Finding flint?

**typ3** · 07-05-2009, 06:49 PM

Howdy,

I've been searching for flint for knapping for some time, but I haven't been able to find any. Are there areas where flint just doesn't occur? Are there alternatives for stone tool making? Or am I just not looking hard enough?

For reference, I'm in Revelstoke, BC alongside the Columbia River a couple hours west of the Rockies.

Thanks,

Brandon

**crashdive123** · 07-05-2009, 07:26 PM

There are probably lots of choices of rocks for knapping in your area. The best way that I've found is to pick of a rock and give it a try. Maybe somebody from that area can give you more specific information. While you're waiting, head on over to the Introduction section and tell us a bit about yourself. Thanks. http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...splay.php?f=14

**typ3** · 07-06-2009, 08:28 PM

I've tried knapping everything I've come across, but they never flake, they just crumble.

Any west coasters got any ideas?

**crashdive123** · 07-06-2009, 10:36 PM

Here's a bit of information I found on a knapping site that may be helpful.

The best advise I can give to the "flint hunter" is this: familiarize yourself with geological maps of the areas you plan to hunt. Look everywhere, in plowed fields, look in the gravel of creek and river bottoms, construction sites, under bridges and eroded roadside ditches. Be sure to get permission from land owners first! I assure you it is not worth the risk. The rewards are greater when material is gathered with a blessing from the land owner. Beware of "freeze fractured" flint. This is flint that has been exposed to freezing and literally frozen. The problem starts with this. Flint and all other stones contain moisture deep within the stone, when the temperature falls well below 32 f. the result of the expanding freezing moisture is fractures the flint. This is a bad thing for knappers. This material is useless unless the pieces are large enough to knap. You want pure crack free stone. It can be a serious challenge to find high grade stone. If you plan on getting material from construction sites, get them before it freezes. These stones have never been exposed to freezing temperatures and when they do, they will likely suffer. Searching creek and river bottoms can be a lot of fun. Take a big copper billet and start testing the gravel to see what is inside. You never know what you might find!

**typ3** · 07-07-2009, 01:52 PM

Thanks crash, I'll keep up with the search, but thus far every rock I've tested has fractured in a very crumbly way. Many of them seem, to my untrained eyes, to be granite and they all have a very large-grained (for lack of the proper terminology) texture inside. The edges they produce are quite jagged.

So trial-and-error is my best option? Rats.

**crashdive123** · 07-07-2009, 04:27 PM

My guess is that the fractures you are experiencing are because the rocks were exposed to freezing. You may have to dig a bit deeper to find some that are not cracked. Freezing doesn't seem to be a problem where I am.

**typ3** · 07-07-2009, 08:55 PM

It's not so much the fractures as the texture as well as the mica and quartz in it--I don't think granite is useful for much in the way of knapping.

**toughsord** · 07-12-2009, 11:29 PM

try using obsidian. its a volcanic rack that is found near most ranges. i have it by my creek bed in 5 pound chunks. since you are closer to the source of my obsidian im sure you can find it. it is a black very smooth and shiny rock

**erunkiswldrnssurvival** · 07-13-2009, 07:52 AM

southeast, geodes, chert.
north east, flint.
central USA,obsidian,flint
north west,obsidian
south west, obsidian,silicates
watch my video (this flint i found in new england)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI5OH-4gpc8