Kalamazoo Traditional Bowhunters Expo 2015.

 At the end of January something exciting rolls around….. the Kalamazoo Traditional Bowhunter’s Expo! This is a show that focuses recurve bows and runs Friday through Sunday. Bows, arrows, quivers, archery supplies, and anything related is shown and sold at this event. The Michigan Flintknappers have a booth, run by Don Gilson, to display flintknapping and sell points. While I have attended and knapped with at this show for the past four years, this was my first year that I had permission to sell my work. This is due to the fact that one of our fellow knappers, Clay, decided not to do the show this year. With an empty space available, I was asked if I wanted to take his place. I was delighted to. The show went well even though there was a bad snowstorm Sunday.

 Friday I arrived an hour early to set up. Besides Don, the other knappers involved with the booth included Dan Belknap and Greg Benneck. The show wasn’t that busy and we had plenty of time to knap and socialize. Here are pictures of the displays we had.

Don Gilson's "Keeper Case."

A Hopewell point made from wild, heat-treated Flint Ridge flint.

Several more beautiful points by Don Gilson.

Several beautiful flint-tipped arrows by Don.

A beautiful case of point by Dan Belknap.

More of Dan's display.

Rocks for sale!

More of Dan's points.

                                   

Greg's keeper case. I forgot to take a picture so this is from last year. Many of the same points are in here so it isn't too different.

One of the cases I displayed.

My keeper case.

Don's points for sale.

I bought the center one.

A successful kill, which became a really cool conversation piece. By Don Gilson.

More of Don's arrows.

Handmade wing bone turkey calls made by Don Gilson.

Points made by Don, which are owned by Perry.

Closeup.

Saturday was very busy, with lots of the public, bowers, knappers that we knew, and friends came by. There was lots of knapping of course. After the show, us flintknappers and some of our friends at the show all went out to dinner.

A small frame of work by Tom Talley. All of these points are Fox Valley bifurcate points. The point in the bottom right corner is an original artifact. 

Greg (center), talking to Bob Love (right), who is the president of the Michigan Flintknappers.

Don spalling a piece of Sonora flint from Kentucky.

Me, flintknapping. What else would I be doing?

One of the best points that I made during the show. This large Snyders point was made from Arkansas novaculite. It was made with aboriginal tools.

Backside view.

Edge view.

This style of point is called an Evans. I made it from Buffalo River chert that I gathered on my trip last spring.

A view of the backside.

A view edge-on.

Overall, I had a great time at the show. I am grateful that I was invited to come. I sold a little of over hundred dollars in points, mostly the size for hunting arrows. To find out more information about the show, such as dates, times, and seminars, visit the website at: http://gnbco.com/expo_kalamazoo.php . To see my post from last years show: http://www.flintknapperabo.blogspot.com/2014/01/michigan-flintknappers-meet-at.html .