flin:flintknapping

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flin:flintknapping [2026/03/16 16:27] – Simon Grantflin: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 ======
  
  
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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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-## 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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-##  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. 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.
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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)). 
 + 
 +===== Further resources =====
  
 - [Lithic Studies Society](https://www.lithics.org/) - research into flint & stone tools - [Lithic Studies Society](https://www.lithics.org/) - research into flint & stone tools
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-## Related topics+===== Related topics =====
  
 - [Bow making](bowm:bow_making) - [Bow making](bowm:bow_making)
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-## Specialist curators of this topic+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
  • flin/flintknapping.1773678420.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2026/03/16 16:27
  • by Simon Grant