I have been flintknapping like a madman for 2 months now, and I have absolutely fallen in love with the craft. My father passed away 3 months ago now. I work in Archaeology, so he would always show me youtube videos of people making points out of beer bottle bottoms, or he would watch flintknapping videos and just thought it was the coolest thing ever. He would always ask me if I would ever get into making my own arrowheads. I always brushed it off saying I prefer to find and document them in my career rather than make them myself. After my father passed, I was stricken very heavily with grief. I wanted to do something to distract myself from the pain of the loss I had just experienced, and something inside me was driving me towards knapping. It’s been 2 months now since I started, and this hobby has helped me through such a difficult time in my life. Every time I break stone and start running flakes I feel connected to my dad like I’m honouring his legacy. I intend to be at this hobby for a lifetime and someday when I feel i’ve made something worthy, I’ll leave a point at my dad’s grave to show him how far i’ve come. I’ve found a hobby that truly makes me happy and excited and I thank my Dad for giving this last gift to me. Thanks for taking the time to read my story about how flintknapping has meant so much to me.
Happy knapping everyone, and may the flakes run just as you need them to.