After a morning of flint knapping I thought I would warn others who want to try this activity that while great fun, it is surprisingly dangerous.

I have cut my hands in over 20 places, some cuts almost deep enough to require stitches.

I also managed to slice a hole in my trousers. If I hadn't been wearing glasses I am sure I would have lost an eye when a timy lump of glass-like obsidian flew up and cut my face.

If all that wasn't enough I have just read in "Masters of Flint" by A J Forrest (1983) that many flint knappers died of a lung disease commonly known as ‘knapper’s rot’. This was caused by inhaling tiny shards of flint dust which got lodged in the lungs.

However, a few hours in the garden with a hammer stone and lump of chert probably wont kill you if you take the following precautions.

• Eye protection is an absolute must.
• A thick leather pad on the thigh if you are using your leg for stability
• a light face mask (probably optional if you are only planning to do this once a year or so)

What about the results. Well I am delighted. I really got to see how worked flint compares with natural breaks and feel a lot more confident about identification now.

Labels: chert, flint, flint knapping, obsidian