What's an arrowhead personality?  It's a term I use for something created when I knap a piece of beautiful rock into an arrowhead or spear point of the types used throughout prehistory.  A gorgeous piece of flint, jasper or agate is just a pretty rock until you create something from it.  Each time I successfully do that (not every time is a success), an arrowhead comes into existence that kind of has it's own, unique personality.  Each one is different.  That's what I call arrowhead personality.

If you think that flintknappers like me sort of have our own language for what we do, you are correct.  It's actually the truth.  If you were to sit around with a couple of flintknappers when ...

For some time now I have been offering my Fighting Knife Design in emerald green fiber optic.  It has been popular among collectors, but the question keeps arising whether I offer it in other colors.  Yes, I am now offering my Fiber Optic Fighter in colors that you may custom order.  Here's the shimmering colors that you can order your flintknapped fiber optic knife in:  Cobalt blue, Sky Blue, Gun Steel Blue, White, Yellow and Pink. Yes, Pink!  The pink, however, is an additional $50 due to the fact that creating this color requires a certain amount of gold in the mix.  For that reason, it is no longer being made and my supply of pink fiber optic is dwindling.  

Keep in mind, also, that I can create a...

What is Polychrome Jasper?  I get questions lately about the beautiful material I am knapping called Polychrome.  It's a jasper from Madagascar that can show an amazing array of colors, including the rare and sought after shades of blue.  Blue arrowheads are very hot.  I will be knapping more of it in the near future because I can't help myself.  Too bad Madagascar isn't closer.  Quarrying this gorgeous rock and knapping some points or stone knives right at the source would be a fascinating endeavor.  Stay tuned for more Polychrome creations coming soon.  It's definitely on my list of favorite materials to flintknap.

I'm often asked if I create custom arrowheads and stone knives.  The answer is yes.  Sometimes folks have certain types of points or types of knapping rock they favor.  You may have a real liking for an exotic jasper, agate, flint or obsidian.  In any case, if you let me know the specific types of arrowheads, spear points or knives that you have in mind, I do my best to knap them into reality.  Flintknapping is always a challenge, but creating custom knapped work is particularly exhilerating.  Custom knapping includes anything from tiny bird points to large blades and one-of-a-kind collectable knives.  Or you may have an eccentric point,  an animal effigy or other art knapping in mind.

Let me ...

Well, I just returned from a trip to the annual Tucson Gem & Mineral show.  It's always interesting mingling with people from all over the world who have a passion for rocks, gems, fossils and, yes, even arrowheads.  Naturally, I acquired a fair amount of new flintknapping materials.  You name it - flint, agate, jasper, obsidian, petrified wood and a few other things.  Oh, did I mention opal?  I can't decide which material to make arrowheads and knives from first.  I must admit, however, that I am going to sink my teeth into some of the amazing opal that I bought very soon.  It will make some stunning arrowhead necklaces and earrings.  It almost makes me want to punch holes in my ears.

Oh...

I get a fair amount of feedback from my YouTube videos demonstrating shaving with obsidian blades.  Much of the interest is from guys who want to buy obsidian blades with which to try a shave.  While shaving with a stone razor is an exhilerating experience,  I have been advised to not offer them for sale.  It's the liability thing.  As much as I love to see folks experience so-called primitive technology, shaving with an obsidian razor is dangerous, due to it's scary sharpness.   It does require some experience to avoid injury.  It's not for the faint of heart but, as my friends tell me, it's practiced by the faint of mind.  Hmmmm.

With increasing frequency I receive requests to make custom knife blades.  There seems to be a growing trend among outdoorsmen and knife enthusiasts to build their own knives.  Sometimes they have a piece of handle material that needs an appropriate blade.   Sometimes they just want a nice stone knife but desire the satisfaction of taking part in it's creation.  I can say from experience that there is no satisfaction in using and enjoying a knife like having invested your own time and effort in it's creation.

A stone knife is even more compelling in that way because of the rich history.  Imagine, all of us have stone knives somewhere in our ancestory - people who made and used stone knives as part of their ...

I have received many questions and comments about my Mammoth Rib knives.  One of the most commom comments by folks is that they would love to own a real mammoth rib knife but can't afford the cost.   Yes, a collectable knife made with materials as rare as mammoth bone is more expensive than with some other materials, but there is good news.  I have been designing and creating smaller neck sheath knives for a considerably lower price.   They are made using smaller pieces of select mammoth rib bone, rather than a complete section of mammoth rib.  Result: you can now own a collectable mammoth rib knife with exceptionally rare and beautiful materials for an affordable price.  If you prefer a custom made knife, ...

What does the Bible say about flint knives, or flintknapping?  I'm kidding, right?  No, actually, there are a number of references to stone knives and flintknapping in the Bible.  But for now, let's take a look at one mention of flint knives in the Old Testament's book of Joshua.  At the beginning of the 5th chapter, it says,  "On this occasion the Lord said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelite nation for the second time."  So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites ...."

Now, just to put things in context,  circumcision was the mark of God's covenant with the Israelite nation when they left the captivity of Egypt under Moses' ...

Every year, graphic artist and designer, Derek McLean, www.mcleandesign.com, produces Flintknapping, The Art of the Ancients calender.  It is always eagerly anticipated by knappers and arrowhead collectors, alike.  I have had the good fortune of having my points and blades appear in the flintknapping calender a number of times.  I am pleased to say that I will again have several pieces of my work appear on its glossy, colorful pages.

In the past, quite a few inquiries come in with regard to purchasing an arrowhead, spearpoint or blade that appears in the calender.  I will be producing only 3 pieces for the 2013 calender, one of which will be donated for auction.  The proceeds go to Derek's favorite charity, a ...