knap

Shape stone by striking

To knap is to shape stone by striking it with another stone or tool, chipping away flakes to create a sharp edge.

The technique is ancient—used to make arrowheads, hand axes, and blades: He learned to knap flint into functional tools.

Knapping remains practiced by archaeologists, survivalists, and hobbyists recreating prehistoric methods.

flintknapping

flint

Spark-producing sedimentary rock

  • chertFine-grained siliceous stone
  • handaxeKnapped stone implement
  • coreCentral essential portion

preform · lithic · percussion · knapper · cortex · flake · blade · reduction · conchoidal · toolmaking

sound

snap

Sudden sharp sound

  • crackNarrow break or attempt
  • clickBrief sharp noise
  • tapValve controlling liquid flow

rap · knock · chip · strike · sharp · brittle · break

hill

knoll

Small rounded hill

elevation · ridge · tor · crest · rise · hummock · butte · kopje · prominence · outcrop

Opposites
stone-working technique

knapgrind

Crush into particles

polish · carve · abrade · sand · hone

material processing action

knapsmooth

Without roughness or difficulty

fuse · weld · melt · join · mend

Family

knapsack, knapping, knapped

Familiarity
Top 1,000,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G