When you arrive at a large knap-in, the first thing you will notice is the sound of other flintknappers breaking rock (music to my ears!!). You'll see teepees, and vendor tents all over. A closer look will reveal that under those vendor tents are usually knappers showing, and selling their products as well as raw materials such as flint, chert, and obsidian. As you walk around you will see other primitive crafts, smell sage grass incense and other smells of food cooking and tanned leather. You will see knappers gathered in small groups knapping and talking, while others knap in two's or even three's under there vender tents in order to tend their wares that they are selling. There is so much to see, hear, and experience at a knap-in, that just walking around one is a life long memory.
Knap-ins are a great place to make new knapping friends and to buy the supplies you need. You'll find every kind of knapable stone available for sale, all kinds of tools, and many different types of teaching aides such as books and videos. I usually spend the entire first morning of attending the Letchworth Knap-in buying rock to replenish my supply. It's helpful to take an inventory of what you NEED before leaving home, so that you get that first, then there will be plenty of time to buy the rock and tools you WANT.
There will also be special events at knap-ins such as Oooga Booga, Ten-Speed competitions, and the auction on the last day. Oooga Booga is..............................well, it's a secret, so you'll have to attend a cerimony to see what it's all about. The Ten-Speed competition is where a group of knappers gather in a circle with each one bringing a rather difficult piece of rock (some knappers bring good rock too) to throw in the middle. Each rock is numbered and each knapper draws a number to receive a rock. The knappers then have ten minutes to make the best point they can out of the rock whose number they picked. This is quite a challenge, but is a lot of fun to watch and participate in. The resulting points, or what the knapper calls a point, are then auctioned off to raise money to cover the cost of hosting the knap-in. On the last day of the knap-in there is usually an auction where knappers and vendors donate items that anyone can bid on. These are always entertaining and a great opportunity to take home some great works of art from talented knappers.
The only downside to a knap-in, is saying goodbye to all your knapping friends and new friends. I've just glossed over what goes on at knap-ins, so to understand how fun and great they are, you'll just have to attend one. If you see me at a knap-in, come up and say hello. I'll break rock with just about anyone, and especially like helping new knappers.