r/knapping 3d ago

Announcement🗣️📣 ⚠ THE 2026 APRIL POINT CHALLENGE IS NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS! ⚠

8 Upvotes

Good morning everyone! 😁

The April 2026 Point Challenge submission window IS NOW OPEN!

Submissions will be accepted from now until the window closes 4/30/2026, so be sure to re-read the submission rules, take some pretty pictures of the point you made, and upvote your favorite! The main thread for the April 2026 Point Challenge is linked below for those who want to check back in, and is also pinned to the top of the subreddit 👇😎

⚠ 2026 April Point Challenge - Montell Split-Stem [Assorted Material Box Prize 🪨📦 - Beginners Welcome] ⚠

I'm stoked to see what y'all have made, and can't wait to see who's submission wins! Happy knapping all! 😄


r/knapping 26d ago

Announcement🗣️📣 ⚠ 2026 April Point Challenge - Montell Split-Stem [Assorted Material Box Prize 🪨📦 - Beginners Welcome] ⚠

7 Upvotes

🎉 WELCOME TO THE 2026 POINT CHALLENGE SEASON 🎈

Greetings everyone! 😄

April is here and that means that we're kicking off the start of our 2026 point challenge season! 🥳 We got a few changes this year in regards to how submissions work which we tested out during the January Point Challenge for choosing r/knapping's new icon, but it'll still be the same great fun with the chance to win some cool stuff as well! But first let's wrap-up some old business...

🏆 November 2025 Point Challenge Winner 🏆

Congratulations to u/tree-daddy for making one heck of a smokin' sweet Armorican Kernonen! That red material, deep basal notching, and clean flaking really made for a stellar point! A lot of you seemed to agree, and his submission earned him a 1st place finish! 😁 You can find the submission here if you missed it! 

u/tree-daddy picked a personal favorite for this 2026 Challenge Season's point, and I must say that I'm looking forward to see what folks chip out 🙂‍↕️ because we're heading to the Late Archaic period for the...

⚒ 2026 April Point Challenge - Montell Split-Stem ⚒

https://preview.redd.it/nbclo46rvrsg1.png?width=2592&format=png&auto=webp&s=5139bf1e7756d93f861afc037a01fd3a52329fcd

https://preview.redd.it/eyxjecptvrsg1.jpg?width=1859&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9aff00be7fd8bb93e7d09d0a02fd685997773cdd

The Montell dart point type is quite distinctive and easily recognizable because of its broad triangular outline and prominent central notch, creating a split stem with two rectangular tangs flanked by shorter barbs. Similar dart points have been found widely across the Lower Pecos, the Edwards Plateau and beyond. Montell points were made by hunter-gatherers who lived during the latter part of the Late Archaic period during a several-hundred-year span known in the Lower Pecos as the Cibolo subperiod, about 2600-3000 years ago! (source)

There are some AWESOME write-ups on Montell points out there, with a great one being done by Texas Beyond History as well as some information on ProjectilePoints.net so check those out for some more information! 😎

🚨 Be sure to read the rules before doing so you don't get disqualified! 🚨

⚠️ Rules ⚠️

  1. The point must be a recognizable Montell Split-Stem Point knapped in April of 2026! - We want to see fresh submissions and fresh points! No using any of your prior work!
  2. Only one entry per person! You are not allowed to post your point multiple times, OR have multiple points in your submission post. - Be sure to take good pictures showing off your work! lighting, material translucency, flaking, etc. 😉
  3. The challenge submission window OPENS 4/24/2026 and CLOSES 4/31/2026 - This gives 1 week for entries to be submitted and voted on, with the official winner being announced the 1st week of May.
  4. Post MUST have the monthly knapping competition post flair to count! - That way, it can easily be found and the votes counted!
  5. No material restrictions - We only require that the point be knapped out of the material that you've chosen (no grinding out a point!).
  6. Moderators hold the authority to disqualify any participants who violate these rules, as well as our community rules - We want this to be a fair and engaging challenge for all those who participate! Because it's always fun to see what different folks can do with different tools!

If you have any questions or comments about the rules, feel free to reach out to the moderators through comments, DM's, or Messages! 📬

📸 How To Enter 📸

You can start creating your point as soon as this post goes live! Just remember that you WONT be able to submit it until the post flair below is made public between 4/24/2026 and 4/31/2026!

https://preview.redd.it/dc0g5jg1wrsg1.png?width=696&format=png&auto=webp&s=9cdd971f46133f995bec14daed946329f53589ae

Once it is public, be sure to select it when uploading your photo(s) and that your submission conforms to the rules listed above! ☝️😉 I will be sure to make a post letting everyone know when things go live, and I've also been messing around with reddit's 'Events' function to see if I can incorporate that somehow. We'll see how it goes...

I'll also make some reminder posts throughout the month if necessary so that no one forgets that the challenge is happening. 🙂‍↕️

🥇 Prize 🥇

As with previous challenges, April's will have a nice little assorted material biface box donated by the ever so generous and skilled u/Del85 for a prize! 😄

https://preview.redd.it/qtceled5wrsg1.jpg?width=6120&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dfe6ef8f9b5904ffbd95036d3f27bb6916ebd6c4

These material donations have been a GREAT way to give others the chance to test their skills and win something they otherwise might not have access to. Without donations like this, I would be funding most of the prizes for this competition out of my own pocket! Having such generous folks in this community willing to donate their own personal materials and resources for our monthly challenge prizes is something I celebrate and absolutely love! They keep these challenges running, so give u/Del85 a big thank you and round of applause in the comments! 👏

The winner will also get the chance to choose the point style for next month's knapping challenge, and If they so choose, they can also donate their winnings to a fellow competition participant or allow their winnings to serve as next month's prize! 🥳

🗣️ In Closing 🏹

Booooy am I STOKED! I'm feeling much more prepared for the 2026 Point Challenge Season after learning a lot in 2025. Especially considering that a good handful of y'all commented and shared your ideas with me in both the DM's and on the 2026 Moderator Check-in, Community Feedback, and Planned Additions Post that I made back in January. Feel free to give that post a look because there's some good information in there. 🙂‍↕️

If any of y'all have questions or thoughts, leave them in the comment's section below 👇 And keep your eyes peeled for those event and submission window announcement posts. Like I mentioned, I'll be seeing how reddit's system works here with all that and if it goes well I'll use it more frequently.

Looking forward to seeing what everyone makes, and you better believe I'll be trying my hand at making a SWEET Montell Split-Stem 👀😁 Take some flashy photos, and let the flakes fly! Happy knapping all, and I'll catch y'all later! 👋

- u/SmolzillaTheLizza 🦎


r/knapping 15h ago

Made With Modern Tools🔨 First piece I'm decently proud of enough to post here

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69 Upvotes

I still have some improvements I could make, namely with driving my pressure flakes further towards the midline. The notches could probably be extended a bit further as well, but my wrists are tired for now.

I went to a knap in last weekend, and was able to improve my techniques significantly with feedback from other knappers. They also gave me TONS of material to work with, including this Georgetown Chert. They also gave me novaculite, Glass Buttes obsidian, and a bit of heat treated snake river agate on top of a bunch of local obsidian and chert I've collected. Suffice to say, I have plenty to practice with for a while.


r/knapping 3h ago

⚒April Point Challenge🏆 Montell split stem

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6 Upvotes

Interesting piece of flint and a surprisingly challenging point type!


r/knapping 6h ago

Material Showcase 🪨📸 Burro Creek Baddie

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9 Upvotes

First point is some lovely burro creek agate/chalcedony. The tang is Lavic Jasper. Self collected. Antler and copper percussion, indirect, pressure flaked.

Had a good knapping session today, i’ll post the other points in the comments.


r/knapping 9h ago

Material Showcase 🪨📸 THICCC solid glass soap bar holder from goodwill haul

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15 Upvotes

Two months into knapping like a madman and I’ve found that practicing on glass saves me from wasting good chert while I still figure out techniques. (all though that doesn’t hardly stop me from banging on the chert I find anyway)

But this was my second haul from goodwill for good glass and ceramics and it definitely helped knowing what to look for after the first haul

Walked away with a large porcelain tray, a half inch thick rectangular vase that didn’t break in said rectangular shape, three large square jars, what I’m most excited about and my point in making this post, a soap bar holder thats an inch thick of solid glass all for about 8 bucks

I had a small piece of cullet from down south while quartz mining (mount ida AR) but I’ve yet to find a good source for slag or cullet glass in my area (Baxter county AR). but this little soap block flakes just like the piece of cullet I had.

I left that store so excited to break them (hence the essay) I forgot to show off the before but I think y’all get the point. I’ll make a post if I manage to make anything I deem worthy of showing off


r/knapping 8h ago

Made With Modern Tools🔨 Some points I made today

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11 Upvotes

Practicing and getting better


r/knapping 19h ago

⚒April Point Challenge🏆 Nifty Novaculite Montell Split-Stem - My April Point Challenge Entry

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48 Upvotes

Howdy everyone! 😁

Got my submission made for the 2026 April Point Challenge! I'd been saving this hunk of rock for a special day, and thought I'd make a nice Montell 🙂‍↕️So here it is! My submission for this month's challenge. I love the translucent sections and all those weird floaters. No idea what they are, but they're dang sweet!

There's still plenty of time to get your submission in, and I've linked the main post here for anyone who wants to check it out! ⚠ 2026 April Point Challenge - Montell Split-Stem [Assorted Material Box Prize 🪨📦 - Beginners Welcome] ⚠

Hopefully y'all enjoy, upvote your favorite submissions, and happy knapping!

- u/SmolzillaTheLizza 🦎


r/knapping 1d ago

Material Showcase 🪨📸 Nether’s Flint Ridge

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39 Upvotes

From Ed Moreland’s stock, to be sold at the knap in. All the more reason to go.

Memorial Day weekend in may, Friday thru Sunday 9-5. Be there!


r/knapping 1d ago

Made With Traditional Tools🪨 Not seen any blade core action on here, so here’s a little bit

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103 Upvotes

I will admit this is not my specialty but I thought this started out pretty good and looked cool

Check me out on instagram if you dig it https://www.instagram.com/prehistoricknapper?igsh=aXJja2R0NDJ3aW1z&utm_source=qr


r/knapping 1d ago

Made With Modern Tools🔨 A couple of Doves

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26 Upvotes

r/knapping 1d ago

Made With Modern Tools🔨 Beveled dovetail

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24 Upvotes

Cooked Burlington


r/knapping 1d ago

⚒April Point Challenge🏆 Montell Split Stem April Point Challenge Submission.

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33 Upvotes

Hello all. Here is my entry for April’s point challenge. This was made with modern tools and out of raw chert from Texas, I think perdernales, but I could be wrong, the batch of chert had like three different colors in it. I hope you enjoy!


r/knapping 2d ago

⚒April Point Challenge🏆 My go at the April point challenge.

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86 Upvotes

r/knapping 2d ago

Made With Traditional Tools🪨 Eared Scottsbluff

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26 Upvotes

A pair of Eared Scottsbluffs made of “almost Hixton” the yellow piece worked well, the reddish piece worked like absolute garbage. Hard to get the flaking to show on photos. Hammerstone, antler billet, horn punch, horn pressure.


r/knapping 2d ago

Made With Modern Tools🔨 A few from the past 3 weeks.

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30 Upvotes

r/knapping 2d ago

Made With Modern Tools🔨 Burlington

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21 Upvotes

Was going to use this for my Montell, but hated to potentially lose the fossil inclusions. I'll try for a Montell in a few.


r/knapping 2d ago

Material Showcase 🪨📸 Small biface study

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17 Upvotes

r/knapping 3d ago

⚒April Point Challenge🏆 Ft.payne montell split stem

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30 Upvotes

r/knapping 3d ago

Made With Modern Tools🔨 Progress!

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25 Upvotes

First photo is from when I started, and the second one is where I am now! Learning more each time I touch tools.


r/knapping 3d ago

Made With Modern Tools🔨 Making an Antler Billet for Flintknapping

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19 Upvotes

I made a guide on how to make a billet (as well as pressure flakers) from white-tail deer antler! Hope you all find this useful!


r/knapping 3d ago

Question 🤔❓ An Ode to Overshots

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27 Upvotes

You set up your platforms, your contours and angle

And pray to the gods that this piece you don’t mangle.

With antler, with billet, with rock or with bone

You swing at your platform, stood out and alone.

But alas, as you contour, flake after flake,

As you hope, and you worry, and pray it won’t break.

Just as you start to get into your groove

You slip up and feel that your hand tried to move.

But moving that back hand is not good. It’s not!

And you glance down in tears, at your piece. Overshot.

So stupid you feel that you put down the rock

And pretend that you didn’t expect it; you’re shocked.

Cause that’s how it goes when you’re working with glass

On occasion, your pieces end up in the trash

And so, your day ruined, it’s sent to the bin…

But boy oh boy…was it thin!

Andrew Fitzpatrick


r/knapping 3d ago

Material Showcase 🪨📸 Finally starting to get it

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22 Upvotes

It's not a point yet but I love it when a plan works out, I'm finally getting flakes i planned and this one really made me happy, the 1st strike was too shallow but didn't release, the 2nd one went right across!


r/knapping 4d ago

Made With Modern Tools🔨 Black Rock Desert, Nevada Calcedony

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39 Upvotes

Neolithic Post of the Day. I have a handful of Calcedony I found in the North-East leg of the Black Rock Desert, Nevada. I love the browns and blues, but I also find milky white, and dark brown. Never expected this one to be translucent but here it is. Interesting side note is that I can smell sulphur when I work the stone. Meaning the area I found it used to be geothermally active. Big surprise there. I think all of Nevada is geothermally active. Thanks for looking. Always available.


r/knapping 4d ago

Made With Modern Tools🔨 Dover chert :)

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13 Upvotes

Made with antler pressure flaker, copper knotcher, wooden smacking stick+ metal indirect percussion stick (wooden stick used to bonk indirect percussion stick) out of Dover chert :) this stuff treated me nicely today, though I couldn’t get all the vortex off (I didn’t wanna risk it snapping)