Is there one DVD, or Book that stands above the rest when it comes to learning how to knap some hunting heads?
This should help a little.
http://www.3riversarchery.com/Primitives+Flint+Knapping_c13_s39_p0_thumb.html
Here is the best instructional video I've seen.
Woody Blackwell (http://www.woodyblackwell.com/)
Click on the DVD tab on top of the page, but also make sure you browse the artwork.
"Caught Knapping" by Craig Ratzat is good video for beginners which I recommend.
I liked the begineers Dvd with Mark Bracken of flintknappingtools.com. Sure wish I could remeber who i lent it to.:>(Bob
Well as long as its a consensus then.
Looks like a fellow can't go wrong no matter which way he starts.
I appreciate your time
thanks guys
woody blackwells DVD is great along with D.C waldorfs DVDs. get the dvds over the books. there is lots to learn by watching these two masters at work.
Tons of good vids on YouTube too bud.
dc waldorfs book is awesome, but i would suggest getting his dvds to visulize it a little better, it helps
Back in the day we didn't have knappin books, we just figured it out. And it was uphill to and from school (knappin school) both ways LOL.
Bob Patten also has some books that are pretty good.I myself have never been that focused on teaching, it seems to be rarely sucessfull, especially in the all stone and bone areas.
Youtube and go the the Paleo Planet.com web site
paleoplanet or primitive archer forum. both have some of the best knappers out there posting.
QuoteOriginally posted by artifaker1:
Back in the day we didn't have knappin books, we just figured it out. And it was uphill to and from school (knappin school) both ways LOL.
Bob Patten also has some books that are pretty good.I myself have never been that focused on teaching, it seems to be rarely sucessfull, especially in the all stone and bone areas.
lmao
I didn't know there was a primitive archer forum. Thanks A lot. Like I need another procrastination aid.
As I recall some of my flintknapping beginning I had at least some input and at times a lot of input from others. I didn't mean to come off gruff, but it is really hard. I was able to make arrowheads that were fairly nice after about a year of experimenting. But most would have been to narrow for some state laws to use for hunting. With the learning tools we have now I would think considerable time could be shaved off of that time.
Now I make everything on a percussion biface, even small arrowheads. That allows you to get them much thinner for the width (requires some skill though).
I have had a number of students over the years but I can't remember any of them that really came to a good strong journeyman level in stone and bone knapping. A lot of the really good early knappers are mostly self-taught with themselves adding some technique or style of there own to the method. But I'm also sure that I've helped a lot of knappers who are on a fairly high level of stone and bone knapping. Just by being at a knappin and talking and discussing things that is. It is much easier to teach people who have been studying and doing their homework. There were key moments for me, when all I needed was to see something being done just once to trigger a revelation.
IMOW there isn't a bad Knapping DVD out there. With that said though another to add to your list is the DVD by the late Bill Metcalf. It's the one I used to get started.
I got started back before we had an information super highway.
I had one book, a bucket of obsidian, and job with long boring stretches of nothing to do.
I got some of the basics down.
I could make a piece of rock look like an arrow head, (to a tourist in a Rubber Tomahawk Store).
But, nothing that would work for hunting.
Thanks for the replys guys, I appreciate it.
If you are truly interested in trying you hand at chipping then buy D.C 's book and study it. There are some good DVD's out there and most have been mentioned here. But I would additionally try getting on the internet and find a Knappin near you a go early and stay late. Please note that I said study the book not just read it, it will help arm you with information that you need. Relevant imformation will led to learning and understanding.