California Knappers

Monthly Get-Together Flintknapping Session

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

Flintknapping: 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

Update on the June 19 knapping get-together:
Seven people arrived for the June knapping get-together. It was a beautiful sunny day for a flintknapping session. Rick and Stephen came seperately, but both of them were from Santa Rosa, which is about a 2+ hours drive to Fremont. Pete brought a large piece of man-made quartz crystal for anyone who wanted to knap the material. Dino and Dick gave some tips and lessons on percussion and pressure flaking.

Information for the NEXT California Knappers Get-together

Date: July 25, 2010 (Sunday)
Time: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location: Karl Nordvik Park, 5850 Commerce Dr, Fremont, CA 94555
The park is on the corner of Commerce Dr. and Ardenwood Blvd. We will be located across the restrooms, on the far end of the park, near a pine tree. Look towards the children playground. Parking is free.
Information: Contact Dino Labiste via e-mail for any questions at kahikoarts@yahoo.com
Check this webpage the night before the get-together for any last minute changes.

DIRECTIONS TO KARL NORDVIK PARK:
Heading I-880 south, take the Decoto/Dumbarton Bridge/84 exit near Fremont. Turn right onto Highway 84 headed west. Take the Ardenwood Blvd./Newark Blvd. exit. Turn right at the end of the exit. When you get to the cross street called Commerce Dr., turn right (the park is on the corner). Park in the parking lot closest to the restrooms. Look past the restrooms at the far end of the park. We will be located under a pine tree.
Heading I-880 north, take the Decoto Rd. exit near Fremont. Turn left, headed west. Take the Ardenwood Blvd./Newark Blvd. exit. Turn right at the end of the exit. When you get to the cross street called Commerce Dr., turn right (the park is on the corner). Park in the parking lot closest to the restrooms. Look past the restrooms at the far end of the park. We will be located under a pine tree.
Coming from the Dumbarton Bridge, headed towards Fremont, take the Newark Blvd./Ardenwood Blvd. exit. Turn left at the end of the exit. When you get to the cross street called Commerce Dr., turn right (the park is on the corner). Park in the parking lot closest to the restrooms. Look past the restrooms at the far end of the park. We will be located under a pine tree.