Knapping Artwork by Barney DeSimone

I started knapping the early 80's after reading about Ishi. I was making glass points to use for bow hunting and eventually started making points for other people. The local knapping group started to take off when Ray Harwood and Alton Safford put on the first annual Wrightwood Knap-in. That's when I met people like Steve Carter, Jeannie Binning, Joe Dabill, Terry Frederick and others who were already making excellent points. I learned a lot from them. Many fun trips to flint sources all over the West followed. I met Joe Higgins and some of the other Washington State knappers one year at Glass Buttes and that was another source of growth. I also had contacts with Errett Calahan and Scott Silsby who's work gave me a target to shoot for. I still haven't hit that mark but keep beating on rocks. Recently Jack Cresson, the hard rock master knapper and archaeologist from New Jersey has been giving me a lot of tips and inspiration. I'm doing more abo knapping and struggling with using wood billets on andesite.  It's an interesting new chapter. There's always something new to learn in knapping. I'm having as much fun at it as ever. --Barney
 

November 2022 Update from Barney

April 2021 Update from Barney

May 2020 Update from Barney

November 2019 Update from Barney

First contribution from Barney DeSimone