Art of Ishi

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 daily lives. Add to that the fact that this technology existed for uncounted thousands of years. Being able to experience what they experienced, even if you are not a flintknapper, is a lesson in history which is not only fascinating, but downright fun.

Want to make and maybe even use your own stone knife? Let me know. It can be your ticket to taking a trip back in time.

I have received many questions and comments about my Mammoth Rib knives. One of the most common comments by folks is that they would love to own a real mammoth rib knife but can’t afford the cost. Yes, a collectible 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 collectible mammoth rib knife with exceptionally rare and beautiful materials for an affordable price. If you prefer a custom made knife, contact me and I can give you options on selecting the materials you prefer. I will create it according to your specs.

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’ leadership. Then the covenant sort of got broke by the Israelites. Moses had recently died. Now that Joshua was leading the nation, after Israel had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, all of the men who had originally been circumcised were dead. No worries. It was time to simply renew the covenant before entering God’s Promised Land. It probably sounded great to everybody but the young men of Israel. At that point they may have thought that wandering in the wilderness wasn’t that bad.

In any case, the situation provokes some compelling questions. Why would God tell Joshua and the Israelites, who were living in the Bronze age, to specifically use flint knives for a very delicate surgical procedure? These people lived in Egypt for hundreds of years. They posessed metal tools and weapons and the technology to produce them. After all, just after they started their walk-about in the desert, they designed and crafted a pretty slick golden calf out there in the wilderness. Moses broke it, in case you’re interested.

It’s fascinating that God’s command to make flint knives, presumes that Joshua was familiar with this “old neolithic technology”. It’s precisely this Old World flintknapping technology that makes it so interesting. Flintworking at that time revolved primarily around a method called Blade-Core technology. It involves procuring a chunk of flint which is then shaped in a way that allows production of predictable, parallel sided blades. This type of flint blade is sharp. How sharp? Sharp enough to serve as a surgical instrument, and much sharper than a bronze knife is capable of being, due to the relative softness of the metal.

So here we have Stone-Age technology, which apparently enjoyed some degree of familiarity even in the Bronze Age. But in this situational context, God’s motive seems focused on the reality that flint blades will cut cleaner, thus resulting in less pain and more rapid healing for the patients. It’s almost startling that to think that God would point to old technology as being superior in this circumstance. How did He know that? Well, He’s God.

But wait. There is perhaps an even more compelling reason why God directed flint knives to be used. If you study bronze blades and flint blades under high magnification, you see a stark difference. The surface of a flint blade is quite smooth and homogeneous. A bronze blade is full of pits and grooves, great homes in which all kinds of harmful bacteria can thrive. A blade that is struck from, what would have been the interior of a chunk of flint, is comparatively sterile.

Now it’s doubtful that the Israelites had knowledge of bacteria and it’s ability to cause dangerous infections, but once again, God certainly did. So, is it probable that God commanded Joshua to use old technology because of its superiority in this case? Is it likely that His directive came out of His concern to mitigate pain, discomfort and risk of infection that resulted from doing delicate, non-anasthetical surgery, in a tent. It would seem so. Having said that, one might still assume that a collective “OOOOOOOOW”! rose from the Israelite camp one day in the Bronze Age.

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 camp for kids.  One point will find a home in my Keeper Case, and one will be for sale.  I can’t give previews at this time but I can tell you that my points will be made of the finest Ocean Wave Jasper.   The calender will be available by Labor Day.

Just shoot me a note or call if you have an interest in purchasing a “published arrowhead”.

This question is ask of me more and more frequently by people from all walks of life. The answer is, ABSOLUTELY! While it’s true that some folks have more God-given ability at flint knapping than others, it’s also true that anyone can learn and practice basic flint knapping. I also believe that anyone with an interest in making arrowheads and stone tools, can enjoy it. There are tons of great resources out there to help you learn – books, DVD’s, You Tube videos, etc. There are also hands-on flint knapping classes where you can receive personal instruction on how to make arrowheads or a host of flint and obsidian tools.

I will be conducting such a class on Saturday, July 14, 2012, at my residence here outside of Portland, MI. The info is on my Education page. Feel free to contact me with any questions about this class or future classes.

Folks often tell me that they don’t know why they love collecting arrowheads, or flint knives, for that matter. I know. I have wondered that about myself and here’s what I have concluded. It’s all about the history, simplicity and the lines! First, we all have a primordial connection with arrowheads and flint knives. Out ancestors used them to live. Perhaps collecting projectile points, flint tools or stone knives relects a yearning for a simpler life. Maybe that simplicity is compelling for us modern, high tech people.

The long history of primitive tools and weapons like arrowheads and stone knives is also fascinating. I think it’s the mystery of what went on throughout the vast stone-age which draws us to the re-creation of these amazing tools. It’s sort of like a big jigsaw puzzle and trying to find pieces that fit to form a picture of what went on way back then. Arrowheads and stone knives are pieces of that enigmatic puzzle.

Now the lines – oh yeah. A well made arrowhead or flint knife has very simple but alluring lines that are just pleasing to the eye. Of course, the gorgeous colors and patterns that occur in gem quality flint, agate, jasper, etc. sure add a lot. too. Put simply, I guess modern arrowheads and flint knives are manifestations of beauty that has always existed. I think we share that appreciation of stone-age beauty with all people of the past.

I am frequently ask about whether I do custom orders for stone knives, arrowheads, opal jewelry, etc. The answer is, certainly. I do enjoy the challenge of custom orders and accept them as long as they are within the limits of my skills and artistic abilities.

Many arrowhead or knife collectors have certain types of stone that they favor. Or perhaps you have certain types of points or knife designs that you like. I understand – I have preferences, too. Let me know what your preferences are and I can keep them in mind. if you can convey to me what you have pictured in your mind, then I can tackle the challenge of making it become a reality.

What’s the time frame for custom orders? It varies with the demands of the order, but rarely is it more than a few weeks. Sometimes it may only be a few days in cases of simple orders. For example, if you wanted a 4″ Scottsbluff point made of Bullseye Jasper I can usually get to it within a few days. If you ordered a 12 inch custom knife with an exotic agate blade set in a mammoth rib handle, with artwork scrimshawed on the handle, then we might be looking at 6 to 8 weeks. But with most custom orders you are only required to pay 50% in advance. I don’t want you to pay fully in advance because it might make me lazy. (Big grin) So if you have an idea, just call or shoot me an e-mail with what you have in mind. It may be something I never thought of before.

Since I got back from the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show I’ve been keeping a secret. But I can’t keep it any longer or I’ll explode. I found some rock that I dream about, but it’s better than that. At the bottom of a rock pile I dicovered a few pieces of blue knapping rock! Naturally, I dove on it like a hungry cat on a fat mouse. You see, blue is the rarest color in flintknapping rock. To confirm that, all you have to do is see the absence of blue arrowheads or stone knives in your collection – or go to a museum which has stone artifact exhibits. You’re not likely to see blue. In any case, I have knapped a couple of points from this rock and am so happy with them that they found their way into my own Keeper Case. Worry not. Soon there will be a blue arrowhead or two and perhaps a blue stone knife for sale on my website. Then a blue arrowhead can find it’s way into your Keeper Case, too. This is some very cool flintknapping material. Is it flint, agate, or jasper? Where does it come from? Those secrets will be revealed with the first posting.

I returned recently from hunting in Arizona and Texas. Hunting what? Rocks and opal, of course, and I did pretty well. I brought home some stunning opal and can’t wait to knap it into arrowhead necklaces and earrings. I also scored some screamer agate, flint, jasper and flint. I am already visualizing some of it transformed into stone knives and arrowheads. Oh yeah, Clovis points, Dovetails, Cahokias, maybe a Folsom or two, and I can’t forget Dalton points, Agate Basins, and Lost Lakes. If you think of others I need to knap, just let me know.

I suspect that some will begin showing up on www.artofishi.com pretty soon. Remember, if there is a type of flintknapping rock that you don’t see on my website then you will have to e-mail or call to give me heck. I’m used to getting heck, usually for not making enough new creations to keep folks satisfied. I’m trying to resolve the situation by training my dogs to help me. So far they just lay there and chew on my flintknapping tools. I guess some dogs are flintknappers and some aren’t.

Valentine’s Day is coming and you have 3 choices. Pretend you don’t know and get your sweetie nothing. (Bad choice) Get your sweetie the same old box of candy, card or flowers, all of which will be gone in a week. (Better choice) Or you can get your sweetie something that is totally unique, will last forever because it’s made of stone, and will serve as a permanent reminder of how nice you really are. (Best choice) Make it a memorable Valentine’s Day with a heart necklace, arrowhead necklace, opal arrowhead necklace or even a collectible flintknapped knife. O.K., maybe throw in a card or box of chocolates, too. Remember, nothing says I love you like a heart of stone!