How to Knapp a Vertical Side

Across the globe, prehistoric indigenous cultures used to make weapons and tools out of stone, wood and bone. One art of tool and weapon making is known as flint-knapping. This art is particularly used for making arrowheads, spear-tips or other projectile points. During this process the vertical sides of the stone are shaped "knapped" into a straight, sharp edge. Knapping a sharp, vertical edge can be accomplished using the traditional method.

Things You'll Need

  • Knapping stone (flint, obsidian, chert or other ideal stone)
  • Hammer-stone (hard river rock with narrow end)
  • Bone or antler
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Instructions

    • 1

      Drape a piece of rawhide or leather material over your nondominant hand. Place the stone to be knapped in your palm, on top of the leather or rawhide. The leather material will help protect your hand from abrasion while you flint-knapp.

    • 2

      Strike the stone using firm downward pressure with a hard round hammer-stone. Begin at the top of the stone and work down along the vertical edge. A smooth river rock with a narrow end is ideal for knapping.

    • 3

      Continue striking the stone in this manner until you've chipped off enough material to form a straight, vertical edge. Flip the stone over and repeat on the back side of the newly formed edge. This action will begin to form a sharp edge on the stone.

    • 4

      Perform the same steps on the opposite vertical side of the stone. Once both sides are complete, hold a narrow ended piece of bone or antler against the edge beginning at the top. Push down and away from the edge using firm pressure. This is called pressure flaking.

    • 5

      Continue pressure flaking from top to bottom on both sides of the stone. This action will form the sharp, cutting edge of the stone.