Coyote Hills Flintknappers

Monthly Get-Together Knapping Session

The Coyote Hills Flintknappers is a knapping get-together of flintknappers who like to flake stones, learn from each other, trade for materials, socialize and meet fellow knappers. The knapping get-together is open to beginners, intermediate and advanced flintknappers. Anyone who is interested in learning the skill of making stone tools is more than welcome. We will meet one day in every month. Check this webpage for monthly dates.

Update on the February 28 knapping get-together:
Eight people attended the February knapping session. Four of the participants were students from the Anthropology Department at San Francisco State College. Newcomers David and Richard stopped by later to chat about wilderness survival skills. Long time knapper, Mark, helped some of the beginners with flintknapping tips and flakng techniques. A curious bystander at the park stopped by to observe the knapping session. Knapping basics were discussed and demonstrated for the beginning knappers. Everyone worked on their obsidian cobbles and spalls, while basking in the sunny weather. Alas, 3:00 came too soon and everyone began packing up after an enjoyable day of bashing rocks.

Here is the information for the next Coyote Hills Flintknappers get-together:

DATE: March 20, 2010 (Saturday)
TIME: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
LOCATION: Karl Nordvik Park, 5850 Commerce Dr, Fremont, CA 94555
The park is on the corner of Commerce Dr. and Ardenwood Blvd. We will be located near the children's swings, under a pine tree. Parking is free.
If it rains, then the location will be at Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area, 2100 Isherwood Way, Fremont, CA 94536 (we'll meet at the South Ensenada pavilion) - $5.00 parking fee per vehicle. I will inform everyone if we switch to Quarry Lakes. Check this webpage the night before the get-together for any last minute changes.
INFORMATION: Contact Dino Labiste via e-mail for any questions at kahikoarts@yahoo.com

DIRECTIONS TO KARL NORDVIK PARK:
Heading I-880 south, take the Decoto/Dumbarton Bridge/84 exit near Fremont. Turn right onto Highway 84 headed west. Take the Ardenwood Blvd./Newark Blvd. exit. Turn right at the end of the exit. When you get to the cross street called Commerce Dr., turn right (the park is on the corner). Park in the parking lot closest to the restrooms. Look for the children's swings, past the restrooms. We will be under a pine tree near the swings.
Heading I-880 north, take the Decoto Rd. exit near Fremont. Turn left, headed west. Take the Ardenwood Blvd./Newark Blvd. exit. Turn right at the end of the exit. When you get to the cross street called Commerce Dr., turn right (the park is on the corner). Park in the parking lot closest to the restrooms. Look for the children's swings, past the restrooms. We will be under a pine tree near the swings.
Coming from the Dumbarton Bridge, headed towards Fremont, take the Newark Blvd./Ardenwood Blvd. exit. Turn left at the end of the exit. When you get to the cross street called Commerce Dr., turn right (the park is on the corner). Park in the parking lot closest to the restrooms. Look for the children's swings, past the restrooms. We will be under a pine tree near the swings.

WHAT TO BRING:
1. Bring your knapping tools and stones to work on.
2. Bring safety gear, like leather gloves, safety goggles, leather pads, etc. I will bring a few knapping tools and safety gear for the beginners who are there for the first time. I’ll also have spalls for beginners to work on.
3. Do not wear shorts. Dress in long pants. Do not wear slippers, open-toed shoes or sandals. Wear shoes that cover your entire feet.
4. Bring a bucket or chair to sit on.
5. Dress for the weather.
6. Bring a lunch and a water bottle. There are good places to eat nearby, if you decide to go out for lunch.
7. If you have a large plastic tarp that you would like to bring to the knapping session, we can use it to cover the ground. Just be aware that your tarp might acquire small holes from all the obsidian and chert flakes. I have a large tarp that I will bring.

NOTE: This knapping get-together is not sponsored by any park, organization or individual. This is a get-together of fellow knappers. Every person is responsible for any injuries they incur. Cuts from sharp flakes are possible. You are responsible for your own actions. So, be safe when handling obsidian, flint, chert or any glass-like stone. Protect yourself and use common sense.

The Coyote Hills Flintknappers get-together is open to the public. There is no fee to attend. Come and work on your lithic project or practice the art of flintknapping and learn from other fellow knappers.

If you are a beginner and will be attending the knapping get-together for the first time, let me know via e-mail whether you will need to borrow knapping tools and safety gear. If you want, I'll add your e-mail address to the Coyote Hills Flintknappers list for the next monthly knapping get-together dates.
If you don't want to receive any Coyote Hills Flintknappers e-mail notices, let me know and I'll take your e-mail address off the Coyote Hills Flintknappers list.

Hope to see y'all there,
Dino Labiste
kahikoarts@yahoo.com

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