Hornstone

[ToddsPoint]

I’ve hunted and knapped hornstone for many years. IL, IN, and KY. Unfortunately I never made it to TN. Hornstone is without a doubt the highest quality material in the Midwest. There are many subtypes that overlap in appearance. I put together a frame with 5-6 points I made from material from each of the 3 states. It’s my “Test Your Knowledge “ frame. I’ve shown this frame to many knappers and also collectors. So far, not a single person has correctly IDd them. I think without microscopic ID, it’s difficult or impossible to put a positive ID on all types hornstone visually.

 

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[tamrock]

I give up 🤔

 

[newnan man]

That is some fine work there.

 

[releventchair]

Well done!

No I wouldn't know all the types either.

 

[BennyV]

Look better than the genuine ones

 

[CreekSide]

Bottom left looks like Hornstone to me. Nice work

 

[ToddsPoint]

Bottom left looks like Hornstone to me. Nice work

Bottom left is from Harrison Co IN. Very high quality material.

 

[tamrock]

That is some fine work there.

It sure is.

 

[ToddsPoint]

It sure is.

Thank you! I started knapping 40 yrs ago this coming summer. I spent 10 yrs making nothing but fluted points. I actually got in a severe rut making them. I still have a difficult time trying to knap in the woodland style. Making lanceolates is a completely different technique than making wide flat blades. This is a frame of fluted points I made.

 

[tamrock]

Thank you! I started knapping 40 yrs ago this coming summer. I spent 10 yrs making nothing but fluted points. I actually got in a severe rut making them. I still have a difficult time trying to knap in the woodland style. Making lanceolates is a completely different technique than making wide flat blades. This is a frame of fluted points I made.View attachment 2189592

You got a gift. I've often wondered were there individuals or even certain groups of people in ancient times that were more of a professional flint knappers. Meaning they earned their keep providing superior points to other individuals who were more involved with the skills of gathering game in a stone age economy.

 

[CreekSide]

You got a gift. I've often wondered were there individuals or even certain groups of people in ancient times that were more of a professional flint knappers. Meaning they earned their keep providing superior points to other individuals who were more involved with the skills of gathering game in a stone age economy.

Have you seen some of my less attractive points? I’m sure there was some that did nothing but make points for everyone

 

[tamrock]

Have you seen some of my less attractive points? I’m sure there was some that did nothing but make points for everyone

I've hunted and collected artifacts along the upper Arkansas river in central Colorado a lot being I lived very close to the river. What I found was various levels of workmanship and styles. It was a place that for thousands of years nomadic peoples came during the summer months to gather food. The styles I found indicated they came from the south up the Rio Grande and from the east of the Rockies plains. You could see walking around what a garden of eden it was with plenty of deer, fish and pinion nuts to gather.

 

[russau]

ToddsPoint that is a absolutely beautiful display of points and the framing of them !!! SALUTE to you sir ! Some day I'd like to knap like that . I've been to one introductory class at Cahokia Mounds in Illinois years back and did a little knapping and I can shape them BUT getting them thin is my downfall ! THANK YOU for showing us how a Master does it !!

 

[Tnmountains]

Great work ! Tennessee horn stone is pretty clean. Almost like glass.Many of my points I find are horn stone a common material here as is fort payne.

 

[ArfieBoy]

Very nice work! Congratulations on your points. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ToddsPoint]

Great work ! Tennessee horn stone is pretty clean. Almost like glass.Many of my points I find are horn stone a common material here as is fort payne.

I haven’t forgotten about you. I have a few pieces of Horse Creek. Unfortunately it was terrible. Smaller pieces with no shortage of cracks. I’m trying to cut and polish you a sample piece. Unfortunately winter hit and my unheated shop in my barn is abandoned until spring. Be patient and I’ll get you something made.👍🏻

 

[ToddsPoint]

Great work ! Tennessee horn stone is pretty clean. Almost like glass.Many of my points I find are horn stone a common material here as is fort payne.

Do you know of creeks with good flint? I’d love to come to TN and hunt rocks but I’m too old and crippled up. My days of carrying 5 gal buckets of rocks are over! My younger knapper friend does make it to TN and found the Horse. Flint sources are usually very local. Difficult to find for an outsider just driving around blind.

 

[russau]

There is a Flint outcropping here in Missouri that I was told it was a major Indian source of flint. It is now owned by the Boy Scouts of America and the public is not allowed into it. BUT I talked to one of the entryway guards and he said the maintenance people used to pickup up the lose rubble (flint) and use it to fill in erosion in and around the camp. The name of this place is call "The Boumount Reservation Boy Scout camp) and its located off hiway 44 around Eureka Missouri. I went there once as a Boy Scout years back. the last time I went there was probly 30 years ago and the public can't access the property BUT talking to the guard would prevent any hard feelings and the police visit ! The creeks near this location are full of material. I hope this info will help someone !