| The Kentucky Knappers |
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Jason Gaines
| Gaines The guy behind Kentucky Knappers. |
What I Do When I Am Not Knapping.
I work for an engineering/architecture firm as an electrical designer and own/operate a defense academy (Practical
Defense Academy). I also play bass guitar in a Christian rock band in my spare time.
What Sparked My Knapping Interest?
I have a strong interest in primitive skills, nature, and survival.
I ran across kentuckyknappers.com and Ronnie Hazlett who has since helped mold me into the knapper I am today. I owe
him many thanks for the things he has graciously shown me and for mentoring me in the knapping industry.
My Tool Kit:
My "modern" tool kit consists of two copper percussion billets, a pressure flaker, abrader, and leather pad. For abo work my
kit also contains a moose billet and deer antler flaker. Also in my kit (kit being an old drywall mud bucket) is a notepad for
recording those good and bad learning experiences.
Current Knapping Goals
My current goal is to improve in the art of flint knapping, provide quality economical products to the knapping industry, and
pass on the knowledge I have of flint knapping.
Future Plans
My future plans include an expanded product section on the site to include other primitive products, more knappers pages
where you may view and/or purchase other Kentucky natives work, and to promote flint knapping to the general public.
I work for an engineering/architecture firm as an electrical designer and own/operate a defense academy (Practical
Defense Academy). I also play bass guitar in a Christian rock band in my spare time.
What Sparked My Knapping Interest?
I have a strong interest in primitive skills, nature, and survival.
I ran across kentuckyknappers.com and Ronnie Hazlett who has since helped mold me into the knapper I am today. I owe
him many thanks for the things he has graciously shown me and for mentoring me in the knapping industry.
My Tool Kit:
My "modern" tool kit consists of two copper percussion billets, a pressure flaker, abrader, and leather pad. For abo work my
kit also contains a moose billet and deer antler flaker. Also in my kit (kit being an old drywall mud bucket) is a notepad for
recording those good and bad learning experiences.
Current Knapping Goals
My current goal is to improve in the art of flint knapping, provide quality economical products to the knapping industry, and
pass on the knowledge I have of flint knapping.
Future Plans
My future plans include an expanded product section on the site to include other primitive products, more knappers pages
where you may view and/or purchase other Kentucky natives work, and to promote flint knapping to the general public.
Justin Eldridge
| Eldridge The other founder of Kentucky Knappers |
What I Do When I Am Not Knapping.
I currently install pools for Clearwater fiberglass pools and spas.
What Sparked My Knapping Interest?
Growing up in the hills of Kentucky (far enough from the city to matter), when most were dating, drinking, smoking, and
gaming, my best friend was a creek near my parents’ house. It provided me with enough relics, fish, and flint to keep me out
of trouble.
My stepfather, Dale Farris, planted the initial seed for relic hunting and for flintknapping. After that it seemed to grow into
an addiction. Then, one day in the early 1990’s, I saw a man walking in the creek by the house. He was short in stature and
he was wearing a funny little hat. His name was Joel Robinson. Joel introduced Dale and me to the world of knappers and
knap-ins. My first knap-in and initiation to the Ooga Booga clan happened at Robbie Robinson’s house, which is Joel's
father.
My First Tools, Knap-in, and People I met:
My knapping started out very primitive with just a hammer stone and an antler tine. I have since graduated to a toolbox full
of crap: round stock copper, copper pressure flakers, a copper bopper for fluting, and for my percussion, a one inch flat
stock copper speed bar. But don’t get it twisted, I can still make them with stone and bone, just not as quick.
I have met many people and friends over the years that have guided me in my knapping: Dale for the seed, Joel for the
confidence and for letting me beat up his good rock, Redfern for help in notching, and Ed Moreland for the secret of
fluting.
Outside of my teaching there are just too many to mention. Of course an honorable mention for my colleague, Ronnie
Hazlett who I think next year I’ll claim on my taxes. The Ma and Pa of the knap-ins, Joe and Ann Price (r.i..p. ma, you will
be greatly missed). Through the Prices’ we have met another good friend MexiMike Arguello and his family. Last, but
certainly not least my wife Brittany, who has always accepted me for the weird person that I am.
Current Knapping Goals
My goal in flintknapping is the same as everyone’s; to get better and do what others have done for me, as well as, pass on
the knowledge, tricks, and friendship.
Future Plans
Within this site, Ronnie and I hope to create a friendly site that everyone can use easily, gain knowledge that they can
profit from.
Experimental Projects in The Works
I am currently working, with the people at Hasbro, to develop a miniature rock kiln, which can be used for heat treating
small amounts of rock. It is based very closely to their other product, the Easy-Bake-Oven. They plan to market it with small
amounts of Novaculite and Brazilian agates. Their early plan was to simply repackage the Easy-Bake-Ovens, but I
confronted them with the problems I had with my own Easy-Bake, and its inability to reach the higher temps.
My second project is based on the old myth of chipping stone points using heat and water. I am making great progress by
using only pure distilled water, and applying specific amounts of water using the left wing feathers of the Colonelangus
bird, which has been said to have recently drifted into extinction. Facts and finding of this on going project may not see
publication for several years. But feel free to bring it up at a knap-in for discussion.
I currently install pools for Clearwater fiberglass pools and spas.
What Sparked My Knapping Interest?
Growing up in the hills of Kentucky (far enough from the city to matter), when most were dating, drinking, smoking, and
gaming, my best friend was a creek near my parents’ house. It provided me with enough relics, fish, and flint to keep me out
of trouble.
My stepfather, Dale Farris, planted the initial seed for relic hunting and for flintknapping. After that it seemed to grow into
an addiction. Then, one day in the early 1990’s, I saw a man walking in the creek by the house. He was short in stature and
he was wearing a funny little hat. His name was Joel Robinson. Joel introduced Dale and me to the world of knappers and
knap-ins. My first knap-in and initiation to the Ooga Booga clan happened at Robbie Robinson’s house, which is Joel's
father.
My First Tools, Knap-in, and People I met:
My knapping started out very primitive with just a hammer stone and an antler tine. I have since graduated to a toolbox full
of crap: round stock copper, copper pressure flakers, a copper bopper for fluting, and for my percussion, a one inch flat
stock copper speed bar. But don’t get it twisted, I can still make them with stone and bone, just not as quick.
I have met many people and friends over the years that have guided me in my knapping: Dale for the seed, Joel for the
confidence and for letting me beat up his good rock, Redfern for help in notching, and Ed Moreland for the secret of
fluting.
Outside of my teaching there are just too many to mention. Of course an honorable mention for my colleague, Ronnie
Hazlett who I think next year I’ll claim on my taxes. The Ma and Pa of the knap-ins, Joe and Ann Price (r.i..p. ma, you will
be greatly missed). Through the Prices’ we have met another good friend MexiMike Arguello and his family. Last, but
certainly not least my wife Brittany, who has always accepted me for the weird person that I am.
Current Knapping Goals
My goal in flintknapping is the same as everyone’s; to get better and do what others have done for me, as well as, pass on
the knowledge, tricks, and friendship.
Future Plans
Within this site, Ronnie and I hope to create a friendly site that everyone can use easily, gain knowledge that they can
profit from.
Experimental Projects in The Works
I am currently working, with the people at Hasbro, to develop a miniature rock kiln, which can be used for heat treating
small amounts of rock. It is based very closely to their other product, the Easy-Bake-Oven. They plan to market it with small
amounts of Novaculite and Brazilian agates. Their early plan was to simply repackage the Easy-Bake-Ovens, but I
confronted them with the problems I had with my own Easy-Bake, and its inability to reach the higher temps.
My second project is based on the old myth of chipping stone points using heat and water. I am making great progress by
using only pure distilled water, and applying specific amounts of water using the left wing feathers of the Colonelangus
bird, which has been said to have recently drifted into extinction. Facts and finding of this on going project may not see
publication for several years. But feel free to bring it up at a knap-in for discussion.
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