Hi, Rhino.^Rhino! wrote:What color?Ugly Dougly wrote:Hey you stone dogs, or ah rock hounds, whatever.
I'm in search of some good quality flint. Thought I would practice knapping.
Any leads?
My favorite is still the black flint we used to get around McMinnville, Tennessee when I was still tromping around that state. It occurs as nodules in the Fort Payne Formation surrounding the central highland rim in the state. It was competent enough to make anything from large spear points down to the small 'bird points' and was prized during Indian occupation by the Cherokee and Creek nations.
Here in Missouri, we have loads of chert of all types and colors that qualify as knapping flint. Quality varies.
You tried obsidian?
That stuff is so sharp, it's STILL used in surgical knives. I have an obsidian knife at home, and it cuts through paper like butter. The big nightmare for rangers at Yellowstone is still a busload of geology students with rock hammers headed towards Obsidan Cliff. Collecting there without a permit is still illegal and prosecuted.
I'm actually looking for flint for fire-starting with steel as well. Found some brown chert at Marin Headlands, but it breaks up just as it makes a spark. Apparently the best flint comes from England.
I have some friends who knap with obsidian; they say they get it from a place called "Glass Mountain". I should start knapping with that, huh?
Have a great Friday!
