found south-east of a line drawn roughly from Lincolnshire to Portsmouth. Where it doesn't exist there are often alternatives - for example greenstone in Cornwall and Cumbria. You can also buy flintknapping kits with the tools and materials you need to start. Flint, or other suitable stone, is readily available in many parts of the world, especially in sea cliffs or river beds, but also in chalk landscapes anywhere. You could also ask at a local quarry about what kind of stones are found in your area. In the UK, flint is found south-east of a line drawn roughly from Lincolnshire to Portsmouth. Where it doesn't exist there are often alternatives - for example greenstone in Cornwall and Cumbria. You can also buy flintknapping kits with the tools and materials you need to start.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Hand-axe fixed to a wooden handle with natural cord.+_Hand-axe fixed to a wooden handle with natural cord._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Flint is used in the walls of many old houses in the south of England.+_Flint is used in the walls of many old houses in the south of England._
  
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-## Further resources+===== Forum =====
  
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:crafts|Crafts & making]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/crafts).
  
 +It is also in the section [[gt:bushcraft|Bushcraft & Nature]] (Forum: [Bushcraft & Nature](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/bushcraft)).
  
-## Specialist(s)+===== Further resources ===== 
 + 
 +- [Lithic Studies Society](https://www.lithics.org/) - research into flint & stone tools 
 +- [Implement Petrology Group](https://implementpetrology.org/) - international network of archaeologists studying stone tools 
 +- [Flintknapping info](https://flintknappinginfo.yourwebsitespace.com/index.html) - free e-books 
 +- [Neolithics](https://www.neolithics.com/) - worldwide flintknapping tools & supplies 
 +- [Flint Knapping](https://static.secure.website/wscfus/3780471/uploads/Online_Flintknapping_Articles9-30-11.pdf) - large collection of flintknapping articles 
 +- [FlintSource.net](https://www.flintsource.net/) - sources of flint and other materials 
 +- [Onagocag Publishing](https://www.onagocag.com/knapping.html) - techniques, illustrations, tutorials 
 +- [Paleo Planet](https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/paleoplanet69529/flintknapping-forums-f154/?sid=3077e6db111ef7d5f6d3ccba14bf9ab3) - flintknapping forum 
 +- [the Illustration of Lithic Artifacts](https://www.archaeologists.net/sites/default/files/2025-04/flint-paper-digital.pdf) 
 +- [Puget Sound Knappers](https://www.pugetsoundknappers.com/) - instructional articles and interesting stuff 
 +- [Making arrowheads](https://www.wildernesscollege.com/making-arrowheads.html) 
 +- [Museum of the Stone Age](https://www.stoneagetools.co.uk/) - virtual museum of stone age tools 
 +- [Projectile Points](https://www.projectilepoints.net/) - arrowhead identification guide 
 +- [Making arrowheads](https://www.wildernesscollege.com/making-arrowheads.html) 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Related topics ===== 
 + 
 +- [Bow making](bowm:bow_making) 
 +- [Craft production](craf:craft) 
 +- [Bushcraft](bush:bushcraft) 
 +- [Stone carving](stoc:stone_carving) 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
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