[TheForge] Flint nodules

[Jerry Frost]

I've done some knapping though mostly obsidian I've played with flint and 
chert a bit.

Flint comes in two general formations, tabular and nodules. Tabular flint 
forms in large sheets while nodules form usually in chalk formations. It 
generally forms as an aqueous precipitate and is in the same general family 
of silicious minerals as agate, chert, opal, etc.

There are a couple things to try to find good material:

Finding it yourself will require a little knowledge but once you know what 
to look for and where isn't a major thing.

Contact your local gem and mineral society, they'll be able to tell you if 
there is any in your area, sell you maps, maybe include you in a field trip 
or point you to a local who will sell you some. If there isn't any locally, 
they will be able to put you in touch with a rock club where flint is found.

Try contacting a rock shop for the same info and options.

Moving farther afield, try contacting a gem and mineral society in Oklahoma 
or Texas. Therre are other states with common flint deposits but I don't 
know them off hand.

On the practical side, if it turns out you live near flint formations and 
start collecting take a hammer and a 12-18" prybar. I once pestered the hell 
out of an old guy who claimed to know how to make stone tools about 
selecting good flaking obsidian.

After buying about $40 worth of stuff from his rock shop he finally sighed 
in exasperation and took me out back to the bins of obsidian. He took a 
double fist sized piece out of a bin saying this was bad flaking stone and 
gave it a hard smack with his rock hammer. After a couple solid smacks it 
finally broke with a large, deep, bulb of percussion and sharp uneven runout 
with nemerous deep rays and ripples. He tossed the pieces back in the bin 
and walked over to another bin saying this was good material. Selecting a 
similar sized piece he gave it a tap with the hammer. This piece broke 
easily with a tink and quiet snap displayed a small bulb of percussion, 
smooth flatter runout, very few and shallow rays and ripples.

It was a real head slapping moment. I'd been pestering this guy about how to 
tell if it was good material. The way you tell is to field test it. Give it 
a whack if it breaks properly it's good if not it isn't. I was pretty 
embarassed.

If you want to try flint knapping get this book. "Flintknapping" - "Making & 
Understanding Stone Tools" by John C. Whittaker
ISBN 0-292-79083-X

This is a genuine how to for flint knapping in specific and any kind of 
knapping in general. It covers the three main techniques in detail with good 
illustrations and explanations. It clearly explains how good material 
behaves and what to do to improve marginal material.

Most importantly it explains a number of the tricks necessary to make it 
work hands on. A number of years ago a friend of my Father showed me how to 
flake obsidian. I messed around with it for a couple years, regularly flying 
home from vacation with 70+ lbs of obsidian. I'd hit a wall though, I just 
couldn't get the obsidian flakes to run properly.

This book showed me exactly how to correct the problem, explained the what 
and why of the situation and has numerous photos and illustrations of 
artifacts showing how the particular techniques were applied.

Frosty
------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.


From: "Bruce Freeman" <FREEMAB at pt.fdah.com>

Subject: [TheForge] Flint nodules


> >From time to time I've had a yen to try flint knapping.  Knowing
> absolutely (or almost absolutely) nothing about the art, and having no
> ready access to flint has quelled my enthusiasm a mite.
>
> But flint is a natural rock, and I figure with an eclectic group like
> this, someone out there might know where it's found.  After all, there
> are places you can go to mine (or pan) gemstones.  Maybe there's
> someplace we can go to gather flint nodules?  Anyone know?  Anyone else
> interested?  (I have been known to read up on subjects and come back
> with a wealth of info.  Haven't done it yet about flint.)
>
> Bruce
> NJ