Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: bushman on April 02, 2010, 02:13:54 am

Title: Jade Axe Head?
Post by: bushman on April 02, 2010, 02:13:54 am

Does anyone know what type of rock the Natives would have used to polish jade into an axe head shape? Don’t think sand stone would work, I think it would be to soft. Has anyone ever tried to make a jade axe before just by pecking and polishin?
Bushman

Title: Re: Jade Axe Head?
Post by: BIG BAD BRAD on April 02, 2010, 02:43:15 am

TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE THEY DID USE SANDSTONE AND WATER TO GRIND AND POLISH JADE.  JADE IS A FAIRLY SOFT STONE... BUT BECAUSE OF ITS FIBROUS MAKEUP IT IS VERY-VERY TOUGH!
 I WORK A LOT OF JADE AND IT ALWAYS IMPRESSES ME WITH ITS BEAUTY AND TOUGHNESS.

Title: Re: Jade Axe Head?
Post by: cowboy on April 02, 2010, 03:49:50 am

What'd ya say BIG BRAG -  I couldn't quite hear ya, little too quiet there :D. Sorry, don't have a clue bushman - never worked jade.

Title: Re: Jade Axe Head?
Post by: caveman2533 on April 02, 2010, 10:45:43 pm

You can use finely crushed flint flakes to increase the cut of your polishing stone. use a water slurry.
steve

Title: Re: Jade Axe Head?
Post by: stickbender on April 03, 2010, 02:05:16 am

     I think I would stick with what Brad said.  I think the crushed flint would scratch, and scar it.  I would go with sand stone and water.  Maybe a piece of leather on a small board, and wet it, and put the sand stone grit on it to final polish it, maybe some finer sand grains.  Where are you getting your Jade?

                                                                           Wayne

Title: Re: Jade Axe Head?
Post by: bushman on April 05, 2010, 02:20:04 am

Thanks for all of the info, when I find a big piece of jade I will have to give it a try.
Stickbender, I don’t have any jade at the moment that is big enough to make anything with, I found a few little pieces in gravel banks around here. I was just wondering how the Natives made axes out of them.

Title: Re: Jade Axe Head?
Post by: stickbender on April 05, 2010, 03:21:42 am

     Bushman, if you are wanting to stay primitive, I would go with what Brad said.  But if you just want to polish it, There are is a "plethora"  ( that is my big two dollar word for the day ) of polishing matrial out there.  From course, down to ultra fine.  From solid bars, and tubes, to powders. 

                                                                 Wayne

Title: Re: Jade Axe Head?
Post by: bushman on April 09, 2010, 07:45:30 pm

Wayne, I was tryin to stay primitive but I may get some poliching matrial. Thanks
Bushman

Title: Re: Jade Axe Head?
Post by: BIG BAD BRAD on April 11, 2010, 12:21:21 am

DOUGLAS COUNTY OREGON HAS SOME GREAT CARVABLE JADE. IT IS A WHITE/VERY LIGHT GREEN & CAMES IN VERY BIG PIECES. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING IT OUT & CUT DOWN TO USABLE CHUNKS. IT RUNS ABOUT $3 A LB. PLUS SHIPPING , SO IT GETS EXPENSIVE.