"Modern knapping is clearly a folk art in the sense used by
folklorists. It is a craft that embodies tradition, both an ancient
tradition that it emulates and a shorter, more recent tradition as a
historic craft".---2004,
John C. Whittaker, "American Flintknappers," p.173.

TWISTED POINTS
Flintknappers seem to be able to flake their stone points and knives
into every shape. The two twisted points pictured here were made by two
skilled knappers, Woody Blackwell and "Swoose." These points
would be considered normal (although skillfully done) if it wasn't for
their contorted shape. Ancient points can be twisted from edge beveling
or from a crooked flake. These points are pushing the twisting boundaries.
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CLICK ON
PICTURE FOR LARGE TRIPLE IMAGE
TWISTED POINT
MADE BY "SWOOSE"
DONNY KcKINNIS COLLECTION
This stemmed point was made by a flintknapper who goes by the name
"Swoose." His signature type point is illustrated here. He
makes his twisted points with a buffalo horn pressure flaker and a
leather pad for backing. This point appears to be made of Burlington chert. It
measures 5 1/4 inches (13.3 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. |
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Both of these
points have a twist in the blade but they were made by completely
different techniques. One was made with pressure and the other by
percussion flaking. The narrow pink point, made by "Swoose,"
was made with a buffalo horn pressure flaker and a leather pad for
backing. The wider point was made by Woody Blackwell. It was
made with percussion flaking and pressure trimming along the edges.
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CLICK ON
PICTURE FOR LARGE TRIPLE IMAGE
TWISTED POINT
MADE BY WOODY BLACKWELL
DONNY KcKINNIS COLLECTION
This artistically twisted point was made by Woody Blackwell and is
very skillfully flaked. It was made with percussion flaking and
trimmed on the edges with pressure flaking. It's made of Carter Cave
chert and measures 4 11/16 inches (11.8 cm) long and 2 1/8 inches
(5.3 cm) wide. |
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John Whittaker
writes in his book "American Flintknappers" that "folklorists appreciate
the work of flintknappers as folk art. But art historians are likely to regard
stone tools with distain." He uses the example of hafted Egyptian Ripple
Flaked Gerzean knives that some academicians believe are the finest
flaked stone objects ever produced. The art historian will display and describe
the engraved handles but will have little regard for the Gerzean knife
blades they are attached to. It's an interesting argument---what is art?
The two twisted points illustrated in this article can be seen as unique
pieces of art----they really are enjoyable to look at.
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"REFERENCES"
2004,
Whittaker, John C., "American Flintknappers," p.173.
Personal communications with Donny McKinnis
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