This week we’re talking flintknapping– learning about making and using stone arrowheads and knives. We discuss the knapping from a high level perspective, with a little bit of how-to and the principles involved, a bit of considerations for using your stone blades and tips, things to keep in mind when getting started, etc.
I consider flintknapping to be a foundational skill– almost all other technologies are based around having a blade in order to cut with, and I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with someone who is good at it.
I love these really old, prehistory type skills that are the foundational blocks of technology that we all share somewhere in our past. Some of the things we discuss were specific to an area or people– creating blades from rocks is definitely not one of those!
A big thanks to Rich Williams from episode #21 for suggesting I chat with Mike!
Directory to knap-ins found on flintknappers.com — honestly, when searching I found reference to a number of other knap-ins not listed here, but no real good directory where you could go and look for one in your area, you’ll have to do the legwork to find them yourself! Let me know of the ones you know about and I’ll put together a list for other folks.
In this episode we delve into throwing sticks (also called boomerangs or rabbitsticks) and how to make them! Michael is an archaeologist by education so we also discuss some of the historical and archaeological examples from around the world.
Throwing sticks are perhaps one of our earliest hunting tools and it is always fascinating to learn how to create something like this that is so simple yet sophisticated at the same time!
From a functional standpoint, I love learning how to craft a weapon from something so elemental as a stick, from a scientific view I enjoy learning about the physics involved and how complex they really can be, and from an artistic viewpoint I appreciate their simple beauty. Hope you try making one!
Key takeaways for making your own throwing stick:
Use a dense/tough hardwood.
Violate the grain as little as possible.
Use a piece of wood roughly 2 feet long and 2 inches wide, with a 135 degree bend in it.
Make your throwing stick around 3/8 of an inch thick in the middle and tapering to the edges.
For optimum flight your throwing stick should be shaped so it is flatter on the bottom and more domed on top.
Tracker School — Wilderness survival and awareness school, Michael and I have both been and we mention it a couple times.
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History— I also specifically mentioned using their searchable online database to look things up, I highly recommend you check it out, the link (directly to the anthropology department) is here.
Books Mentioned:
Outdoor Survival Skills by Larry Dean Olsen — apparently getting hard to find and expensive?
I loved learning about this traditional folk art! Many of you know that I tend to personally lean towards the traditional rural/peasant crafts– what would have been common practice by people living their daily lives. I love to learn about making things in general, but that is what really calls to me.
Scrimshaw seems to find that void between art and craft in my mind, it is hard to say it was anything but art — used to decorate other items– but it was done by the average seaman with very limited tools using what they had on hand. It just seems more of a commoners’ art form than something like painting.
This week I talk with Rich Williams about scrimshaw– everything from choosing material, prepping it, tools and techniques used to engrave it, filling it in, maintenance of pieces, and legal issues you need to be aware of in regards to sourcing material. We also talk about the origins of scrimshaw and its history as a craft up through the present day.
Overall, this was a fascinating conversation and I really enjoyed connecting with Rich. He has a love of history and working with his hands that I could relate to and learn from, hope you all do as well!
Resources Mentioned
scrimshawandmore.com — Rich’s website, check out the gallery pages to see some of his and his students’ work!
Rocket stoves have held a fascination for me for awhile– it’s amazing how intentionally controlling the way in which a fire burns can dramatically impact its performance. I’ve wanted to build one for awhile and figured now was a good time to chat with someone who has made a few and get their opinion on what works well.
Why build a rocket stove?
Pure awesomeness mainly.
Tangential benefits include the fact that it is a highly efficient cook stove that burns on small, easily gathered branches, and produces greater heat that is more conveniently concentrated than a normal campfire. Plus you can build one at home with just a base understanding of what needs to happen and a few hand tools and basic materials!
I have a feeling self sufficiency is going to become a little more present on folks’ minds over the next little while what with Covid and all, and thought we’d touch base with an episode about building a backyard cooking implement. Maybe we’ll do an episode about cob ovens in the upcoming future too, that’d be a fun project as well! Now I just need a backyard…. 🙂
At any rate, I’m glad I managed to chat with Tom, he has a little bit of a different focus than we do with this podcast, but I definitely connected with him and his love of tinkering, innovation, and building. He does some great projects on his YouTube channel! More of a modern DIY angle on things, but with a focus on sustainability and being “green”, go take a look!
Key Principles in Rocket Stove Design
Here are a few thoughts I pulled from the conversation with Tom:
Elevate the fuel– keep your fire off the ground so the air can get under it.
Airflow is key– maintain a continuous interior diameter all the way through and remove anything that would obstruct airflow
Make the riser “tall enough”– you need a tall chamber in order to ensure more efficient combustion
Resources Mentioned
GreenShortz DIY Youtube channel — If you want to take a look at a few specific videos that show rocket stove examples check out these three: one made out of firebricks, one of concrete, and this cob stove.
GreenShortz Youtube Channel — Actually under Tom Mills as the channel name, I really like the goals he has with thechannel, check it out.
I think of them as being a product of the Great Depression, others think of them as being emblematic of gypsies. . . Regardless, they look like they would be fun to make!
Knowing how to make these willow chairs is one of those almost forgotten folk crafts of our past…. And today we’re talking about how to make one with Justin Roberts of Walk the Willow!
I’ve been curious about these chairs for years, but have never known anyone who could show me how to make one. Recently I was reminded of the craft when I passed a clump of larger willows (somewhat rare in my area), fortunately Justin was willing to come on the podcast and chat about the craft!
16d Twisted Decking Nail (this is an example, please source them at your local hardware store if you can. At 16d it is the size Justin said he used for the frame but he also used various smaller sizes as well)
Panel Nails (As mentioned above, please try to source from your local hardware store. I put this here so you could see an example of what you were looking for.)
Example Pictures
Pictures were provided courtesy of Justin Roberts from Walk the Willow
Frame with the arm benders being put into placeFinished frame with arm and head bendersCompleted chair! Looks comfortable eh?
