Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: HoBow on October 03, 2011, 10:33:25 pm

Title: knife question
Post by: HoBow on October 03, 2011, 10:33:25 pm

I have an obsidian knife set in an antler handle. Would this have been a ceremonial piece, a daily knife, or not even a knife that would have been made?  Was obsidian only used in the North West or would it have been traded over much larger distances.  Any info appreciated. Thanks!

Title: Re: knife question
Post by: Pat B on October 04, 2011, 01:06:33 am

A friend found an obsidian blade about 2 miles from Hilton Head Is. SC. No volcanos around there that I know of.  :-\
 Jeff, is your knife an artifact? Got pics?

Title: Re: knife question
Post by: HoBow on October 05, 2011, 09:30:17 am

Pat- I will get a picture of it. It is not an artifact, just a knife I got in a trade a while back. A buddy asked me if it would have been historically accurate and I wasn't sure...

Title: Re: knife question
Post by: YosemiteBen on October 05, 2011, 03:41:11 pm

Mi Chuk from Yosemite! Raining here this am and snow predicted to 6000 feet!
Hafted knives seem to be a thing after European contact. Some earlier knives from california are just pieces of board with different types of blades in them, even bottle glass.  There is Obsidian in Yellowstone that could easily have made it down river in trade.
Only thing hafted before that are atlatl darts, arrows and a "sickle/saw" used for cutting vegetation.
I will see what else I can find for you.
ka la bi (see you next time)