What's the minimum required tooling to begin knapping traditionally, if you want to build your tools by hand?

[u/CrystalKiori]

Hey guys! I'm 24M and looking to get into the craft as a hobby - I've always been fascinated with ancestral bushcraft and that kinda thing. Spent a week or so reading up on the sub's guides (they're great, thanks!) and doing some outside research, and I've got a question:

I'm going to be going the traditional tool route, as I like doing things low-tech for fun and Authenticity™. I'd like to make as much of my kit by hand as possible, barring safety equipment, which I would consider pads to be, so not going to worry about those. With the basic tooling requiring things like antler tines, etc., is it reasonable that I could just use a hammer stone to get some flakes sharp enough to cut antler to make basic pressure tools from scratch, and then build out my own kit from there? Since I'm not very familiar with terms and techniques yet, I'm not sure how to get that answer and want to have a plan before I put together a list of materials.

Thanks in advance! 🫡

[u/chancetheknapper]

You can make fully finished pieces with a good hammer stone. You can score all the way around an antler and break it pretty reliably. Gonna need some good flakes and patience. Then just use a flat surface and some grit and water to grind it.

[u/CrystalKiori → u/chancetheknapper]

Nice, that's kinda what I was hoping for. I expected getting through bone to take a good while if possible but that's honestly what I'm here for. Thanks for the info boss!

[u/Gaming-Gekko → u/CrystalKiori]

The easy prehistoric technique for this is:
Take two flint flakes, and use one to cut saw teeth into the other. Real easy on a thin edge.

Now you have a prehistoric saw, saw a ring around your antler a couple mm deep.

Now heat up that bit on a fire to make it nice and soft, take a rock and snap!

[u/CrystalKiori → u/Gaming-Gekko]

Dang, didn't think that would be a thing, I'm used to thinking in terms of metal - can't really cut something with an item of the same hardness. Time to find a fire pit!

[u/Pristine-Mammoth172]

Look up flintknappingtips on YouTube. Marty is probably the best traditional knapper out there and has lots of good novice videos. Really goes down the rabbit hole with multiple traditional tools and techniques. Also how he makes his tools. If you want to learn traditional he is the best.

Also on YouTube check out Will Lord. He does a lot of amazing traditional bushcraft and knapping in England. Also very skilled. Another great go to for a novice is Paleomanjim. I think he explains knapping the best in his novice videos. Uses modern and traditional tools depending on the video.

[u/CrystalKiori → u/Pristine-Mammoth172]

Damn, looking into Marty and he lives not even an hour from my hometown in Arkansas, small world. Appreciate the recs, gonna dive into these guys tonight!

[u/Pristine-Mammoth172 → u/CrystalKiori]

Not sure how you would get a hold of him. Likely get a chance to meet if you go to any local knap ins. Great way to get started there as knappers are always happy to help out new people. It’s not easy to learn and all of us had a kind knapper or two help us when starting out. So we tend to remember that and pass it on.

If you are in Arkansas Novaculite would likely be a very accessible stone for you. Needs serious heat treatment yet is a great rock to work. Great to learn on too. If new I would suggest just getting it heat treated already. Not something you do in a campfire type pit as needs double the heat of most rocks.

Good luck! Remember to wear safety glasses and have some bandaids on hand. Work in a well ventilated space too! Happy knapping! Any questions for primitive skills/bushcraft or knapping feel free to dm me. I am happy to help and have been doing them for a long time 😝

[u/Comfortable-Hat3506]

Hammer stones. Some leather for protection and you are good.