THE PLATFORM
-a publication of the Minnesota Knappers Guild-

Editor: Gene Altiere
4329 Peabody Ln.
Duluth, MN 55804

Well, the first annual Minnesota Knap-in is now history. On September 23., 1989 four of our members got together at the Voyageurs Rendezvous held at the Northwest Fur Post in Pine City. Jim Regan displayed some of his beautiful knife blades made of Burlington chert, Tony Romano demonstrated his indirect percussion techniques, Nobel Isley frustrated all of us by letting us try to work some of the gawd-awful chert he brought back from Michigan and Gene Altiere sat there taking it all in and pretending that he knew what he was doing.

We have made preliminary arrangements with the Fur Post to hold the second annual Knap-in sometime next (1990) summer. Most likely it will be in July, we'll let you know as soon as the date is confirmed.

Some of you are aware that this newsletter and the knapping organization is an idea that has been flapping around in the editor's brain for almost two years. Well here is our first effort. The proposed name of the newsletter and the organization are posted above. Let me know what you think.

With the publication of "CHIPS" (see the reading list) we may all now have the type of information we've been starved for here in Minnesota. However, we feel that there is still a need for a regional organization and newsletter. Hopefully we will be able to help the beginner and intermediate - beginner knappers in this state to become aquainted with the resources that are availble. Many of us here in the Northcountry are just beginning
to learn a little about the art. Some of the local fellows are pretty good but every one we have talked to feels that they have a long way to go before they are ready to call themselves an advanced or master knapper.

Eventually, we will have to start charging for the newsletter but for right now the editor will cover the costs out of his pocket and any donations (stamps accepted) anyone would like to make. If you know ANYONE who does any knapping or who may be interested, please send in their name or ask them to write to the editor. If you have any resorces or reading materials that aren't listed in this issue please send them in. If you can fill in data on the reading list (such as price or source for puchase) please send it in.

This issue will be mainly an introduction to the concept of a newsletter and organization for those interested in knapping and to share some basic information that has been supplied mostly by Jim Regan, Dan & Frank Bera and Tony Romano. Future newsletters could carry reader submitted articles, adds, announcements, editorials etc. Get your creative juices flowing!


Gene Altiere, Editor
The Platform
4329 Peabody Lane
Duluth, MN 55804