Please tell me this is knappable

[osage outlaw]

I would love to get into flintknapping, but I have been having a hard time finding the correct material.  Well, today while walking in a creek in Northern KY, I came across a bunch of rocks that look knappable, but I have no clue what they are.  I could take another rock and break off chips from the edges.  A lot of the rocks were light grey with darker blue centers.  They are very smooth on the flat areas.  I hauled a bunch up the hill and brought home since we are expecting a ton of rain this weekend.  I left a couple of really big pieces.  I really hope I have something good that I can learn on.  Here are some pictures.  Thanks for any help.

[ricktrojanowski]

The location and the look of those is promising.  If it is flaking, I would say it is knappable.  You'll get better advice when some of the guys get back from the classic.   They will be able identify that rock much better than me.

[osage outlaw]

Thanks.  I tried using a tine from a shed antler and was able to get some good chips from it, but I have no idea what I am doing yet.

[hillbilly61]

KY Blue chert?

[sailordad]

well i am not a master knapper but i can knapp a nice point
i live in an area that has virtualy no knappible materials,so i buy/trade for my rocks
i cant identify most rocks,but i have had some ky blue but it didnt look like that
that does look like it should knapp though
the long flakes youve knocked off makes it look quit promising

tell ya what i will be a nice guy so you dont waste your time
send me a box filled with some nice sized pieces and i will knapp it(or try too) and let ya know if it is knappible or not 

[Bill Skinner]

It is some type of oil impregnated shale.  The light grey will not knap, it can be beaten into rough hoes and spuds but it will destroy your tools.  The black can be knapped and pressure flaked.  The problem with that stuff(I don't know the correct name) is, it is usually broken up with dynamite and the black knappable stuff has lots of small micro fractures that cause the preform to crumble.  If your preform holds together when you spall it out, it will knap.  Do this away from the house, you will get a very strong diesel smell.  Bill

[sailordad]

diesel smell

dover?

[Bill Skinner]

You are going to need some hammer stones to reduce that.  I like one about the size of a baseball.  Beat all the grey off at the site, it saves having to clean it up and haul it off.  The darker the material, the better.  That is going to be some tough stuff to learn on, it is slightly tougher than ryolite.  Bill

[mullet]

 It looks like Gneiss. Like Bill said, tough.

[osage outlaw]

Do I need to heat treat it?

[mullet]

 It won't help it.

[leapingbare]

yea i think you could knapp it for sure.. but its defiantly not the best material, your in a good location to find good flint, keep looking 

[osage outlaw]

Is a creek the best place to look?  I live in SE Indiana, but spend a lot of time in Northern KY.  This is the only thing I've found that even looked knappable.

[Bill Skinner]

Where you are, look for chalk and chalk covered bowling balls.  That is what nodular chert looks like.  It will require you to knock a chunk off while you are out there.  It will have a shiny blue black center.  It will turn dark blue to greyish if it has been exposed to the elements.  How far are you from Flint Ridge?  Bill

[osage outlaw]

Probably not very close.  I have never heard of it.  I have been looking for the nodules, but haven't found any yet.