Let's go to a Knap-in
By Chips Staff

Each year various hardy souls take it upon themselves to host knap-ins. We see the number of such events and the crowds in attendance increasing year by year. Many attendees are “regulars” who make a knap-in circuit, but we also find lots of new people showing up. Even though they may be CHIPS readers, it’s obvious they don’t know what to expect when they think about coming. We would like to cover some of the basics in hopes of encouraging attendance.

Sometimes knap-ins are held at private homes of the hosts, but most are in public parks where space is rented or reserved in advance. For the most part, you don’t need to be a member of any club to be welcome. If the advertising says “sponsored by” a particular club, at a public place, you can assume it’s open. If the event is being held at a member’s home but has been advertised, it means they welcome new people but still must count heads carefully to be sure they have enough food, parking space, etc.

If you plan on setting up a commercial booth, it is wise to bring your own tables, shade, and chairs. In public, state or federal parks, especially those parks which are also archaeological areas, such as Flint Ridge or Moundville State Park, there is often a rule against selling artifacts. They may also make special requests for  “primitive craft related,”  “subject related items,”  or “no flea market junk.”   We’ve seen some pretty strict and strange interpretations of these rules as well, but for the most part, we don’t think this is a problem if you read the rules ahead of time. The hosts have nothing to do with this one, but rules are rules. You have no choice but to remove objectionable materials immediately!

There may be a small dealer fee, from $5. to $25. for the event.  At some events they charge per person or “per car.”  This may cover  admission to the park with none of the money going to pay for the knap-in. Hosts have to find other ways to cover the costs of  tent rentals, tables, port-a-johns, parking and trash pickup fees, just to name a few things. Believe me, it’s very expensive to host such an event. Therefore, many knap-ins hold auctions or sell raffle tickets with donated items from the knappers, and anyone setting up to sell. This is part of the fun, and it helps cover the expenses. Just as an example, at the last Georgia Knap-in April 2000, vendors and knappers donated items that brought in over $1300., all of which will be used to provide facilities for the 2001 event.  If no raffle or auction takes place, please be generous with a nice donation to your hosts. If you don’t, next year you may have to head for the woods with a roll of toilet paper, and your experience will not be nearly as pleasant: port-a-potties don’t come cheap. (Try asking your wife about this one.)

Camping is usually available but on a primitive basis (no electricity or water). Since many of the “goings on” happen in the late evening, you may get a lot more out of the event if you camp. Come prepared to fix your own meals as well. Otherwise, it is wise to secure motel rooms in advance. For some events, the few motels fill up fast, so don’t assume you are going to get a room when you get there. But consider this when choosing your campsite, if you plan to hit the sack, that is. At almost any knap-in there will be a set-up for “all-night knappers.” You have to remember that guys like Ron Fuller and Jim Redfearn are just as skilled at knapping at four in the morning as they are at four in the afternoon. They usually group together in one spot and if you look for floodlights or simply ask, you can find out where the noisy spot is going to be. Just ask anyone where “The Fern” is knapping, and don’t pitch your tent next door, unless the clink, clink, click… puts you to sleep. Camp at the quiet end and save yourself some aggravation. Children are welcome but cannot be allowed or expected to entertain themselves by running through the camps or playing in debitage piles. Also, be sure your kids WEAR SHOES! You can’t believe how many barefooted children we have seen walking through chip piles. 

Just leave untrustworthy dogs AT HOME! On several occasions, dogs have created severe problems for hosts by indiscriminate biting, and have gotten into fights with other dogs, endangering bystanders. Victims would love to sue the hosts for this, especially when the dog owner takes off without providing proof of rabies shots!  We have also seen pets cut their feet severely on sharp flakes, another reason to leave them at home. Atl-atl contests are becoming commonplace as it’s a lot of fun to master this primitive skill.  If you are unfamiliar with this devise, it’s a short stick with a hook on one end. This hook fits into the back end of a spear shaft and it acts like an extension of your arm. Tests have shown that the impact power of a spear thrown with an atl-atl is many times that of a spear thrown only with the arm. (Think about the “crack-the-whip” game and how much faster the guy on the end moves.) Man used these spear throwers for centuries to kill his food and they can certainly injure today. For those of you who plan to throw atl-atls, just keep in mind that bystanders may think they are some kind of toy!  Don’t assume onlookers are intelligent enough to stay clear. Like any competitive event, use common sense in throwing and participating.

If a knap-in is scheduled to cover Saturday and Sunday, many knappers will arrive by Thursday and leave by Sunday morning. If you only have one day to attend, forget Sunday, especially if your intent is to purchase materials for knapping. Attempts have been made at various events to hold the knappers through Sunday evening, so far with little success; those who have to work on Monday want to drive home Sunday.

The biggest incentive for attending such an event may be the availability of material. At any typical knap-in, you might see 25 different materials for sale, in all forms. It’s a competitive business, and so the prices you see are going to be the market rate or a little lower. You get to meet rock sellers in person, and it’s great to be able to put names to faces. In addition, many of these vendors don’t do any mail order at all, due to the hassle of shipping. You can obtain some wonderful stone you cannot get by mail, you can pick what you want and not pay shipping. Arrive early if you want an opportunity to purchase the best materials and have the best selection available, as the good stuff will all be gone by Saturday afternoon.

Consider the value of all the free instruction available at these shows. For the most part, knappers are a pretty friendly bunch; you just grab your tools and sit down with a group. Even rank beginners can get free help by merely asking. The wise move however, is to ask a knapper who has just finished a piece or is just starting. Don’t interrupt a knapper while he is super thinning a 10” blade. He might just end up with two blades instead of one, and one of them might be in you!

The last thing you do before you pack for your adventure: call the number listed to double check that the date has not been changed, or that the event has not been cancelled. Schedule conflicts or events of circumstance sometimes cause last minute changes, and you don’t want to travel all that way for nothing, being the last to know. When you get there, stop by our booth,  give us a hello, and have a great time at a knap-in!

Craig Ratzat
 

Mark Bracken and
Don Strong

How about some cave bear skulls?

Dan Theus


Frank Stevens


Jim Regan

Bob Hunt


Jim Spears

Dane Martin, Don Roberts & Carl Smith