One of the best abo flint knapping tutorials on RUclips this man deservers to be paid more he's a flint knapping legend and goes supper into detail about every step.
Your video's are the modern equivelent of the grown-ups of the tribe/village/community sitting you down to teach you with patience. i very recently started to take stone knapping from just watching videos, gaining theoretical knowledge to finally try knapping myself. Even after hours and hours of watching videos it is still magic to me, but i have slightly more knowledge than i had before my first hit. Like you said, you can't rush it. You have to sit down and have patience. I understand more now aswel about your point of getting something simple yet functional vs something elaborete that needs constant tinkering. I had something that was usable, a singe side edge but i wanted more so more hits followed, making it more complicated to a point it went far above my paygrade and i got myself stuck with something i didn't know how to fix, took a long time and above all else: didn't really have a function. Lesson learned. function above aesthetic.
Golly, its been a hot minute since you did a knap ping video! Thank you very much, ive been trying to get better but i cant ever find information like yours! Youve inspired me to start my own primitive channel! Thank you for every bit of information youve given the flint knapping community!
Thank you Ryan for taking us the whole way through the process of pure primitive knapping. Feel inspired to take another try. Didn’t have much success so far, but have collected some material and tools. Keep on with promoting the primitive ways.
Here is a recommendation you may wish to share with Knappers regardless of “tool types.” I find i do better when I follow my own advice as I am reminded sharing experience with others. The advice is to talk out loud and explain “why” and “what” you intend to do. I think one of the very best videos you every made Ryan was the video you made titled HOW TO THIN A POINT. ……… WHY? Because you explained “What” you were going to do and “Why.” Patience is a virtue. Even experienced knappers cut corners, and do things in a hurry and disappoint themselves. Practice, is a huge part of getting better. Well experienced Knappers are good because of Practice and Patience. Slowing down and using considered actions is a big part of successful Flint Knapping.
Really excellent videos. I have been wanting to start to learn flint knapping for years, and these videos have really motivated me. I ordered one of the copper tool kits and I'm awaiting delivery.
@Ryan Gill . I'm a new subscriber. I've been making steel weapons for about four and a half years. I've gone from that to bows and arrows (not compound) and even started making shepherds slings again. Anyway, I'm in southwest va and I found a huge bluish-green stone that's concoidal and sharp as all get out. Its also as damn tough as a metal mattock head. Anyway, thank you so much. I'm off and running.
Coming from a guy who only uses abo tools this is GREATLY appreciated Ryan! Thank you! Super strange you posted about the knapping bag! I just started making one out of buck skin last night.
I like how he really wants to share his knowledge so everyone has a good base knowledge and the confidence to grab a hammer stone,abradder some antler bulletin a pressure flaker some flint , chert,porcelain,tile glass or whatever is handy start napping some stones.thank yoj for your time and knowledge .
I really like the in-depth videos I understand some don't because it a long video but with the long video you see alot of nuances of working the stone and the thought process. I learn much more so keep up the good work! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
I'm retired and looking to get into flintknapping and would love to start out with the abo tools. Is this something I shouldn't even be looking at, or will it be fine but just take more practice and patience? Thank you for doing these videos and keeping this art going.
If I recall correctly, he recommends starting out with copper tools as it can be quite difficult to start out with abo tools. Don't take my word for it as I'm not even a flintknapper and I'm not sure if he was the one who said it.
@@survivinggamer2598 Ya I remember him saying that, I just wouldn't be able to buy both sets so was wondering if it would be a REAL bad idea if I started with abo. Thanks for the reply though.
@@harleygaddis832 No problem. In my opinion, if people from the past were able to do something, then nearly anyone should be able to do the same as long as they keep learning to get better at it. It probably won't be a deal breaker, just a steeper learning curve with using more primitive tools. The best of luck to you!
@Harley Gaddis I’d suggest you make your own tools for sure. Preferably with modern materials. Knapping is “easier” with metal, but it is still the same process as knapping with abo tools. The only difference is the amount of effort and elbow grease required when limited to abo tools. And what you can get away with is limited as well. I bought a kit from hunt primitive when I started and the tools all worked fine, but after a month or two they were worn down too small to use and my indirect stick had blown apart at the tip. So I’ve slowly replaced all my wood handle pressure flakers with the plastic handles. I bought one that has set screws and you tighten your piece of copper into it But then I bought 3’ pieces of UHMW plastic to make my own. In 1” and 1.25” and a 3/4” but that one the jury is still out on. It is a little thin but I have thin wire in it and it works ok as a fine indirect stick With those plastic handles, and 15’ - 25’ rolls of bare copper from Lowe’s - in 8,6,4 gauge. You will have pressure flaker/ indirect stick material for the life of your hobby. Find a drill bit slightly smaller than the wire and drill a few inches into the center of the UHMW plastic, hammer the piece into it, don’t glue it so that you can easily switch it out when the piece wears out. Or you can put on set screws etc which would be real helpful but unnecessary. My most used bopper is a 1.5” diameter solid piece of aluminum - 4” long. It was maybe $10 and will likely last me a decade. I have many odd shaped hammer stones that I use when I feel like it, as well as antler tines I’ve collected. As a human I will use the best tools available to me at the time of my existence to do whatever it is I want to do. People who only knap abo tools are ok by me, but are limiting themselves for no reason. Even in an apocalyptic scenario there would be so much metal around to make weapons from, and to use as tools for flint knapping that we’d never be stuck to just abo tools. Not for a few thousand years anyway. And by then humans would naturally be making the switch as metal became rarer. Leave the all abo tools for a specific point or blade, occasionally, to see how our ancestors did it.
Ryan perhaps you can offer some insight on an issue that confounds me. To get a long flake employing Pressure Flaking ignoring use of a Notch Pad and running flakes on the ridge line of previous flakes removed, etc., etc., I first abrade. I place the tip of the Pressure Flaker on the stout abraded edge, load up, then press in, literally “stabbing” the flake off the work piece. With Indirect Percussion, I am failing to get consistent flake removal. I can Pressure Flake successfully EVERY time, but Indirect is a 50/50 proposition. If I do not abrade rather heavily, the Indirect tool slips off off the work piece. Also, I find I need to place the parabolic tip on the beveled abraded edge and that helps but despite great care to only catch a tiny bit of the abraded edge,strokes often achieve nothing. Also, the thinner the work piece gets, the abrading makes the edge stronger required a hard strike introducing bending forces which frequently leads to snapping the work piece. The shock introduced by the baton is hard to avoid on rock like Jasper, and I am afraid to try on Agatized Coral that is tough too. I am indeed lost and frustrated. How Can Pressure Flaking work so well, yet Indirect cause me so much grief? I “think” I get the angle right between the Indirect tool and the work piece correct but I “think” I must be doing something fundamentally wrong both needing to a abrade so much and also suffering so much breakage. Did you go through this on your own learning curve such that you can recognize what I am doing wrong?
Great video! I only use antler and hammerstones because I want to get in the head of ancient knappers. That being said, I still use modern power tools to prepare my antlers and billets so who am I to say that using modern tools is taking "shortcuts" that maybe some purists would say 🤣
Comanche in northeastern Colorado called these "Owl points". Especially in the 1700s they made many per day. Turn the point down and look at it. It will appear to be a owl resting in a tree. "Owl point".
There's well documented history you can find in the Fort Morgan museum of General Morgan enlisting help from the Comanche Indians to track game to feed the army in this desolate country of northeastern Colorado. The hunters used stone Owl points as they called them because they were made to release from the shaft after entry into a deer to bleed out the animal quickly as the animal ran off after being shot. They reused the arrow shafts over and over and would replace the "Owl points" many times during a hunt. Most plains Indians made arrowheads that were tied on a shaft via knocks permanently. But not the Owl points.
Make two buttons Out of antler and Show them to the bottom of the big bag Then make a small leather bag to put Your Flint. napping tools in inside of it then button the small bag to the Bottom of the big bad and use it as a pouch to hold your. Flint napping tool's and that way you are no longer drop them and when you are not using it put the small bags into the big bag
I'm in New Mexico and would like to learn flint knapping. I can go to the Jemez and find obsidian in large quantities if the roads are clear of snow, but I'm curious if you have any tips for finding materials outside of that? I don't think there's any proper flint here, but there is supposedly a ton of chert, and you can find agate and other things. My grandfather once found a pure quartz arrow head that I suspect was ceremonial here too.
Allrite!! Thank you for uploading ill watch it tonite befor igo to bed and its been long daywork,and diggin a hole my freezer is full as you know why,and i realy like the bag i had been checking on indyana jones gear and he has a gas mask bag.i like the idol in the temple he takes ..it was on a speacial pedistal.you should get one and set your work before you..park it,our work lesson on it out befor you .set it down and moove it up every day for 5 minit of snaps,and set it back,and upload it.pow! down.why...because shortprogressive dayly vidios are catchy and popular..bad chad uploads every day.its shoot and upload no edit.pow! And we will watch every nite,and heres thecthing not want to miss a nite. Watching Till its done.thats my wish,my comment i dont want to miss bad chads dayly progress .check that out Indiana Jones ha,ha..your a profesor of liveing archeology!!! Youd look so cool in his hat,and his whole get up frankly!profesor Gill..that pistol pop a hog with it, dr Jones. I dont know how im going to live without my dog i said i lost.i hope to hunt with her in heaven .funny thing i watched an old moovie. fish hawk...last nite .he lost a dog !!!!hunting a bear.great to see you professor Gill..filmanything and upload ,washing the car,literally anything. In utueland our lifes bore us and we improove from our mentors lifes.and they are our favorite channels we choose.survivir lilly got a new knife,courpoals corner,a tree fort,brian were makeing a point,and bad chad is forming a truck cab. Nitely we check!!little by little i watch these progress .but to me none!!...Ar as riviting as a arrow points progress. Where have you been!!??!!??Just workit some,put it down.small changes. Upload your short vids .. Ihope you have a great thanksgiveing..film takeing your turkey,and stay primitive.what a class,in glass..can you nap glass? Thank you ..happy thanksgiving. Ill edit this down tomarow.👍🖑thanks
I would avoid knapping indoors due to the microscopic silica dust. Silicosis of the lungs is a medical risk of flint knapping, especially without the wind to carry it away. Many if not most of the old gun flint knappers died young from the disease.
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This is definitely one of the best educational RUclips channels ever, regarding primitive tools and hunting.
One of the most underrated primitive skills by one of the most underrated channels. I cant wait to watch this fully
I must say that your videos are awesome and thank you for your teachings. Excellent Work!
Thanks very much
One of the best abo flint knapping tutorials on RUclips this man deservers to be paid more he's a flint knapping legend and goes supper into detail about every step.
.... the ONLY relevant channel for primitive stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks and greetz from the Netherlands!!!
Your video's are the modern equivelent of the grown-ups of the tribe/village/community sitting you down to teach you with patience.
i very recently started to take stone knapping from just watching videos, gaining theoretical knowledge to finally try knapping myself.
Even after hours and hours of watching videos it is still magic to me, but i have slightly more knowledge than i had before my first hit.
Like you said, you can't rush it. You have to sit down and have patience. I understand more now aswel about your point of getting something simple yet functional vs something elaborete that needs constant tinkering. I had something that was usable, a singe side edge but i wanted more so more hits followed, making it more complicated to a point it went far above my paygrade and i got myself stuck with something i didn't know how to fix, took a long time and above all else: didn't really have a function. Lesson learned. function above aesthetic.
Reminds me of having a magician explain and example, slowly, a trick and still have my mind blown.
Much love and appreciation.
Golly, its been a hot minute since you did a knap ping video! Thank you very much, ive been trying to get better but i cant ever find information like yours! Youve inspired me to start my own primitive channel! Thank you for every bit of information youve given the flint knapping community!
you're presenting it so well and it's so fascinating to watch, 1:41:25 is a bargain for the value and entertainment we get ;)
Thank you Ryan for taking us the whole way through the process of pure primitive knapping. Feel inspired to take another try. Didn’t have much success so far, but have collected some material and tools.
Keep on with promoting the primitive ways.
greetings sir and everyone.mmmm very exiting.😃we lost out alot,but thanks to to you sir reviving it again.this is very important
Here is a recommendation you may wish to share with Knappers regardless of “tool types.” I find i do better when I follow my own advice as I am reminded sharing experience with others.
The advice is to talk out loud and explain “why” and “what” you intend to do.
I think one of the very best videos you every made Ryan was the video you made titled HOW TO THIN A POINT. ……… WHY?
Because you explained “What” you were going to do and “Why.”
Patience is a virtue. Even experienced knappers cut corners, and do things in a hurry and disappoint themselves. Practice, is a huge part of getting better. Well experienced Knappers are good because of Practice and Patience. Slowing down and using considered actions is a big part of successful Flint Knapping.
thank you for sharing your knowledge. good resource for people that lack and need tools.
Really excellent videos. I have been wanting to start to learn flint knapping for years, and these videos have really motivated me. I ordered one of the copper tool kits and I'm awaiting delivery.
I've done some primitive napping before. I slept under a tree
Lol
Happens to me alot at work during my lunch breaks
😂😃
I needed this one badly lol definitely think it helped me figure out what's stumping me so far
I´ve been waiting for another video. Now i have a movie for evening. Thanks.
@Ryan Gill . I'm a new subscriber. I've been making steel weapons for about four and a half years. I've gone from that to bows and arrows (not compound) and even started making shepherds slings again. Anyway, I'm in southwest va and I found a huge bluish-green stone that's concoidal and sharp as all get out. Its also as damn tough as a metal mattock head. Anyway, thank you so much. I'm off and running.
More than just decent. Good work 53:16 will continue to watch the rest now.
Coming from a guy who only uses abo tools this is GREATLY appreciated Ryan! Thank you!
Super strange you posted about the knapping bag! I just started making one out of buck skin last night.
How many tools can you make in a day if you work 12 hours?
This was very helpful. I'm a beginner and this solves some of my common problems
How many stone tools can you make in a day if you worked 14 hours?
I like how he really wants to share his knowledge so everyone has a good base knowledge and the confidence to grab a hammer stone,abradder some antler bulletin a pressure flaker some flint , chert,porcelain,tile glass or whatever is handy start napping some stones.thank yoj for your time and knowledge .
Love your videos Ryan, great info, and you’ve inspired me to make my own primitive tools/weapons
That background of stacked nodules had me drooling.
I really like the in-depth videos I understand some don't because it a long video but with the long video you see alot of nuances of working the stone and the thought process. I learn much more so keep up the good work! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
Good to see you back at it Ryan
I wish I could like a video multiple times
This was awesome! Thanks Ryan.
Superb work, look forward to 2023
Awesome! Thank you for sharing your hard earned knowledge,
Thanks for these honest instructive videos
extremely informative, great video!
Thank you for this awesome video.
Let’s goooo new vid!
Where have you been man? Hope all is well and you're just working on some projects!
I’m ready for you to drop some more hunting videos!!
What is your thoughts on fire hardening your bow?
I'd love to know your view on using hardwoods for knapping in place of antler. Deer antler can be hard to come by for some.
I'm retired and looking to get into flintknapping and would love to start out with the abo tools. Is this something I shouldn't even be looking at, or will it be fine but just take more practice and patience? Thank you for doing these videos and keeping this art going.
If I recall correctly, he recommends starting out with copper tools as it can be quite difficult to start out with abo tools. Don't take my word for it as I'm not even a flintknapper and I'm not sure if he was the one who said it.
@@survivinggamer2598 Ya I remember him saying that, I just wouldn't be able to buy both sets so was wondering if it would be a REAL bad idea if I started with abo. Thanks for the reply though.
@@harleygaddis832 No problem. In my opinion, if people from the past were able to do something, then nearly anyone should be able to do the same as long as they keep learning to get better at it. It probably won't be a deal breaker, just a steeper learning curve with using more primitive tools. The best of luck to you!
@Harley Gaddis
I’d suggest you make your own tools for sure. Preferably with modern materials.
Knapping is “easier” with metal, but it is still the same process as knapping with abo tools. The only difference is the amount of effort and elbow grease required when limited to abo tools. And what you can get away with is limited as well.
I bought a kit from hunt primitive when I started and the tools all worked fine, but after a month or two they were worn down too small to use and my indirect stick had blown apart at the tip.
So I’ve slowly replaced all my wood handle pressure flakers with the plastic handles. I bought one that has set screws and you tighten your piece of copper into it
But then I bought 3’ pieces of UHMW plastic to make my own. In 1” and 1.25” and a 3/4” but that one the jury is still out on. It is a little thin but I have thin wire in it and it works ok as a fine indirect stick
With those plastic handles, and 15’ - 25’ rolls of bare copper from Lowe’s - in 8,6,4 gauge. You will have pressure flaker/ indirect stick material for the life of your hobby.
Find a drill bit slightly smaller than the wire and drill a few inches into the center of the UHMW plastic, hammer the piece into it, don’t glue it so that you can easily switch it out when the piece wears out. Or you can put on set screws etc which would be real helpful but unnecessary.
My most used bopper is a 1.5” diameter solid piece of aluminum - 4” long. It was maybe $10 and will likely last me a decade.
I have many odd shaped hammer stones that I use when I feel like it, as well as antler tines I’ve collected.
As a human I will use the best tools available to me at the time of my existence to do whatever it is I want to do.
People who only knap abo tools are ok by me, but are limiting themselves for no reason. Even in an apocalyptic scenario there would be so much metal around to make weapons from, and to use as tools for flint knapping that we’d never be stuck to just abo tools. Not for a few thousand years anyway. And by then humans would naturally be making the switch as metal became rarer.
Leave the all abo tools for a specific point or blade, occasionally, to see how our ancestors did it.
Use both the each has it merits
Ryan perhaps you can offer some insight on an issue that confounds me.
To get a long flake employing Pressure Flaking ignoring use of a Notch Pad and running flakes on the ridge line of previous flakes removed, etc., etc., I first abrade. I place the tip of the Pressure Flaker on the stout abraded edge, load up, then press in, literally “stabbing” the flake off the work piece.
With Indirect Percussion, I am failing to get consistent flake removal. I can Pressure Flake successfully EVERY time, but Indirect is a 50/50 proposition.
If I do not abrade rather heavily, the Indirect tool slips off off the work piece. Also, I find I need to place the parabolic tip on the beveled abraded edge and that helps but despite great care to only catch a tiny bit of the abraded edge,strokes often achieve nothing. Also, the thinner the work piece gets, the abrading makes the edge stronger required a hard strike introducing bending forces which frequently leads to snapping the work piece.
The shock introduced by the baton is hard to avoid on rock like Jasper, and I am afraid to try on Agatized Coral that is tough too.
I am indeed lost and frustrated. How Can Pressure Flaking work so well, yet Indirect cause me so much grief?
I “think” I get the angle right between the Indirect tool and the work piece correct but I “think” I must be doing something fundamentally wrong both needing to a abrade so much and also suffering so much breakage.
Did you go through this on your own learning curve such that you can recognize what I am doing wrong?
Thanks again
Got a lot out this vid
Great video! I only use antler and hammerstones because I want to get in the head of ancient knappers. That being said, I still use modern power tools to prepare my antlers and billets so who am I to say that using modern tools is taking "shortcuts" that maybe some purists would say 🤣
Comanche in northeastern Colorado called these "Owl points".
Especially in the 1700s they made many per day.
Turn the point down and look at it.
It will appear to be a owl resting in a tree. "Owl point".
There's well documented history you can find in the Fort Morgan museum of General Morgan enlisting help from the Comanche Indians to track game to feed the army in this desolate country of northeastern Colorado. The hunters used stone Owl points as they called them because they were made to release from the shaft after entry into a deer to bleed out the animal quickly as the animal ran off after being shot. They reused the arrow shafts over and over and would replace the "Owl points" many times during a hunt. Most plains Indians made arrowheads that were tied on a shaft via knocks permanently. But not the Owl points.
Make two buttons
Out of antler and
Show them to the bottom of the big
bag Then make a
small leather bag
to put Your Flint. napping tools in
inside of it then button the small bag to the
Bottom of the big bad and use it as a pouch to hold your. Flint napping tool's
and that way you are no longer drop them and when you are not using it put
the small bags into
the big bag
Is there a video on types of stones that are good for shaping? I live in New Mexico.
I'm in New Mexico and would like to learn flint knapping. I can go to the Jemez and find obsidian in large quantities if the roads are clear of snow, but I'm curious if you have any tips for finding materials outside of that? I don't think there's any proper flint here, but there is supposedly a ton of chert, and you can find agate and other things. My grandfather once found a pure quartz arrow head that I suspect was ceremonial here too.
Could you put those in a rock tumbler to smooth em out?
that is some nice stone
How many tools could you make in one day, if you worked 12-14 hours? How many could you make in one hour, working as fast as you could safely?
How do I know if my material needs to be heat treated? If so, how much, what temp, how long???
I want to knap the stone for school sample
Can you do a terms video? Some of the terms are slightly confusing to me.
I miss watching the og RUclips Knapper “PaleomanJim’s” long-form knapping vids…
Stone Age Masamune
Can I come hangout with you for a couple days ? And you can do a series of trying to teach people
What are you doing step fracture?
where can i get that copper tool
Allrite!! Thank you for uploading ill watch it tonite befor igo to bed and its been long daywork,and diggin a hole my freezer is full as you know why,and i realy like the bag i had been checking on indyana jones gear and he has a gas mask bag.i like the idol in the temple he takes ..it was on a speacial pedistal.you should get one and set your work before you..park it,our work lesson on it out befor you .set it down and moove it up every day for 5 minit of snaps,and set it back,and upload it.pow! down.why...because shortprogressive dayly vidios are catchy and popular..bad chad uploads every day.its shoot and upload no edit.pow! And we will watch every nite,and heres thecthing not want to miss a nite. Watching Till its done.thats my wish,my comment i dont want to miss bad chads dayly progress .check that out Indiana Jones ha,ha..your a profesor of liveing archeology!!! Youd look so cool in his hat,and his whole get up frankly!profesor Gill..that pistol pop a hog with it, dr Jones. I dont know how im going to live without my dog i said i lost.i hope to hunt with her in heaven .funny thing i watched an old moovie. fish hawk...last nite .he lost a dog !!!!hunting a bear.great to see you professor Gill..filmanything and upload ,washing the car,literally anything. In utueland our lifes bore us and we improove from our mentors lifes.and they are our favorite channels we choose.survivir lilly got a new knife,courpoals corner,a tree fort,brian were makeing a point,and bad chad is forming a truck cab. Nitely we check!!little by little i watch these progress .but to me none!!...Ar as riviting as a arrow points progress. Where have you been!!??!!??Just workit some,put it down.small changes. Upload your short vids
.. Ihope you have a great thanksgiveing..film takeing your turkey,and stay primitive.what a class,in glass..can you nap glass? Thank you ..happy thanksgiving. Ill edit this down tomarow.👍🖑thanks
Can quartz be shaped into tools/weapons?
Yup
I would avoid knapping indoors due to the microscopic silica dust. Silicosis of the lungs is a medical risk of flint knapping, especially without the wind to carry it away. Many if not most of the old gun flint knappers died young from the disease.
Stone Spear
why is this referred to as primitive, my thought, didnt all people use none metalic tools at sompoint. advanced skills for its time....
Abo is what the Aussies call first nation folks in their country. Abo IS Aussie slang.
I looked on your website. I don’t see the leather bag like you are using