flintknapping, how to

This section of the History and Primitive Technology Page is humbly dedicated to my friend John Geyer, A unique person, a Master Flintknapper, and generous teacher. John, you are missed by all who knew you.

I am a member of a flintknapping club called the Michigan Flintknappers. There are people in this group who are at all levels of skill-from beginner to some really phenomenal stone artisans. I really consider myself lucky to hang out with these people here in Michigan because everyone I’ve met so far has been extremely helpful, friendly, and supportive.

For two years, when I first started knapping, I would travel every Thursday to Battle Creek where a group of us got together and flintknapped at the home of our friendly and talented host John Geyer. Sometimes we would invite knappers we had heard about to join us. Our Thursday group knapped with artists like Carl Doney and Craig Ratzat. We still get together occasionally and there is much camaraderie and sharing of knapping hints and techniques.

What I’d like to do here is try and get this sharing thing going for you. My intent isn't to try and give you an instruction manual for flintknapping. The marvelous books by D.C. Waldorf and John Whittaker and videos like those by Craig Ratzat can do that much better than I. But I do want to let you know of any hints, techniques, or breakthroughs in understanding the process that I have experienced with the hope that they will be of help.

I am not an expert. I’m still learning. I’m getting some good points and have started to feel more confident about my abilities.I have a lifetime of learning ahead of me. But if anything I put on this page helps you then that would make me happy indeed. We learn faster when we learn together.

Let’s see if anything below interests you.