Flintknapping:  The craft of making sharp tools, or art, or both, using flint rock or other similar material using percussion or pressure for flake removal.   Flintknapping has resurrected from an ancient method of tool making into a unique form of art today.

 

A little about the artist:

Stacy Reeves, a native Texan living in Spring, Texas, just north of Houston. 

As with anything, the more you practice, and the harder you try, the better you get.  That is certainly true with flintknapping.  After about a year of studying flintknapping and turning a ton of rocks into rubble, I started calling myself a flintknapper.  That was in 2002.  It’s been a real joy in the journey of learning and doing… and I’m still learning.  A therapeutic addiction is how I describe it.   

I’ve made a number of knives so far and something that I’ve learned is that many people don’t just want a display knife.  They want to hold it in their hand and it says something beside “I’m pretty”.  It should also say “I’m a knife”.  That means it can actually be used as a knife… if it needs to.  Rugged, durable, and sharp.  Many of my knives are made with that in mind but I also make those beautiful, yet fragile, knives that should only be displayed.  Each knife has unique characteristics.  I hope you feel as I do when holding a knife made of flint, that you are making a connection to a different time in human history when  survival of all humans depended on this primitive, yet remarkably advanced, technology.  

Contact me:  I love to talk to anyone with the same interest in flintknapping and to those who are just curious.  If you live in my area and are also a knapper, or want to learn, please contact me and let's get together!  I enjoy sharing what I know and also eager to learn from those more experienced.


Tools:  The knapping tools that I make and sell began as a result of my needing them and then later supplying some to my friends.  Everything I sell is really a result of my love of making them... and a small matter of over-production.

Knife construction:  Most of the flint I use comes from central Texas.  This region produces some of the finest flint in North America and is prized by most knappers.  Flints such as Georgetown and Pedernales are named from the locales they are derived from and I extensively use them.  Quite often I apply a patina (stain wax) to the lighter tan flints.  The antler handles are buff polished whitetail or mule deer.  Sometimes I use antlers that are sun-bleached white, but I use none that have lost much of their density or turning to chalk.  The knife handles are hafted with an artificial sinew (waxed nylon) and animal protein glue (yellow carpenters glue). 

Knapping methods I use:  I use copper tipped tools for percussion and pressure flaking.  Most of my knife blades are from cut slabs, but not always.  I sometimes use the flake-over-grinding method (pre-shaped via grinding and then flaking over the surfaces).  Those blades are easily recognized since they are the ones with visibly consistent and parallel flake scars.  My favorite method is the aborigine way employed by ancient natives for thousands of years.  That being percussion on an un-cut and natural rock.  Perhaps it's the nostalgia, but it's definitely the challenge that each rock gives me.




Email:  knivesofflint@yahoo.com




ORDERING INFORMATION:

Purchases are made easy:  Shipping is immediately upon completion of payment.  I'll work with you as to the form of payment you want to use and how you want it shipped.  Sorry, no credit cards, but I do have a PayPal account.  Personal checks must clear the bank before shipment is made.  Postal Money orders are welcome too.  But only Postal Money Orders... as they contain watermarks and other markings for authenticating. 

Shipping and handling:  S&H for Ishi sticks are $6.50 and most large knives are $12 (maximum) via USPS Priority Mail or First Class.  Small knives may be less.  Contact me for an exact quote. 

S&H for orders to Canada will have to be determined individually.  

No orders outside of North America except to the US military or US diplomats with an APO, FPO, or DPO address. 

My guarantee:  I guarantee you'll be satisfied with your purchase or I'll give you a complete refund with no questions asked.  This includes any damage incurred during shipping (I pack 'em good). 
 
eBay:  Occasionally I sell on eBay under the name tx_atakapa .  I strive to maintain my 100% rating with the same guarantee.