California Knappers

Monthly Flintknapping Get-Together

The California Knappers, which began in 2010, is a knapping get-together of flintknappers who like to flake stones, learn from each other, trade for materials and meet fellow lithic knappers. The get-together is open to flintknappers of all levels and expertise --- from novice, intermediate and advanced knappers. Anyone who is interested in the skill of making stone tools is more than welcome. We meet one day in every month. Check this webpage for monthly dates.

Flintknapping:
Knapping is the shaping of flint, jasper, agate, chert, quartzite, obsidian or other conchoidal fracturing stone through the process of lithic reduction to manufacture Stone Age tools.

"The word knap means 'to snap or break by a smart blow'. The word flintknapping was coined to describe the manufacturing of gun flints. Not all stones that can be worked into tools are flints, but the label stuck. In present day, the term is commonly and broadly used to describe the prehistoric skill and ancient craft of making flaked stone points, arrowheads and tools."
Definition by Grog Verbeck

Compilation of Knapping Tips

Update on the last knapping get-together:

We had a good turn out at the knapping get-together in September. Nine people attended. Seven flintknappers and two other participants who wanted to learn how to make a tule duck decoy. Dino guided them on the construction of the tule duck decoy. At the end of the day, someone suggested a trip to see the collection of Ishi artifacts stored in the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology at the University of California in Berkeley.

Photo Album

Information for the NEXT California Knappers Get-together

Date: February 22, 2020
Time: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location: Beard Staging Area near the Alameda Creek Regional Trail, Fremont, CA (see driving directions below)
The Beard Staging Area has a free parking lot along with picnic tables, BBQ stands, a port-a-toilet and a drinking fountain.
Information: Contact Dino Labiste via e-mail at kahikoarts@yahoo.com for any questions.
If you plan to attend, it is important that you let me know by sending me an e-mail. If no one is coming, I will not be there. Check this section of the webpage the night before the get-together for any last minute changes.

DIRECTIONS TO BEARD STAGING AREA IN FREMONT:
Heading I-880 south, take the Fremont Blvd / Alvarado Blvd exit near Fremont. You'll encounter two exits with the name Alvarado on the freeway signs as you near Fremont. The first exit sign with that name is called "Alvarado-Niles". DO NOT take that exit. The next exit is called "Fremont Blvd / Alvarado Blvd", which is the correct exit. Turn left onto Fremont Boulevard at the stop light. Alvarado Boulevard becomes Fremont Boulevard at the light. Continue down Fremont Boulevard until you get to the stop light at the intersection of Paseo Padre Parkway and Fremont Boulevard. Make a U-turn at the light, going in the opposite direction on Fremont Boulevard. Turn right on Beard Road. If you go over the overpass of I-880, you've gone too far (you'll have to turn around to get to Beard Road again). Continue driving on Beard Road until it dead ends at the entrance to the Beard Staging Area. Drive pass the gate to the parking lot. Parking is also available along the street. We'll be located at the far end of the staging area, near the picnic table.
Heading I-880 north, take the Alvarado Blvd / Fremont Blvd exit near Fremont. Turn right onto Fremont Boulevard at the stop light. Continue down Fremont Boulevard until you get to the stop light at the intersection of Paseo Padre Parkway and Fremont Boulevard. Make a U-turn at the light, going in the opposite direction on Fremont Boulevard. Turn right on Beard Road. If you go over the overpass of I-880, you've gone too far (you'll have to turn around to get to Beard Road again). Continue driving on Beard Road until it dead ends at the entrance to the Beard Staging Area. Drive pass the gate to the parking lot. Parking is also available along the street.We'll be located at the far end of the staging area, near the picnic table.
Coming from the Dumbarton Bridge, headed towards Fremont. After the toll gate, continue driving until you come to the I-880 on-ramp heading north towards Oakland. Get onto I-880. Take the Alvarado Blvd / Fremont Blvd exit in Fremont. Turn right onto Fremont Boulevard at the stop light. Continue down Fremont Boulevard until you get to the stop light at the intersection of Paseo Padre Parkway and Fremont Boulevard. Make a U-turn at the light, going in the opposite direction on Fremont Boulevard. Turn right on Beard Road. If you go over the overpass of I-880, you've gone too far (you'll have to turn around to get to Beard Road again). Continue driving on Beard Road until it dead ends at the entrance to the Beard Staging Area. Drive pass the gate to the parking lot. Parking is also available along the street. We'll be located at the far end of the staging area, near the picnic table.

The text direction above is a better way to get to the Beard Staging Area, but for your reference, here is a link to a map of the Alameda Creek Regional Trail: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/trails/alameda_creek#trailmap
Look for the Beard Staging Area on the map.