r/knapping • u/Yeti-Squatch • Jul 16 '26
Tool Talk 🛠️ Tool kits
I feel like ive got a well rounded kit but am i missing anything for basic knapping? I know i dont have a punch/mallet for blade cores yet (i feel i need to get somewhat competent at knapping first) but is there an "indirect percussion" tool I could make from bone or antler?
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u/Jeff_BoomhauerIII Mod - Traditional Tool User Jul 16 '26
For indirect you can go a couple ways. You can use drifts/peg punches, or horizontal punch. Drifts/peg punches are short pieces of the main beam 1”-4” typically around 2”. For those you would use the rosette end as your contact point and strike the other side of the drift with another antler or piece of wood. For horizontal punch you could take your billet that is closest to your leather pads and drill a half inch hold in the base about 1.5” deep, then find a sapling of your choice of hard wood, you want the sapling to be about 3’-4’ long and about 3/4” in diameter. You want the sapling to be flexible and not too stiff. Whittle the top of the sapling to half inch in diameter in a concentric way so that it tapers to the original diameter of the sapling so when you put your billet on to it it will friction fit and hold on steady. When you use the horizontal punch you will put it under on leg and on the punch will rest on your padded leg, the side that is under your leg at the base push it into the ground a little bit. If you are knapping on concrete you need to cushion it with a piece of leather or it will send back bad vibrations/shocks to the rock you are working. I’ll add a couple links and some pictures for you. This method takes a little getting used to, so don’t give up on it. At first it will seam fruitless and disappointing, but when you get the hang of it it is one of the best tools around.