David Koether shapes small pieces of solid rock to create arrowheads which makes him a knapper. After finding a couple of arrowheads on land that he and his wife, Gesine, own northeast of La Grange, Texas, he had the urge to search for others. However, most property in Texas is privately owned and trespassing is prohibited by law.
“So I decided that I’d make my own,” explains the retired oilfield industry machinist from Houston.
That’s how he became interested in knapping.
Gaining knapping know-how
David started by watching how-to-knap YouTube videos in 2015. He picked up the cheapest and readily available rock he could find to practice the techniques demonstrated. But the stones on their driveway were bull rock and working with them was so frustrating that David almost quit before he really began.
“I didn’t know I was knapping the hardest rock known to man until I watched a YouTube video that mentioned that not all rock is created equal. I thought rock was rock. This guy explained that even a caveman could make arrowheads with the right rock. I was using the wrong rock.”
Abundant South Central Texas rocks are not the quality of those in the San Antonio-Austin area. David soon learned that rock from the Texas Hill Country such as Georgetown or Pedernales was highly desirable. In fact, David says Pedernales in Spanish means Flint River. Texas Hill Country rock that he finds supplies at specialty stores or online has made all the difference in his success.
David also experimented with knapping wine and beer bottles with surprisingly pleasing results. He also got many painful glass cuts in doing so.
Taking his own sweet time
When he started knapping, David would spend all day chipping away on one arrowhead until its lines were straight, its thickness pleasing and its edges sharp. Although he lost sight of one eye when he was a child, he manages the close-up, tedious work with no problem.
“Now, if the angels are with me and it’s going my way, it can take me anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. You have to listen and look at the rock, though. You don’t know what it’s going to be until when it’s finished and you drop it into your pocket. Until then, it’s just another rock.”
David estimates it has taken him somewhere between three and five years to hone his skill. He doesn’t sell the arrowheads that he makes.
“This is not a hurry, hurry activity. Rushing would take the pleasure out of it,” he says. David is content to expand his stunning collection while also sharing some of his creations with family and friends.
“Ethically, every arrowhead that I make and give away should be signed or etched with my initials,” adds David, who has no interest in misrepresenting his creations.
“David is very self-critical,” says his wife, Gesine. “He’s always saying he can do better or find better rock.”
the fragments of this preform that broke.
Disposing of the byproduct
David is in awe of the Native Americans’ artifacts that demonstrate their skill in creating tools they used for hunting. That’s why he is careful not to dump the small, sharp byflakes from his knapping on the gravel road into their place. He wants to ensure that an arrowhead hunter in the distant future doesn’t get excited at the prospect of having found traces of an actual American Indian knapping site.
“I’ll put a penny or piece of metal on my pile that would quickly dispel that idea. If someone ever comes across it, they’ll know right away, it was just some 21st-century guy who liked knapping,” David explains.
Knapping also satisfies a fantasy David had as a youngster growing up in Melbourne, Florida.
“As a little boy, I wanted to be a pirate and find gold doubloons along the coast. That never happened and that desire sort of slipped my mind when I grew up. So now in retirement, I’m making treasures of a different kind.”
Knapping arrowheads is rewarding
New finds of ancient arrowheads still are being made. Enthusiasts’ go-to information source is Overstreet Indian Arrowheads Identification and Price Guide, which is updated annually. While some arrowheads pictured in the book are worth a great deal of money that’s not what intrigues David.
His interest is in their history.
“Just the thought of finding an artifact that another human being made 10,000 or 15,000 years ago is exciting,” David says. “The hide rotted away, the glue rotted away, the stick on the arrow rotted away, but you’re holding the stone in your hand. Just think about that.”
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Isn’t David’s hobby fascinating? Rather than pursuing knapping to make money, he derives satisfaction from increasing his skill and gaining a deeper appreciation for our country’s aboriginal history.
I look forward to your comments and hope you’ll forward this post to your friends who might enjoy it, too. Thanks for reading!
Other posts about Texas:
- Pink Ladies Packed a Vintage Cookbook with TLC - September 15, 2023
- “Don’t Forget Your Hanky” - August 18, 2023
- Want to Know a Secret? - July 10, 2023
Thank you Elaine for this. It is nice to see his knapping talent put into words.
Very interesting. I’m going to forward this one to my soon-to-be-son-in-law who is an arrowhead enthusiast.
Yes, David’s hobby is very interesting. I had no idea until his wife, Gesine, mentioned it to me. Then I wanted to know more! David was happy to share what he has learned.
Gesine, I knew readers would enjoy learning about David’s hobby and his pursuit of excellence. We admire his dedication!
What some folks are inspired to do continually amazes me. You do a great job ferreting out those with uncommon interests.
Thanks, Linda. David’s hobby fascinates me. I’m glad it was meaningful to you, too!
Great story. Very talented guy. He does beautiful work. Rick does not knap but he collects arrowheads he sometimes finds on his dozer job locations. He and I love to hunt arrowheads. He has a pretty nice collection. I have one my daddy found on the same hill where we built our new home.
Laurie, I think Rick and David would have a great time comparing notes. With all the dirt that Rick moves in his business, it’s wonderful that he keeps an eye out for those treasures that others who were less observant would miss.
He is not only a fantastic knapper… he is the smartest, most fantastic, most wonderful dad in the world!!!! Love ya Dad!!!! (Jodee ☻ )
Hi Jodee! Thanks for giving us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of this fine man who also is your father. Your Mom is great too!
Please forward my information to David Koether. I am in North Fayette County and have successfully made and hunted with flint arrowheads in my youth. I think David would enjoy visiting with me. Thanks! Mike
Mike, I’ll be happy to give your contact information to David. I bet you two will enjoy talking knapping! Thanks for writing.
What an amazing hobby. That was so interesting.
Thanks for your comments all the way from Australia! David will be delighted to hear that his hobby was of great interest to you.
I have learned something new today. I have never heard the term “knapping”. My husband had an arrowhead collection found by a great uncle in Mississippi. I can now appreciate them even more. I was amazed to hear he could create these so quickly!
Brenda, I’m with you! I was unfamiliar with the term knapping, as well. In fact, I had to ask Gesine how to spell it before I could do more research. I’m always amazed by people who have such a desire to learn a new skill that they just keep working on developing their ability.
Who Knew? This is the first I’ve ever heard of this hobby. It makes great jewelry.
Yes, it does! Each piece is unique.