Mound Builder Books ~ Products

Books, Videos, and Posters

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The Art of Flint Knapping, by D.C. Waldorf. In print since 1975. It's come to be known as the Flint Knappers Bible. If you are interested in learning how to work flint in the same manner as Prehistoric Man, this book is for you. It covers the basics such as tools, raw materials, percussion, pressure and indirect percussion flaking, as well as advanced theory. The new Fifth Edition has been updated with appendices covering the use of modern tools such as copper billets as well as more on antler pressure flakers. 80 pages, 8 1/2 X 11", softbound. Over 100 illustrations by Val Waldorf. Price is $18. per copy.

Also, see the companion DVD below.

The Art Of Flint Knapping Video Companion DVD. The next best thing to a live knapping demonstration is a video. Here D. C. Waldorf uses his skills to bring to life the techniques illustrated in his book. Both the book and video have become classics but still remain the most powerful stand-alone teaching tools in the business. Digitally re-mastered from the original footage and computer edited, the video can now be viewed as originally conceived with titles linking the scenes to the chapters and figures in the book. [Compatible with the new fifth edition.] Covers raw material processing, working nodules, blocks and slabs to Stage 3, making gunflints, holding positions, billet swing and strike, platform preparation and pressure flaking are discussed while making an Adena point. Also, Clovis fluting by direct percussion, various notching techniques and making a small arrow point. Running time, 1 hour 48 minutes. $25

D.C. Waldorf's High Speed Magnum Copper Boppers. Designed and used by DC "his self." These are weight forward, lead filled copper cap billets with knob ended handles. The handles are relatively short for precise control while the knob lets the user shift his grip much farther toward the end than with other boppers. With this feature the tool can be guided with the forefinger while the knob is held by the middle finger allowing the billet to be "whipped" at a higher speed without loosing accuracy, or having it fly out of your hand! The result is longer flakes in the tougher Baltic, British and Texas flints with the precision control necessary to deal with the softer, more sensitive materials like highly heat treated Burlington chert and obsidian. Set of three includes small 3/4 inch, medium 1 inch, and large 1 1/4 inch sizes which will work for all, but the very largest of preforms. Price, $50 per set.

Replacement caps available: 3/4 inch $2, 1 inch $3, 1 1/4 inch $4.

The Art of Making Primitive Bows and Arrows, by D.C. Waldorf. In this revised edition the secrets of bow and arrow making are revealed, beginning with chapters on theory and terminology, the making of a simple self bow and the tools used. Chapters on bow woods and bow design help the reader choose the wood and type of bow he wishes to make. Working Osage Orange, Yew and advanced techniques including sinew backing are covered thoroughly. Also making bow strings, arrows and quivers. For the price, its the best and most complete book on the market. Softbound, 64 pages, 8 & 1/2 X 11", illustrated with 95 beautiful line drawings by Val Waldorf. $16. per copy.

D.C. Waldorf's Guide to the Flint Daggers of Southern Scandinavia and North Germany. Learn about the Chronology, Typology and Technology of the most complex stone artifacts ever created. This is the first book of its kind written in English. Based on 24 years of study and numerous replications, the technical analysis of how the daggers were made goes far beyond anything that has come before! 8 1/2 X 11, 156 pages, comb bound, featuring 100 original daggers and 24 replicas made by the Author. With hundreds of photos and many fabulous drawings by the Late Val Waldorf. $40 per copy.

Also, see the companion DVD below.

Making The Type IV Danish Dagger With D.C. Waldorf The Making of a Type IV Danish Dagger is not for the timid or unskilled and Waldorf gives it everything he’s got and then some, in an all out attempt to duplicate the feats of his Stone Age ancestors. 1 Hour 55 Minutes. $25.

Can be used as a video companion to D.C.’s New Book. D.C. Waldorf’s Guide to the Flint Daggers of Southern Scandinavian and North Germany, see above.

New Book!

D. C. Waldorf's Guide To The Flint Axes Of Southern Scandinavia And North Germany. Though the text is complete enough that it can stand on its own, this small book was basically designed to serve as a companion to the DVD, Making Danish Square-Sectioned Axes With D.C. Waldorf. Much of material here-in has been distilled from the Waldorf’s un-published Danish files and should help to clarify the picture of the flint technology of Southern Scandinavia before the Dagger Period. It is roughly divided into two parts: a simplified overall view of the prehistory and artifacts before the Late Neolithic, and a detailed description of square-sectioned axes and how they were made. Comb bound, 64 pages, with many never-before-published drawings by the late Val Waldorf. If you have D.C.’s guide to daggers, you’ll definitely want to add this one to your collection. Price, $15

New DVD!

Making Danish Square-Sectioned Axes With D.C. Waldorf. Square-sectioned axes were the technological predecessors of the Type III and IV stitched handled Daggers. For the first time, the highly specialized techniques used in axe manufacture have been recorded on high definition video by Charles Eaton! Also discussed and shown, are Flake Axes, Core Axes, Pointed Butted Axes and the hafting of axes. With short segments covering Cores and Blades, Oblique-Trapezoidal and Transverse Arrow Points, Blade and Tri-sided Arrow Points, and, a not-to-be-missed wood chopping demonstration! Running time, 1 hour, 52 minutes. If you liked D.C.’s Dagger DVD, you won’t want to miss this one! Price, $25.

2 Disc Set!

D.C. Waldorf- Beyond Thrashing & Bashing Flint Knapping: Next Steps DVD. In October of 2007, videographer and interviewer Charles Eaton [Making the Type IV Danish Dagger] made another visit to the workshop of D.C. Waldorf armed with a list of questions that had bothered him and many other beginning to intermediate knappers. To answer these questions, D.C. opened his bag of tools and tricks while the camera was rolling and Charles got his answers! This, first time ever, two disc set is the result of that highly instructive interview. With an up-date on tools and techniques that D.C. now uses to get the most out of his rock supply, this production picks up where the classic Art Of Flint Knapping Video Companion leaves off. Covered are the differences between copper and antler billets, pressure flakers and punches, in what situations they are best used and how to use them to work difficult flakes, and especially, those odd, square edged chunks you thought would never make anything worth while. Watch this video and get the answers to those nagging questions that are keeping you from taking that “next step!” Running time, 3 hour 40 minutes. $30.

Getting Started in Flint Knapping, with D.C. Waldorf. Want to learn a bit about flint knapping but are not sure whether you want to commit yourself fully to the hobby? Not sure about how to get started? This DVD will answer these questions. It begins with a quick demonstration showing the making of a simple projectile point. Core and blade technique is also covered. Tools and materials used as well as resources, and a visit to a knap-in are shown. Running time 1 hour 24 minutes. DVD $20.

Working Obsidian, Adventures in the Scenic Northwest, with D.C. Waldorf. Segments include a stop at Glass Buttes to collect obsidian, then it's off to the Cascade Range to knap a nice point. Includes a section on using sawed slabs, breaking up a monster boulder, and how to use those small chips and irregular chunks. It has lots of good instruction on the nuances of edge preparation and flake removal. Now digitally re-mastered with additional scenic footage, this is one of the most visually stunning knapping videos ever made. Though intended more for the intermediate knapper, beginners will also find it very useful. Running time 1 hour 55 minutes. DVD $25.

The Secrets Of Notching: Thebes Points and their Variants, with D.C. Waldorf. This DVD shows the production of a standard Thebes point, from start to finish, with emphasis on the techniques used for notching this point and the two most prominent variants; the "dog-leg" or Lost Lake types, and the "E-notch." Notching of the these types was done showing a number of tools and techniques, from antler and metal punches, to copper, steel and antler pointed pressure flakers. All shown with extreme close ups. And, these tools and techniques can also be applied to other point types as well! Running time 1 hour 38 minutes. DVD $25.

Novaculite, From Pit to Point. Let D.C. Waldorf teach you about Novaculite. Tour an ancient quarry near Hot Springs, Arkansas and see modern quarrying operations. Learn about the commercial uses of Novaculite for whetstones and flint knapping. Learn how to work this stone with antler billets. Watch as a 11.5" blade is produced where every step is explained in detail. This DVD ends with a gallery of colored Novaculite points made by D.C. Waldorf and his friends. Running time 1 hours 56 minutes. DVD $25.

CHIPS MAGAZINE is published four times a year and was created to serve the flint knapping community with articles on point types, raw material, tools, technical how-tos. Also included are knap-in dates and reports, and advertisements for tools, raw materials and other supplies. In print continuously since 1989, it is the oldest and best publication of its type. Size is 8 & 1/2 by 11" with 24 pages per issue. Subscription rate is $20. for 2007.

THE BEST OF CHIPS, three volumes. These three volumes contain the best technical articles, some prose and poetry, plus the humorous cartoons from 15 years of publication. No advertisements or current news; all the good stuff! How to's, lithic resources, heat treatment, tools, point types and more. Authors include D.C. and Val Waldorf, Larry Scheiber, Dane Martin, Jack Holland and many more. Also includes numerous fine illustrations by Val Waldorf. Comb bound paperbacks.

The Best of Chips, The First Five years. 1989-1993. 88 pages, 60 articles, 27 authors, 17 Scheiber cartoons. $20.

The Best of Chips, The Second Five Years, 1994-1998. 103 pages, 45 articles, 18 authors, plus 24 Scheiber cartoons. $22.

The Best of Chips, The Third Five Years, 1999-2003. 163 pages. 43 articles, 21 authors, plus 20 Scheiber Cartoons. $25.

All for $60.

Also available! All back issues from Vol. 16, 2004 to Vol. 20, 2008 in a convenient comb binding. $20 per volume.

STORY IN STONE: Flint Types Of The Central And Southern US. Illustrated by Val Waldorf with text by D.C. Waldorf. This is the book that launched Val's career as a an illustrator of lithic artifacts. Long out of print, used copies are going for over $100 on Ebay! Now we have a limited supply of original print volumes and are offering them at a very reasonable price! 8 & 1/2 X 11, 240 pages, comb bound, featuring 727 full-size detailed drawings of 208 types. Only $50 per copy. Get yours while they last!

STORY IN STONE 24 by 36 inch wall poster.

Designed by Val, herself, using what she considered to be the best and most typologically representative drawings from the book this magnificent work of art stands alone as one of the most popular items we have ever offered. Story in Stone wall poster is still only $12.

Books, Videos and Posters can be ordered using our printable ORDER FORM PAGE.