Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: iowabow on July 15, 2013, 10:28:09 am

Title: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: iowabow on July 15, 2013, 10:28:09 am
Why if I make arrowheads from chert is it call "Flint knapping"?
Title: Re: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: Josh B on July 15, 2013, 10:51:20 am
I don't know John.  ???  If it bothers you, in honor of your classic victory I guess we could call you the crapper knapper. >:D. Would that be better?   Lol!  Josh
Title: Re: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: iowabow on July 15, 2013, 10:56:13 am
I don't know John.  ???  If it bothers you, in honor of your classic victory I guess we could call you the crapper knapper. >:D. Would that be better?   Lol!  Josh
Lol that's the kind of light hearted responce I was looking for lol
Title: Re: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: TRACY on July 15, 2013, 12:26:37 pm
John, I'm sure many geologists would agree.

Back at you: Why is it called an arrowhead and not an arrow point? Point implies sharpness and head implies ??. (Sorry, having an 8th grader moment >:D)


Tracy
Title: Re: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: JEB on July 15, 2013, 12:38:26 pm
Not sure that there is even any flint in the U.S.   Or at least that is native to the U.S.  I think true English flint can be found along the eastern shore line. I understand it was used for ship ballast and then dumbed after or while the ships were being loaded.    It would be interesting to read if there is any true flint rock in America. Think everyone just refers to rock as flint, hence flintknapping.
Title: Re: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: mullet on July 15, 2013, 01:35:53 pm
All of the Geologist I have worked with said there is no true flint in the US.
Title: Re: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on July 15, 2013, 01:42:56 pm
Where can one obtain true flint?
Title: Re: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: Will H on July 15, 2013, 01:51:08 pm
True flint is all overseas. Mostly in Europe. The closest thing to it we have here is in the chalk beds in TX. So Georgetown, pedernales, and rootbeer. I think there are a few dealers that sell English flint. As for the name flintknapping. I belive it originates from gun flint makers in Europe.
Title: Re: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: gstoneberg on July 15, 2013, 02:14:37 pm
That reminds me, I work with a guy from the UK and he said if I remind him he'd bring over as much flint from his yard as he could get in his luggage (and still meet the weight limits).  He's coming in a couple weeks, I'm gonna go email him a reminder. :)

George
Title: Re: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: iowabow on July 15, 2013, 03:10:44 pm
That reminds me, I work with a guy from the UK and he said if I remind him he'd bring over as much flint from his yard as he could get in his luggage (and still meet the weight limits).  He's coming in a couple weeks, I'm gonna go email him a reminder. :)

George
Read the fine print please
"this post has a reminder tax"
Title: Re: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: gstoneberg on July 15, 2013, 03:28:41 pm
LOL, I'm sure it does.  Here's the response from my friend (I asked if he would forget - and included a picture):

Of course not! :-)

I'm out and about near Winchester at the weekend and there should be plenty of lovely flint lying around! What sort of sized lumps are you after?

Neil

PS That is a very nice arrow head!


Sure hope he comes through.

George
Title: Re: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: iowabow on July 15, 2013, 03:44:46 pm
Dear Neal,
Please don't bother with anything plate size or smaller.
Thanks G
P.S. See ya on the other side of the pond!
Title: Re: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: bowtarist on July 15, 2013, 06:07:24 pm
Tracy made me laugh. dp
Title: Re: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: YosemiteBen on July 18, 2013, 12:47:35 pm
Hmmm... interesting question. In the beginning the term was coined in Europe where they do have flint (seems to have some translucency). Knapping is the art of making stone tools. For some discussions I also point out that arrow heads, arrow points and projectile points are all tools as opposed to weapons as their original intent  was for hunting and/or ceremonial more so than killing other people.  I have not been able to find any information which provides a very solid distinction between Chert and Flint. I have heard that like granite and obsidian, they are geologically/technically the same thing. Hmmm .... another can of worms.  Kind of like folks referring to deer horns when they are actually antlers. Semantics to say the least is some cases, but certainly not all!

So: Knapping = the creation of stone tools regardless of the material
Arrow/projectile + point, head = a pointy, sharp tool designed to penetrate something whether it is a stump, straw bale, foam target, food, or the enemy without.

Just my cent of two after taxes.
Ben
Title: Re: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: JackCrafty on July 18, 2013, 02:35:53 pm
Basically, flint is an extremely fine grained chert that occurs in chalk beds.  Yes, flint is a variety of chert.

Flint exists in the Americas but does not have the same history of intense quarrying as it does in Europe.  And not all flint in Europe is of good quality.

Georgetown chert that occurs in chalk beds is every bit as good as European flint and is getting more and more attention in the quarries.  I'm sure there are other chalk beds in the US that could be mined for flint as well.
Title: Re: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: JackCrafty on July 18, 2013, 02:47:57 pm
We could always change the term to chert chippin' or "kill me now before I die of frustration".   >:D
Title: Re: just for fun (dumb question)
Post by: iowabow on July 18, 2013, 03:41:22 pm
We could always change the term to chert chippin' or "kill me now before I die of frustration".   >:D
Ok Patrick that was really funny ;D ;D :D