Flint Ridge Knap-In: flintknapper feature

GLENFORD, Ohio-  The Flint Ridge Knap-In festival features hundred of flintknappers from around the world.

Flint knapping is the process of creating arrowheads, spear points, and tools from flint. This skill, of cutting rock into survival tools, has been around for thousands of years. Flintknapper, Ed Mosher, described himself as a ‘rock beater.’

“My main tool is an antler,” said Mosher. “I use antler hammers and then I touch it up with copper, which Native Americans were starting to use up until historical contact time.”

Mosher said he travels across the United States to go to different knapping festivals, but this one stands out to him because it is the largest festival, of its kind, in the world. He said he has a different style of knapping than most of the people at the event.

“I really enjoy doing the Danish work,” said Mosher. “The European style such as the Danish daggers. They’re unique because they have stitch handles.”

Two of his peers have called Mosher one of the best flintknappers in the world. He has been working with flint since 1988.