Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: gstoneberg on August 05, 2011, 01:49:25 am
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Made a point over the last couple days. The granddaughter is visiting and my time's at a premium. My thinning still is weak, as is my notching. But, in the end I did get a point. It's a stout little bugger.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6022/6010650730_838d121249_z.jpg)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/6010084375_3b19d74596_z.jpg)
The spall had some ridges running point to base on one side and I never got a flake to drive through them or could reach them from the ends. Stalled one notch right away, so did the other one short to match. O well, it was still a fun point.
George
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That's a very nice point. I don't know if it will help, but after the initial thinning " percussion" I hit the high spots on the blank before I lay out the point . This is when I try to remove any troubled spots. Try to lay it out so you can break the back ( so to speak) of any ridges . It's what I do but others may have their own ways. Hope it helps. Again I like the point.
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I think I understand, thanks. This point was like most of mine, seems I fight problems from the first hit to the last. I whacked off about a half inch of the spall on about the third hit. I almost pitched it then. That left the base, the tip and one side with square edges. I was pretty tired of doing that zig zag edge work by the time I made it 3/4 of the way around. Slabs would drive me crazy. Then I concentrated on thinning the tip instead of setting up to get those ridges. I guess I assumed I could get them from the side but that was a bad assumption.
Sometime I'd like to drive down and watch you do some notching. I stink at it and could use some instruction.
George
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Dang george, that is a pretty nice point! 8) I'd put that one on an arrow and stick a hog! ;)
Wayne
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8)
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Good looking point! Looks like it'll attach to any shaft I ever use. I struggle with notching also and can appreciate those that can notch well. Really like the material- ? kind
Tracy
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Thanks Tracy. All my rock is Texas flint, some is gray and some root beer. There are probably more accurate names. :) Well, I've also got some obsidian and I don't know where that came from. People have been kind to me with rock, the flint came already heat treated. I tried a raw one the other day, wow you have to hit that stuff hard! We have some flint at the deer lease, but there's lots more further S of Dallas. Cipriano found a bunch. Next time he goes for rock I might try and go with him. There are many advantages to living in Texas, the flint and pigs to poke with it being a couple of my favorite reasons. ;)
I am dressed and ready to go out and hit some rock this morning, but our daughter just called from the Philippines and I've been staying inside.
George
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Good point George! That's either georgetown or some other kind of perd that's been heated by the looks of it. One of these days we will connect. Seems like any of my time is at a premium these days. At work now but it's not bad seeing as how my camper is parked at Pappy's place :).
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You dog! I'm envious. What a nice place to go to at the end of a long workday. :)
We'll make contact sometime. In the meantime I'll keep workin at it. Well, today I'm sidetracked trying to hack out a quick bow. Maybe tonight when it cools down a little.
George
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Well, a good friend called and needed somebody to talk to. I set a couple chairs in the shade on the tarp and chipped out a couple more points. The first one I nearly gave up on, but kept after it and got a bird point. The second point had a beautiful swirl of cream in root beer. I worked hard to keep some of it. Had a couple flakes shoot too far (that's a funny twist) but I still like the way it looks. I'll send the small point home with Ken, he's a good friend.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/6015900804_5a1e14db65_z.jpg)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6002/6015350849_300492a2d9_z.jpg)
George
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I love those colors. Texas flint? Nice points they need to be hafted.
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Well, maybe I'm wrong? Patrick, I got that rock from you. I assumed it was local? It really had a beautiful cortex on it. Wish I'd taken a picture of the spall. I'll check to see if I have another chunk of it.
George
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George, all that heat treated stone is Edwards plateau chert. Many different varieties in there including rootbeer, pedernales, etc. All of it got darker with heat. Very glassy stuff.
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That top point is awesome George! I'm starting to love swirls and diff colors in rocks vs solid colors. We went on a little rock run here at Pappy's today for some creek chert - actually found some decent stuff.