I traveled 8 hours from Iowa not knowing what to expect from this event. I wanted to learn a little about knappin and meet a few people in person that I have meet on this forum. I did just that and so much more. After I shot the hunters challenge. I spent the rest of the day in the pit making points and and then learning how to finish and pressure flake better. Shannon and Jeff tried to explain Friday night at about 1am how to work the stone and I stayed up till 2am practicing a new technique. Man did it rain that night. Then I went back Sat shot the IBO and continued knapping all day and bifaced out a lot of pieces with Shannon and then finished the KY blue point that Shannon and Jeff were instructing me on Friday night. I think I finally got the idea that afternoon. So thanks Shannon for your help, man it really meant a lot to me! You are very talented and I appreciate you sharing your skills with me.
At this point my hand were so cut up I had to stop knappin. I counted 40 cuts just on the left hand. So I switch to working on my bow and I had so much help that came from everywhere. Al and his friend (I can't remember his name but he made a dvd on bow building sold at three rivers archery ) came over and started helping learn to chase rings with the draw knife. Then Gene popped in am gave me more instruction. Gene left then Shannon and Jeff jumped in and helped me lay out the bow and Shannon showed me how to cut the bow on the bandsaw so that I would not destroy the stave. There was another guy that showed me a really cool bow that had holes and knots that jumped in and helped me clean up the back. I just can't remember his name. We also knapped together and he is a great guy that helped a young girl learn to flint knap. Anyway Jeff and I worked on filing the belly till 12:30 that night. Thanks for the help guys, my head hurt from how much I was learning in such a short period of time. Not to forget Pappy for being a great host to me and making sure I was having a great time during my visit. I meet so many good people that this was one of the best trips and experiences ever.
