Primitive Enterprises: Michigan Flintknappers meet at the Kalamazoo Traditional Archery Expo 2014

The Kalamazoo Traditional Archery Expo is a huge show for those interested in traditional archery. This category includes all natural, primitive bows but mostly "longbows" (fiberglass backed). This expo is meant for people all ages and experience levels. You can buy bows and other archery equipment, tools and materials to make your own archery equipment, and hunting gear. But such a show would not be complete without stone arrowheads and flintknapping. In order to accommodate this, the Michigan Flintknappers set up a booth there to demonstrate flintknapping and sell their work. I have came to knap there for four years; it is a special event for me because it is where I received my first hands-on instruction. This booth is put on by Don Gilson, Dan Belknap, Clay Wykes, and Greg Bennick. Other members of the Michigan Flintknappers filtered in and out of the booth to talk and observe. I had a great time and made a few decent points as well.

Here Don is demonstrating how to spall a nodule of Sonora hornstone. He is using a basalt hammerstone.

In mid-strike.

Here Don has set all of the usable flakes back where they came off

A close-up of the nodule.

Here Dan shows a point he just finished.

Here is a close-up of the same point. It is called a Thebes and is made from heat-treated pedernales flint. It is a very nice points and good replica of the style.

Here is Clay focused on making a point.

A case of Don Gilson's work. All of these points are large and very-well done. The "flint Ulus" are not replications but a unique, modern style that I have not seen elsewhere.