Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: gstoneberg on June 19, 2011, 04:49:15 pm

Title: Trying Again...
Post by: gstoneberg on June 19, 2011, 04:49:15 pm
I'm still trying to create a point good enough to hunt with.  It was really beneficial to get help from Patrick when we had our get-together.  The top 5 points I made out there with him.  I got some more time and tried again yesterday.  It seems that most every point goes one of 2 ways.  I start OK and even do some nice thinning flakes until I'm getting close to what I want, then I mis-hit and get a step, followed by more mis-hits and before you can say "oops" there's a big flat spot where the edge used to be.  Or, I mess up the angle on my thinning flakes and end up with a nice hump out in the middle I can't do anything with.  It's insanely frustrating...and insanely fun at the same time.  Anyway, in the 2 pictures the row of 5 I made out at Cross Plains with Patrick and the bottom 3 are from yesterday.  I need another training session, but until then much rock will pay the ultimate price. ;)

George

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/5849129245_536eebd03d_z.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2533/5849129267_6f512260c7_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: cowboy on June 19, 2011, 05:49:27 pm
Them look good George! I've seen plenty of artifacts that look exactly the same. All you need is tonnage and some more sit down's with folks. Man, I hope we can get together!
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: crooketarrow on June 19, 2011, 06:14:38 pm
  I agree with cowboy those are good starts. It only takes practice you'll see.
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: gstoneberg on June 19, 2011, 11:56:02 pm
Thanks. :) 

Wahoo, I had a great Father's day worth of knapping!  Only tried 2 spalls and got 2 points and I think I can hunt with these.

George

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/5850642107_91505f6f60_z.jpg)

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5152/5851194710_b8fb73d94f_z.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/5851194458_891fc2106f_z.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/5850643117_334d45a806_z.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2764/5850643143_cf603c07fb_z.jpg)

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/5851195322_92d724b17c_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: cowboy on June 20, 2011, 09:48:57 am
Yep, i think them will hunt - overnight success ;D.
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: Tower on June 20, 2011, 10:02:58 am
Yer gettin a good start. When I first started knapping mine were not that good.Keep knapping & and they will get better. Remember centerline, abrasion, stabilize your point, & don't be scared to break it. It's just a rock until it's finished. Good job on your points.
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: crooketarrow on June 20, 2011, 10:51:02 am
   Good job there huntable.
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: JackCrafty on June 20, 2011, 01:17:47 pm
Wow!  Sweet!  :)
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: bubby on June 20, 2011, 09:52:09 pm
look pretty nice to me, Bub
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: gstoneberg on June 21, 2011, 12:58:16 am
Thanks guys.  I played some more tonight (instead of doing the mowing I should have been doing :) ).  Broke 2 and finally got 2 that might work.  They fought me all the way though.  The one on the left is 7/8" wide, right at the minimum.

George

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/5855367246_c94fecfc7c_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: iowabow on June 21, 2011, 10:09:08 am
You are doing great.  You might find some very interesting videos on youtube.  One guy you should look at is paleomanjim.  He gives blow by blow demostrations in short 10min sessions.  I really learned a lot from him and I did like you are by posting my work for comments and incorporating suggestion into my technique. Dido what tower said above. Also I wrote a post back in jan that had links to two article that discused biface reduction that I found the articles very interesting.  I ill look and see if I can find a link for you.
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: iowabow on June 21, 2011, 10:20:20 am
Ok here is the link look for the pdf at the top of the first page
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,23715.0.html (http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,23715.0.html)
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: AncientArcher76 on June 21, 2011, 09:28:06 pm
Looks Mesolithic!  U would be suprised whats some of the points looked like that killed some pretty big critters!  Keep it up I still am a Newb.

Russ
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: gstoneberg on June 21, 2011, 10:11:59 pm
Thanks guys.  Iowa, those PDF links don't work anymore.  Too bad.  I've watched most of paleomanjim's and AllergicHobbit's  video's.  Thinning is my challenge but it's coming.  I'm having so much fun, I really can't believe it.  The guy who sits in the office with me at work has asked for lessons.  How funny is that? :o  Making bows didn't interest him, but he's intrigued with the knapping.  Gotta love it.

George
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: mullet on June 21, 2011, 11:37:45 pm
Those are looking good, George. Now you need to take the glove off and bleed some. ;D ;)
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: iowabow on June 22, 2011, 11:11:29 am
hehe thats funny :)
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: gstoneberg on June 22, 2011, 01:30:22 pm
Why do you think I bought the gloves?  ;D
Title: Re: Trying Again...
Post by: iowabow on June 22, 2011, 01:33:08 pm
I do use a glove (on the left hand) when reducing large rocks into simple bifaces. I can't use a glove when making points becasue it causes the piece to slip in my hand but that maybe just me.