Knappers Help please

[Lefty]

For those of you that bust rock, I need a little advise.  I am not a knapper or have any experience with it, but I have a seven year old daughter that is wanting to learn to make an arrowhead.  Can you recommend a book or video that is easy enough for the two of us to understand and get started?

[KILLER B]

There are several videos on you tube that should get you going in the right direction.  It takes alot of patience and you can cut yourself pretty good and not even notice it.  I layed my finger wide open last night actually only to realize i was bleeding all over my hand pad.  You might try and get her interested in morel hunting or looking for real ones in plowed ground much safer for little soft hands. jm2 cents If she realy does want to do it i hope she becomes one of the best.  Good luck....

[outbackbob48]

Lefty, Mark Brackin has a couple of really good videos, at flintknapping tools .com. I wish someone would have me got me started at a young age, It takes a lot of practice to be come profecient at knapping. This a hobby of tonnage so get ya a ton of knappable rock an go to it. You can learn alot from knappins. Lots of Knowledgeable people an supply an fun at these events. Good Luck an enjoy the journey. Later Bob

[pintail_drake2004]

i have been knapping for a few months and i have noticed a great difference. My bro and I are lucky enough to have a well known knapper down the road from us (been hunting with him for years, should have started a long time ago).I started out using a glove on my left hand, but soon realized that i couldnt feel the ridges that well. I find my rock is red and sticky before i realize i cut myself. kids hands are alot more sensitive than adults (heck im still a pup at 22 myself...lol) but ya might consider starting on glass since its easy to find and cheap if not free. Check out youtube.com they have some great videos. Some of the best come from "scalp creek" he uploads vids on a regular basis. But remember, there is only so much you can learn by watching. Kids are "hands on" learners, let them break a few rocks, get cut-hopefully not too bad, and eventually make a decent point. They will learn more in one hands on session than a weeks worth of videos!