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JIM HOPPER'S
FLAKE-OVER-GRINDING

POINTS
PAGE 1 OF 2 PAGES
COPYRIGHT NOVEMBER 30, 2006 PETER A. BOSTROM
Jim Hopper's flake-over-grinding points.
JIM HOPPER POINTS
PRIVATE COLLECTION

    These symmetrical and uniformly flaked points were made by Jim Hopper. His use of flake-over-grinding technology is definitely reflected in his finished points.  His use of colorful stone also enhances the finished "art pieces." The point on the left and right measures 2 5/8 inches (6.6 cm) long.

Abstract image of Jim Hopper's points.

ABSTRACT
JIM HOPPER'S
FLAKE-OVER-GRINDING POINTS

   This article illustrates several examples of Jim Hopper's beautiful points that he is so famous for. Their uniform flaking patterns are made with a manufacturing technique called flake-over-grinding, a lithic technology that has its roots in Predynastic Egypt and the Late Neolithic period in northern Europe. This article describes a little of the learning process he experienced while developing his flintknapping skills over the last 30 years.  Jim Hopper has long been known for his finely crafted points that he makes from beautifully colored agates, chalcedony and cherts.

WHERE TO PURCHASE EXAMPLES
OF JIM HOPPER'S ARTISTIC POINTS

    Jim Hopper's points can be acquired from Tom Onken, who is the president of the Lithic Artist's Guild. He can be contacted at lithicartistg@iowatelecom.net by email. The Lithic Artists Guild's web site is located at www.lithicartistsguild.com The Lithic Artist's Guild's office phone number is 641 625 4180 and address, Lithic Artists Guild, P.O. Box 63, Pella, IA 50219.

     "I found chips and tried heating them by dropping water on them---failure. I then beat on bottle bottoms with a hammer---failure. I then went to the library and checked out an archaeology book------antler chipping tools, a success!!!"---------2006, Jim Hopper.
   
"At age 15 I sold my first arrowheads to a gift shop for .75 cents each."---------2006, Jim Hopper.

Abstract image of Jim Hopper's points.
JIM HOPPER'S
FLAKE-OVER-GRINDING POINTS

    There is no doubt that Jim Hopper is gifted with a high level of flintknapping skill. Since 1982 he has made thousands of some of the most beautiful points that have ever been produced in modern times. What sets them apart from the crowd are the very uniformly flaked surfaces. The technology he uses relates, in ancient times, to the dagger industry in northern Europe and the Gerzean knife production in Predynastic times in North Africa. The technique is as old as the pyramids of Giza. It's called flake-over-grinding.

15 colorfulpoints made by Jim Hopper.
CLICK ON PICTURE FOR LARGER IMAGE
JIM HOPPER'S POINTS
PRIVATE COLLECTION

    This picture shows 15 points of various styles that were made by Jim Hopper. They reflect his highly skilled use of flake-over-grinding flintknapping. He also uses the most colorful stones to make his points. His favorite materials are Indian Paint Agate, Jasper and Sunset Agate. The point at lower left measures 2 inches (5.1 cm) long.

    Stone points and knives can be produced by several different flintknapping techniques. But the technique that produces the most uniform flaking pattern can only be done with flake-over-grinding. This technique is accomplished by removing flakes from a surface that has been ground smooth. In ancient times, the preforms were produced by first percussion and pressure flaking them into shape, then they were were ground until most of the flake scars were removed. It was a lengthy process. Today, most of the preforms begin as cut slabs then they are ground into shape with the use of electric motors and diamond cutters. The smooth surfaced preform is then finished with pressure flaking.

Corner notched point made by Jim Hopper.
CLICK ON PICTURE FOR LARGER IMAGE
JIM HOPPER POINT
PRIVATE COLLECTION

    This corner notched point was made by Jim Hopper. It illustrates the uniform flaking that Jim Hopper is known for. This point measures 2 inches (5.1 cm) long.

    Jim Hopper was born on June 3, 1946. His fascination with stone artifacts, in particularly arrowheads, began at the age of 12. That's when he began hunting them with his brother and cousins and he began to wonder how they were made. He says he began experimenting first with the most illogical ways of doing it. Such as heating the stone then dropping water on it  in an attempt to remove flakes and beating the bottom of bottles with a hammer. The results of which he says----"failure."

Two colorful points made by Jim Hopper.
JIM HOPPER'S
PRIVATE COLLECTION

    These two points were made by Jim Hopper. They are good representative examples of Jim's flintknapping abilities with flake-over-grinding flaking.

    Jim says that he discovered controlled pressure flaking only after he went to the library and "checked out an archaeology book. That's when he saw antler flintknapping tools for the first time and in his words the results were-----"a success!" By this time, he was 15 years old and he began to work with Obsidian and glass. He sold his first arrowheads to a gift shop for .75 cents each. But a couple of years later, in 1963, he says he "pretty much quit chipping arrowheads except for Christmas presents for friends."

CONTINUE ON TO PAGE TWO

"REFERENCES"

2006, Personal communications with Jim Hopper.
2006,
Personal communications with Tom Onken.

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