Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: Kitsu on March 24, 2009, 03:08:13 pm

Title: Any tips on where to look for flint in Buffalo NY
Post by: Kitsu on March 24, 2009, 03:08:13 pm
I am in Newfane (near buffalo >.<) and i have NO IDEA where to find flint, i have dug in my creek it would help if i knew what the flint around my area looks like, because it is hard for me to figure it out >.>
Title: Re: Any tips on where to look for flint in Buffalo NY
Post by: Hardawaypoints on March 24, 2009, 05:11:29 pm
 Around Buffalo, there is an abundance of Onondaga chert, which is a mottled grey with lighter grey streaks through it.  There is a lot up there from what I've heard.  It can be tough to work, but it is free(!).  I got some from a friend who looks along the lake & rivers in the area.  It has a petroleum smell when you chip it.  Sometimes it can have hidden cracks that only show up when you start taking flakes off it.  Hope this helps.

Jim
Title: Re: Any tips on where to look for flint in Buffalo NY
Post by: Kitsu on March 24, 2009, 07:47:38 pm
Around Buffalo, there is an abundance of Onondaga chert, which is a mottled grey with lighter grey streaks through it.  There is a lot up there from what I've heard.  It can be tough to work, but it is free(!).  I got some from a friend who looks along the lake & rivers in the area.  It has a petroleum smell when you chip it.  Sometimes it can have hidden cracks that only show up when you start taking flakes off it.  Hope this helps.

Jim

so far what i found out, is i have a crap load of coal, but not much else, >.> i got like 50 lbs brought up so far its solid black shiny on the inside dull on the outside, if u strike it, no spark (so its not flint) and i took to earth science teacher and he also confirmed, he COULD be wrong but not likely :P
Title: Re: Any tips on where to look for flint in Buffalo NY
Post by: sailordad on March 24, 2009, 08:39:55 pm
post a pic of it

more than likely some one here can i.d. it
Title: Re: Any tips on where to look for flint in Buffalo NY
Post by: Kitsu on March 25, 2009, 08:05:12 am
post a pic of it

more than likely some one here can i.d. it

im sure its coal, it breaks too easy to be much else,
Title: Re: Any tips on where to look for flint in Buffalo NY
Post by: mrkinsey on March 25, 2009, 11:14:40 am
There is a large deposit of chert in Shelby (Orleans County).  I am unsure of who owns the land currently, but I am seeking to find out. 
Title: Re: Any tips on where to look for flint in Buffalo NY
Post by: jamie on March 26, 2009, 08:12:40 pm
there is a lot of onandaga up there along the lake. lot of coal too like ya said. keep your eyes and ears open for the letchworth knap in. i think its in august. you can get a lot of help and info from those guys
Title: Re: Any tips on where to look for flint in Buffalo NY
Post by: jcinpc on March 29, 2009, 03:45:11 pm
heres a pic of that onondaga stuff

(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/jcinpc/DSC04242.jpg)
Title: Re: Any tips on where to look for flint in Buffalo NY
Post by: Kitsu on April 08, 2009, 07:35:54 pm
heres a pic of that onondaga stuff

(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/jcinpc/DSC04242.jpg)

o.o i was expecting something darker, we have LOADS of that, and some stuff a lil lighter too, its all over the creek bed, hey, its still light out ill head out and get a pic or two now that i have "access" to the camera hehe,

update: got the pictures taken now i just have to wait for them to be put on the comp later then ill upload, but yeah, i have to ask, how thick should they be, whenever i get a good point i can break it by putting pressure on the side of it with my thumb, yea its sharp on the edges and stuff but it breaks >.>,
Title: Re: Any tips on where to look for flint in Buffalo NY
Post by: Kitsu on April 19, 2009, 01:50:45 am
i hope this isnt too dead now, but i have a few questions, i dont think the stuff in my creek is good quality chert x.x when i break it yea it breaks off with sharp edges and breaks in flakes, but it has a rough feel to it...

today i was out with my dad doing looking for plants at one of the nurseries nearby (dad is a landscaper and he needs help lol) , and as he was looking at plants my A.D.D kicked in lol (i get A.D.D moments time to time lolz) i was looking at the ground  and picking up fist size chunks of smooth rocks and yea, when i got home i was working with it and man... they do spark alot even with a hammerstone... long story short, i dont have that kind around here, but i dont know 100 percent if the Onondaga stuff is what i have in my creek or what i found today, either way, i have plenty of good flakes off of them, now i just need to find a huge rock nearby to gradually mooch off of... hrmm... lol

and btw the smooth ones i used break off sharp enough that u can shave with them, and thats not an exaggeration x.x  ive never seen flint nor chert but all i can say is that if this isnt the real deal... then idk x.x
Title: Re: Any tips on where to look for flint in Buffalo NY
Post by: jamie on April 20, 2009, 05:16:20 am
a lot of the stone is like that . i had a beautiful piece of normanskill . it showed no signs of fractures in it. as soon as i took a swing at it it fractured into a half dozen pieces.