Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
What do you know about obsidian? It's such a cool material, but it's often portrayed in ways that have little to do with reality, especially in video games of course. It's a material I find quite interesting, and flintknapping in general is a skill that I've gained a lot of respect for through practicing it myself.
So let me tell you more about what it is and how it works. I'm also including a little hands-on demonstration of how you shape obsidian (and other knappable materials like flint or chert). It may "only" be Stone Age tech, but it's neither simple nor easy.
*** Image credits ***
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ancient_obsidian_arrowhead_-_Big_Valley,_California_-_19_Oct._2013.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ceremonial_knife,_Mexico,_Alta_Highlands,_Mixtec,_c._1200-1500_AD,_obsidian,_turquoise,_spondylus_shell,_resin_-_De_Young_Museum_-_DSC00408.JPG
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Obsidian_blade_around_one_foot_long-_black,_shiny._Many_visible_knapping_marks._Broken_in_half._(42c6468c-eaa0-44c1-b457-d1fce13d6d3c).jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neolithic_polished_flint_axe_(FindID_410137).jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neolithic_Stone_Axes,_Yue-type.jpg
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
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Merch:
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars):
gamersupps.gg/Skall
I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
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#skallagrim #obsidian #flintknapping #stoneage #history #videogame
What do you know about obsidian? It's such a cool material, but it's often portrayed in ways that have little to do with reality, especially in video games of course. It's a material I find quite interesting, and flintknapping in general is a skill that I've gained a lot of respect for through practicing it myself.
So let me tell you more about what it is and how it works. I'm also including a little hands-on demonstration of how you shape obsidian (and other knappable materials like flint or chert). It may "only" be Stone Age tech, but it's neither simple nor easy.
*** Image credits ***
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ancient_obsidian_arrowhead_-_Big_Valley,_California_-_19_Oct._2013.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ceremonial_knife,_Mexico,_Alta_Highlands,_Mixtec,_c._1200-1500_AD,_obsidian,_turquoise,_spondylus_shell,_resin_-_De_Young_Museum_-_DSC00408.JPG
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Obsidian_blade_around_one_foot_long-_black,_shiny._Many_visible_knapping_marks._Broken_in_half._(42c6468c-eaa0-44c1-b457-d1fce13d6d3c).jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neolithic_polished_flint_axe_(FindID_410137).jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neolithic_Stone_Axes,_Yue-type.jpg
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
patreon.com/skallagrim
youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
Merch:
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars):
gamersupps.gg/Skall
I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
*** Other social media ***
https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.social
facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
instagram.com/skallagrim_yt
#skallagrim #obsidian #flintknapping #stoneage #history #videogame
