What flint for beginners?

[Muskyman]

Got my rock today. I tried to knap a few pieces. Emphasis on tried. I struggled around for a while and destroyed 4-5 of my pieces and finally gave up for now. Bac to the videos for me. I’ll post a few pictures of what was happening and maybe I can get some feedback.
First thing I have learned is it’s not easy like the guys in the videos make it seem.. I bought a 25 lb box and I have a feeling I’ll turn it all into a bunch of chips and dust  ; that’s okay but I really thought I’d do better. Should have known better. Here’s a couple pictures of my best 2 efforts. Far from good.

[Muskyman]

Back side and some of my problems

[Muskyman]

Another picture

[Muskyman]

One more

[Allyn T]

That's a great start don't worry too much. All of us made a ton of gravel, that's how ya learn. The more ya do it the better you'll start to understand what they are talking about in the videos too.

[YosemiteBen]

Flint requires a good deal of force to get it do what you think you want it to do! I work almost totally in Obsidian! Very different materials! Good Luck!

[GlisGlis]

First thing I have learned is it’s not easy like the guys in the videos make it seem..

    I still keep thinking it every time 
Urban obsidian is almost free and very useful to grasp the basics

Put a big nail in the bottle and shake up and down. Eventually the bottom will detach
Knap it
Watch another video
Start all over again

[Muskyman]

Been trying a few more pieces of rock and am getting better at driving flakes. I have also been trying the indirect percussion. Found that I needed a heavier tool for striking my rod I’m using. My ishi stick with a copper nail wasn’t working well at all for me so I started using a aluminum rod I had and it worked better. Might try some more tomorrow. Also might try and source some bottles with thicker bottoms to use for practice. A little frustrated but been fun so far. I think my rock is raw and not treated. I don’t know if it would help me if it was heat treated or not.