I need some help from You Rock Hounds....Flint??

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I picked this up on my way out from hunting this morning, smashed a couple together to get a look inside. Then I struck them with an old knife blade and got good sparks. That's Flint.....Right?

Here's some pics of the inside of the rocks I picked up. Nice softball sized stones.

 

 

[ishiwannabe]

Sparks are a good indication, although a lot of rocks spark. Look for conchoidal(circular) fractures. Depending on that and freeze fracture, you may have rock worth knapping.

[artifaker1]

Looks pretty gnarly, doubt if you will be able to knapp that.

[firsted]

Hey, Chris, Ishi's got it right - flint (chert) will have conchoidal fracturing.  Sometimes you may not be able to tell what it is until you smack them together, like you did, because of the thin "crust" around the rock.  The rocks in the pics show quite a bit of oxidation on the rims & a pretty good amount of impurity variation which would make it much more a flint than chert.  Your best knapping will come from the piece with the most uniform color - least impurities.  From the looks of the pieces, I'd guess you found them in the southwestern or southern part of MO; lots of good sedimentary outcrops around the 4-corner area.
Good luck & you might consider some eye protection if you knap them.  Also, flint often contains some amount of water in it's structure so you might not want to line your campfire with them.  
See ya,

Eddie Paulsgrove

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Thanks guys, I had no idea there were different "Grades" of Flint. I'm no rock expert by any means and I guess I thought it's either flint or it's not cut and dried.

These came from Big River which is near St. Joe Mines area. Specifically, between Terre Du Lac, Bonne Terre, and Desloge Missouri if you want to google map the area. If you draw a triangle between those three towns you will find big river and I live on one of those many horse shoe bends that it makes on it's way to the Meremac River.

[Bud B.]

Semo,

Do you knapp? I have learned that I have Rhyolite on my land (gobbs of it). I don't knapp but could send you a sample if you'll make me an arrowhead in exchange??? Especially if you're looking for something to work on...just let me know.

Bud

thats burlington chert, missouri dosent have a real flint wich is actually kinda rare,
burlington chirt is the best youll find in missouri .

[Bobby Urban]

Looks like Leverite - as in leave it right where you found it. J/K  I don't think that looks very knappable although you may want to take a hammer-stone to the edge of that big one on the left and see if you can drive off a big flake.  Probably will crumble pretty bad from what I can see in the pictures.  There are a lot of knappable rocks out there - flint develops in limestone so it can have a chalky crust but the good stuff will feel waxy and break like glass.  As a matter of fact if you are learning to knap and want access to some good practice rock check out pet stores.  They often have big chunks of slag glass people use for aquarium stones.  Makes super nice heads and it is usually cheap.
Bob Urban

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Originally posted by Bud B.:
Semo,

Do you knapp? I have learned that I have Rhyolite on my land (gobbs of it). I don't knapp but could send you a sample if you'll make me an arrowhead in exchange??? Especially if you're looking for something to work on...just let me know.

Bud

Ha,ha...that's a nice gesture, but I don't think you would want an arrowhead from me.    

I've never tried it before in my life.

Another member on here was asking me about some flint and I told him we had loads of it around here, but have never seriously looked for it before. I was hoping someone here could verify that I had found some, and I'm still not sure what I got?
I have thought about trying to get ahold of some Obsidian and messing around with that at some point? I understand it makes fine arrowheads.

The Indians were abundant around here back in their day. They settled here along Big River because of the abundance of everything within reach. I would guess mainly the Osage (Hedge) for bow making, the flint for knapping arrowheads, then of course the wild game that's plentiful here, and most importantly water from the river. All that spells quality of life to survivalists like Indians.
My uncle and grand father each had quite an extensive collection of arrowheads that they found right here behind my house way back when, everything from tomahawk heads, hammer heads, to big game points, spear points, down to bird points and little tiny needle like points.

 I have no idea what ever happened to their collections? I sure wish I had my hands on those right now. Anyhow, that's proof that the Indians lived right here on the very ground where my house sits.....many,many, moons ago.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Originally posted by arrow30:
thats burlington chert, missouri dosent have a real flint wich is actually kinda rare,
burlington chirt is the best youll find in missouri .

You all keep mentioning "Chert".....I do have a large Chert Node that I found and know where I can get more, Is that the flint your talking about??
This thing is big and oval shaped like a big aspirin except more the size of a football. Should I bust that dude open and look inside?

Also, one of you mentioned limestone. That stuff is everywhere around here. Every location that's been mentioned, or characteristics of the areas where good flint is found, I can think of places right here on my property that matches those descriptions.

[Bud B.]

Piedmont NC Indians here. I live at the edge of the Uwharrie Mountians.

chert is generaly white and glassy like when you bust it open , its everywhere in missouri , the stuff you had pics of looked like it was stained from iron. theres quite a bit of that in the area you described.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Originally posted by Bud B.:
Piedmont NC Indians here. I live at the edge of the Uwharrie Mountians.

We lived in NC for about 4 years because my dad had to relocate for a new job, we moved back to Missouri shortly after it didn't pan out.
We lived in Norwood, which is close to Albemarle....South of Charlotte. So I know about where your talking about your locale. Beautiful country around there, lots of deer but small. We were right on Lake Tillery and once belonged to the Tillery Hunting Club, that was fun! Dog chases galore, very exciting!

Arrow30- I think I know the exact stuff your talking about. I'll pic up some more samples tomorrow and post pics here to let you all scrutinize. Thanks for the help.

[Bill Skinner]

That rock is quartz.  It can be made into very crude points but it will take a pretty good knapper to make one.  Bill

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I busted it up some more after reading all the posts and it crumbled too much. Only a few small pieces actually broke off clean with a sharp edge. I'll keep looking for something better and report back.
Thanks for all the help guys, I'm not done with your expertise yet though. Check back often when I have some more for you to look at.

[2fletch]

That's good to know Bud B. I only have about 1500 pounds left of my rhyolite from your area. I'll probably soon be needing some more. Now where exzctly did you say it was?    

[Bud B.]

Whenever I can break away from work I'll bring some with the anvil and post vise.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Originally posted by Bud B.:
Whenever I can break away from work I'll bring some with the anvil and post vise.

?????  

[Bud B.]

Sorry semo. I was at work last night and did a quick reply. Sending you a PM.