Stone, wood, bone or antlers are traditional tools used for knapping flint. However, in more modern times people have sometimes used metal tools with great success.
Flint knapping is very old and goes back to cavemen and predates metalworking. However, most people in the United States associate it with Native Americans who used it in making their arrowheads, knives, axes and other tools.
Hard hits are used when making large pieces come off the rock, while softer hits are more precise. To be even more exact, a practice called pressure flaking is used to for extreme details, such as edges. This is done by applying pressure instead of hitting.
Flint is not the only kind of rock that can be knapped. Obsidian, agate, jasper and other stones can also be used.
Some people still practice flint knapping as a hobby. Many outdoors enthusiast learn knapping as a survival skill.