Main Discussion Area > Flintknapping

Finding rock is confusing

(1/6) > >>

MulchMaker:
Hello all, I live In upstate New York in which there is an abundance of knappable stone, according to the state geologist and every flintknapper ive read online says the same. So to get to the point I've wandered up and down just about every river and stream for the last two years with a bopper or a large hammer stone if I forgot the bopper and I have found a ton of stuff that was to small to use or just not good quality flint. Am I just flint blind? There is supposed to be Onondaga chert around here somewhere and the glaciers should have put it into every stream around here. Is there a better way? It seams every piece I find is a limestone cobble with a thin piece of chert running through it. I bought a small amount of dacite, obsidian, and some noveculite to learn on and bottle glass always goes in the pocket when I'm looking for rock. But I'd like to get my hands on a method to find some natural stuff.
Thanks

Dakota Kid:
Look for areas where they cut through the hills for roads or train tracks. There should be a layer of chert fairly deep in the strata. Along the lake shore and the Niagara river are supposed to be good spots as well. If you have a college or high school nearby you could always ask the geology professor. They usually have pretty good knowledge of where to find local rocks. 

Outbackbob48:
Supposedly, if you draw a line between Buffalo and Albany this is roughly where the Onondaga outcropped, pushed close to the surface, now any rivers , creeks ,roads or other construction  that crosses line  will have some Stink rock. Also I know the cuts across close to the Peace bridge and I have gotten some Onondaga from northen neighbors who have picked up on Lake Erie North Shores, Stink rock comes in all kinds of grades just like any other rock. It usually is layered in with limestone and not easy to get good quality stuff. if I were you I would make sure and be at Letchworth knappin, week before labor day. If you see a bunch of guys running all crazed up to the parking lot get going if you want some Onondaga, believe me it don't last long and the quality varies. It can be tuff rock to work especially lower grades but you only need one primo pc and you will understand the crazed look ;D. As big as the Letchwoth knappin is there is not and over abundance of Onondaga. Good Luck with your search and hope to see ya at Letchworth . Bob

MulchMaker:
thanks for the good info it looks like the line goes through auburn ny I've never searched that area before. I guess I'll still keep an eye out for bottle glass as well while I'm looking for chert, it is definitely stinky as you say, which is cool. As far as the letchworth stone tool show I'm making it a point to be there this year. I hope to meet you there. There are a couple of colleges and high schools near by I'm sure they would be able to point me in the right direction too, never thought of taping that informational resource. Thanks guys

Dakota Kid:
If you're going for bottle glass don't over look old television sets. I prefer it to bottles because the glass is much thicker and not as curved. There's a couple you tube videos on how to break them properly without getting injured or ruining the glass.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page