Spalled some

[Allyn T]

I was finally able to spall some of the rock I picked up about a month ago, I still have a ton left but it's hard to find the time. This was a great learning experience for me and I'm glad I was able to do it. The clear/purple crystal is super hard and wanted to splinter and break at right angles all the time to that was tough, made a lot of gravel out of that stuff. When it held together it made razor sharp flakes and sometimes had red in it too. I also was able to get some great spalls off of some cream calico looking stone that broke very well. That was almost like blade production I was able to just keep working from one face knocking off big flakes or spalls. The dark red stuff is top grade chert and I only worked one stone but it was a dream, I got my biggest pieces from that. I did break off the back 1/4 of that red core so that hurt but I learned. Here's some pics, it was almost dark when I stopped.

[bjrogg]

Looks like you should be able to get something from those.
Might help giving them a little cooking time.

Make sure you and the little guy have eye protection.

Bjrogg

[Allyn T]

Looks like you should be able to get something from those.
Might help giving them a little cooking time.

Make sure you and the little guy have eye protection.

Bjrogg

I always wear safety glasses when I Knapp, and he loves rocks but I don't Knapp when he is awake so he is safe. He did put on gloves and help me clean up the next morning : )

[mullet]

You won't crumble and make as much gravel if you use a softer basher instead of the steel hammer. The steel is too hard and sends shock waves to fast into the stone. Try a rock, moose billet or heavy copper bopper or hammer. And it looks like some of it could use a little heat treating.

[Allyn T]

You won't crumble and make as much gravel if you use a softer basher instead of the steel hammer. The steel is too hard and sends shock waves to fast into the stone. Try a rock, moose billet or heavy copper bopper or hammer. And it looks like some of it could use a little heat treating.

I can't afford a 10lbs copper hammer lol, I was just using the steel her to try and crack into that big ol rock. It ended up falling apart at different weather seams running through it, then I switched to sandstone hammer. I wish I had some big antler billets, they are on my "someday" list. From what I understand the bigger the piece the more likely to explode, so would I spall it first or should I pop a 5-10lbs chunk in the roaster?

[mullet]

You wil have better results if you spall it. heating large rocks is doable but time consuming and reheating as you reduce it in size.