What will I do on this flint knapping course?
During this introductory one day flint knapping course you’ll learn the basics of flint knapping and the techniques you’ll need to create functional items.
You’ll start the day by looking at a range of tools where flint has been used for both the finished item and also in the production of other craft items.
We’ll discuss and demonstrate some methods of removing flakes from bigger pieces of stone in order to be used for smaller items. You’ll gain knowledge in some knapping basics such as sourcing stone, gauging quality material, blade removal, creating platforms, flaking and what’s useful for a good knapping kit including various flakers and hammer stones.
The flint knapping course will focus on you:
- Producing arrowheads,
- Creating blades for all manner of uses, and
- Making drill tips.
Aside from flint knapping, you’ll have the opportunity to use some of the flint points you create to make a flint drill under the expert guidance of the course leader, Billy Souter.
Flint drills are a wonderful example of simple but incredibly effective Stone Age technology. A tool that is in theory easy to make, but has so many practical applications. These drills are regularly used on our Bone Tools and Primitive Fishing Kits courses for various purposes.
Primitive glue making will be a key component of the day and you’ll learn how to make your own resin glue and see the variety of materials that can be incorporated into the glue, depending on the desired tool.
By the end of this flint knapping course you’ll have gained a solid understanding of basic flint knapping techniques, and made a variety of simple flint tools/components and primitive resin glue.
A fantastic course for anyone looking to learn more about ancestral skills, whether you have no previous experience or want to build on your existing knowledge.
You can view our full course schedule here.
Other information
Location: Westwell, Kent
Duration: 1 day
Start: 10am
End: 4pm
Course size: Maximum of 8
Catering: We’ll provide tea & coffee, you’ll need to bring a packed lunch
Note: There’s a short walk from the meeting point to the camp.
What happens next?
Once you’ve made your booking you’ll receive an automated booking confirmation from Ecwid, our e-commerce platform provider.
We’ll send you a comprehensive joining pack 6 to 8 weeks prior to the start of your flint knapping course. This includes the location of the meeting point and what to bring. Please read the joining pack when you receive it as it contains essential information about attending our flint knapping course!!
FAQs
If you have any questions, take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you still have a question, feel free to email us at info@jackravenbushcraft.co.uk
Please note that as we work predominantly in the woods, it’s not easy for us to be in contact 24/7.
We can be contacted by phone at any time, although during teaching sessions it’s kept on silent.
Email is checked as soon as we get back from the woods.
Our blog
There are loads of posts on our blog related to our flint knapping course so feel free to take a look.
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What our customers say about our flint knapping course
We also have reviews on our Facebook page and our Google Business page so you can check out those as well.
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I had one day with primitive skills instructor Billy Souter on the Jack Raven 'Flint Knapping and Primitive Glues' course. I enjoyed it immensely and learnt a lot. Billy's teaching style certainly works for me and I got a lot out of the day. We made a stone-age drill from flint, hazel and the glue, and harvested the hazel with a flint tool we each made. I certainly intend to return to Jack Raven and if possible also to another course with Billy instructing. Billy had a number of items that he's made previously with him, he's clearly a very talented chap!
What a superb course, Billy was a great tutor. Great atmosphere, good company and I learnt tonnes of new skills to lift my bushcraft knowledge to the next level. Thank you so much.
An excellent, educational and entertaining workshop.
I attended this course in May 2024, it is my third ancestral skills course with Jack Raven. Although no prior knowledge is required to enjoy this course.
Billy the tutor is very knowledgable and a great communicator, who has a clear joy in passing on his knowledge. The course is hands on, and there was a large handling collection of flint objects to examine close up. Everything is provided to work the locally sourced flint into usable tools. Most of the group opted to make flint drills. Everything to produce this tool was completed using only the techniques available to our neolithic ancestors, no modern knives, sandpaper or saws were utilised. Even the green hazel shaft and the glue to attach the flint points were gathered and made authentically. Everybody on the course left with either a drill or other stone tool.
I believe everybody came away with an appreciation of the skill required by our ancestors to make their own tools and a new understanding of flint as a material. Flint is an incredible resource. A durable material with many practical uses.
I would recommend this course if you are looking for something slightly different in Bushcraft knowledge or are curious about experimental archeology.
