# Sovereignty Module: Strike the Stone

## Complete Flint Knapping and Stone Tool Making: From Cobble to Cutting Edge

Flint knapping is the oldest technology, producing razor-sharp tools from stone. This campaign covers stone selection, percussion techniques, pressure flaking, and tool types.

### Chapter 1: Stone Selection

| Stone | Fracture Quality | Edge Sharpness | Availability | Color | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian | Excellent (conchoidal) | Razor sharp (molecular) | Volcanic regions | Black, dark | Moderate |
| Flint/chert | Excellent (conchoidal) | Very sharp | Widespread (limestone) | Gray, brown, tan | Moderate |
| Jasper | Very good | Very sharp | Moderate | Red, yellow, green | Moderate |
| Agate | Very good | Very sharp | Moderate | Banded, varied | Moderate-high |
| Quartzite | Good | Sharp | Very common | White, gray, pink | Low-moderate |
| Basalt | Fair | Moderate | Very common (volcanic) | Dark gray, black | Low |
| Glass (bottle) | Excellent | Razor sharp | Everywhere (modern) | Green, brown, clear | Low |
| Porcelain | Very good | Very sharp | Common (modern) | White | Low |

Conchoidal fracture: 1) Ideal knapping stones fracture in smooth, curved surfaces (like a seashell). 2) When struck, force radiates outward in a cone shape. 3) This cone of force removes a flake with predictable geometry. 4) The flake has a bulb of percussion (where force entered). 5) Flake edges are razor sharp (sharper than surgical steel with obsidian). 6) Quality of fracture depends on stone homogeneity. 7) Inclusions, fossils, or cracks cause unpredictable breaks. 8) Test stone: strike with hammerstone; good stone produces thin, curved flakes.

### Chapter 2: Percussion Techniques

| Technique | Tool | Force | Control | Use | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard hammer | Hammerstone (round cobble) | High | Low | Initial shaping, large flakes | Low |
| Soft hammer | Antler billet, copper billet | Moderate | Good | Thinning, shaping | Moderate |
| Bipolar | Hammerstone on anvil stone | Very high | Very low | Splitting cobbles, cores | Very low |
| Indirect percussion | Antler punch + hammerstone | Moderate | Very good | Precise flake removal | High |

Hard hammer percussion: 1) Select hammerstone (round, dense cobble that fits in hand). 2) Hold core (stone being shaped) in non-dominant hand. 3) Strike edge of core at approximately 45-degree angle. 4) Strike at or just below the platform edge. 5) Follow through (do not pull back on impact). 6) Flake detaches from opposite side of strike. 7) Platform angle must be less than 90 degrees (acute angle). 8) If platform is too steep (greater than 90°), flake will not detach cleanly. 9) Prepare platforms by removing small chips to create proper angle. 10) Rotate core, removing flakes around entire circumference.

### Chapter 3: Pressure Flaking

Pressure flaking: 1) Tool: antler tine, copper nail in wooden handle, or hardened nail. 2) Place tip of pressure flaker on edge of stone. 3) Push inward and downward simultaneously. 4) Small flake pops off the opposite face. 5) Work around entire edge for uniform sharpening. 6) This is the finishing technique (after percussion shaping). 7) Creates the final sharp, serrated, or notched edge. 8) Used for: arrowheads, fine knives, notching for hafting. 9) Requires practice (too much pressure = break; too little = nothing happens). 10) Support the piece on leather pad on thigh (protects leg from cuts).

| Tool Type | Technique Sequence | Time | Difficulty | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple flake tool | Hard hammer only | 1 minute | Very low | Crude but sharp cutting edge |
| Chopper | Hard hammer shaping | 5-10 minutes | Low | Heavy cutting/chopping |
| Knife (bifacial) | Hard hammer + soft hammer | 15-30 minutes | Moderate | Thin, sharp knife |
| Arrowhead | All techniques + pressure flaking | 30-60 minutes | High | Small, precise projectile point |
| Spear point | All techniques | 20-45 minutes | Moderate-high | Large projectile point |
| Scraper | Hard hammer + minimal shaping | 5-10 minutes | Low | Hide scraping, woodworking |
| Drill | Pressure flaking on narrow flake | 15-30 minutes | Moderate | Boring holes |

### Chapter 4: Tool Types and Uses

| Tool | Shape | Edge | Primary Use | Secondary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand axe | Teardrop, bifacial | All around | Chopping, cutting | Digging, scraping |
| Knife | Thin, leaf-shaped | One or two edges | Cutting, slicing | Skinning |
| Scraper | Thick, steep edge | One edge (steep) | Hide scraping | Woodworking |
| Arrowhead | Small, triangular | All edges sharp | Projectile point | Cutting |
| Spear point | Large, leaf or stemmed | All edges | Projectile/thrust | Cutting |
| Burin | Chisel-like point | Narrow point | Engraving, grooving | Bone/antler working |
| Adze | Beveled one side | One edge | Woodworking (chopping) | Digging |

### Chapter 5: Safety and Practice

| Hazard | Prevention | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Cuts from sharp flakes | Leather gloves, leg pad, eye protection | Clean wound, bandage (flake cuts are very clean) |
| Eye injury from flying chips | Safety glasses (always) | Seek medical attention |
| Silicosis (long-term dust) | Work outdoors, wet knapping | N/A (prevention only) |
| Hand strain | Take breaks, stretch | Rest, ice |

### Reference Card

1. Platform angle is everything (the angle where you strike must be less than 90 degrees; if the platform is too steep, the flake will not detach). 2. Obsidian is sharper than steel (obsidian fractures to a molecular edge, sharper than any metal blade; it was used for surgery). 3. Soft hammer for thinning (switch from hammerstone to antler billet when you need to remove thin, wide flakes for shaping). 4. Pressure flaking is the finishing step (after percussion shaping, pressure flaking creates the final sharp edge, notches, and serrations). 5. Every flake is a tool (the flakes you remove during shaping are themselves razor-sharp cutting tools; do not discard them). 6. Practice on glass bottles (bottle glass knaps identically to obsidian; it is free, abundant, and perfect for learning). 7. Wear eye protection always (stone chips fly unpredictably; a chip in the eye can cause permanent damage). 8. The stone tells you what it wants to be (read the fracture patterns; work with the stone's natural geometry, not against it).