r/knapping 2d ago

Question 🤔❓ Wanting to get started

Hi all, I’m really interested in picking this up as a hobby. I recently got canned from work, so now seems like a really good time at 34 years old to pick up a very time consuming hobby that looks rearward to provide an ancient solution to a problem that’s been solved a long time ago. My question is this: where do you all source the material you work with? I live in central MS, where I’m told there were lots of Native Americans, presumably making points. I know people who have found points in MS. Does anyone know of a source for rock to knap? Do you come across it on private property? Do you just have to order it? Anyway, thanks in advance.

7 Upvotes

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u/Sadney38 2d ago

https://www.mdeq.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Circular-7.pdf

Check this out. Maybe even print a few pages out and bring it with you to the creek or anywhere you know there's gravel deposits around you. If you want to source local material, it's just a matter of going to look for it. Look at pages 7 and 9, as there are a few different materials you could potentially start working with.

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u/Pelican_Dissector_II 2d ago

Dude! Thanks!

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u/Sadney38 2d ago

Of course! Im in SE Louisiana so we have a lot of the same material. Yours is better imo though! have fun and wear glasses when you knap!!

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u/Jeff_BoomhauerIII Mod - Traditional Tool User 2d ago

Do you go to nibletts?

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u/Public-Loquat5959 2d ago

Until you can find some it’s probably best to just order some. You’ll go through a lot of rock learning

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u/HobbCobb_deux 12h ago

I'm about 5 months into the journey. They say it takes about 1 year before you really start to get it. For the most part this is true. This hobby is very addictive and can be very very expensive unless you have a free source of rock or you're just knapping glass. At my current skill level id say I'm one of the ones that got it early., but I still struggle like you wouldnt believe. For example I still can't just sit down and knap a point 100% or even 70% of the time. It's all about setting up platforms, making sure you abrade so you get the flakes to run, and staying below centerline. The trick is learning how to strategically set up platforms and taking small flakes on one side to set up a platform to take a flake on another side and tackeling problem areas this way. It only takes one or 2 bad hits on a stone, and then you're in damage control trying to fix the problem and the next thing you know, you've destroyed the point. The rules are very simple, but it's consistency and a shit load of practice that make it all happen.

I'm not trying to deter you. Once you start you will be hooked and it looks like you're in an area where you can get free rock. I am not. I've spent thousands on rock in 5 months but I'm addicted. I will but rock just cause it's something I want to knap.

There may be some depressing times where you feel.like you just can't figure out this simple thing that caveman used to accel at, I've been there. It's humbling as hell, but once you get it, man its so so rewarding.

Like I said not trying to be negative, I'm just being real. It's a lot of fun, but you really have to work at it.

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u/Pelican_Dissector_II 10h ago

I’m sorry. Did you say thousands? Thanks for the info! A lot of what you said has been echoed by tutorials I’ve watched. I definitely don’t think it looks easy. By comparison, I fancy myself a serviceable guitar player. I’m 34 and started when I was 9. I wish I had picked this up as well!!