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 and meet fellow lithic 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 "1st Annual Atlatl Competition & Knap-In" on September 5:
The 1st Annual Atlatl Competition & Knap-In was held at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. The event was well attended by about 75 visitors, including participants. The public got the opportunity to throw an atlatl dart at a cardboard target, toss rabbit sticks (non-returnable boomerangs) at wooden tripod targets and compete in the International Standard Atlatl Competition (ISAC). Flintknappers from the California Knappers group did demonstrations of the art of flaking rocks to make Stone Age points and tools. A reporter and photographer from the Fremont Argus newspaper attended the event and did an article the following day. Access the webpage below to read about the newspaper article entitled "Fremont Hosts Prehistoric Weapons Contest".

http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_16000677?IADID=Search-www.insidebayarea.com-www.insidebayarea.com

Information for the NEXT California Knappers Get-together

Date: October 24, 2010 (Sunday) CANCELED - Due to rain on 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 small pine tree. Look towards the children's 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. Parking is also available along the street. Look past the restrooms at the far end of the park. We will be located near a small 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. Parking is also available along the street. Look past the restrooms at the far end of the park. We will be located near a small 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. Parking is also available along the street. Look past the restrooms at the far end of the park. We will be located near a small pine tree.