Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: blackpanem on January 08, 2012, 01:22:38 pm
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I started flint knappin about a month ago and im running out of flint. so im wondering where i can get a lot of obsidian that is knapable for not very much money. links and websites would be appreciated!
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I started flint knappin about a month ago and im running out of flint. so im wondering where i can get a lot of obsidian that is knapable for not very much money. links and websites would be appreciated!
Links are against the rules. ;)
I have some obsidian I would trade you. Ill send you a PM.
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If you are looking for obsidian I could send you a flat rate box full if you want to pay shipping. let me know
Josh
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OOOOO....could I get in on that deal? ;D
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Don't forget the box of bandaids on that trade >:D
Tracy
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I work almost exclusively in obsidian and have only gotten one real cut. If you talk nice to it while you work it won't eat so much of you. I have folks that come to Yosemite fairly regularly and they usually bring me stuff. I have even had Rock hounds send me flat rate boxes in the mail. Good luck in your search.
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I just ordered some obsidian off the net...
Some slabs and some raw...
Not sure if I'd know good obsidian from bad yet but will post back after I break it... :)
-gus
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If someone is selling "bad" obsidian they need to be dragged over it! If it has pumice crystals or lots of "micro air" pockets it will be problematic other wise you should be good to go. Good luck.
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Stay away from the Snow flake obsidian, the flakes are ash.
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If you use slabbed snowflake obsidian it will still make a nice point. It is presumed that the snowflake obsidian is the oldest obsidian in the geologic timetable and the flakes are actually crystalline structures that have begun to form in the obsidian matrix. Generally obsidian is a non-crystalline material. Let me see if I can find the snowflake I made and take a pic of it. The only time I end up with "bad" obsidian is when I do not take the time to break it right. It is easy enough to slab if you don't want to waste a lot.
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Stay away from the Snow flake obsidian, the flakes are ash.
Good to know Eddie, thought about buying some recently. Anyone ever tried the slab triangles for hunting points?
Tracy
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Tracy, I have cut a lot of triangles and used them, that is the only kind of points I can make, but snowflake still wont work. As you run flakes they will hit the ash and stop so you can never get a flake to run all the way to the middle.
I have an endless supply of good stuff if anyone wants some.
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Tracy, like Justin said, they work great. Let winter pass here and I'll cut and send you some. No need to buy them. Winter last three days in Florida and then goes back up to 80dgs for a day or two. ::)
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RE: Snowflake obsidian - The flakes in true snowflake obsidian are cristobalite crystals in the obsidian matrix and not ash. I have found ash and pumice pockets in less desirable obsidian but not in the snowflake. Check the Wiki definition of obsidian and other online references for other descriptions.
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Tracy, I have cut a lot of triangles and used them, that is the only kind of points I can make, but snowflake still wont work. As you run flakes they will hit the ash and stop so you can never get a flake to run all the way to the middle.
I have an endless supply of good stuff if anyone wants some.
Justin, I could take you up on that offer...what do you need for a bunch? Do you slab it as well or work from spauls/flakes? Thanks!
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Justin,
If you are making a list, I would like to be on it. :)
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Me too!
I'd gladly pay you Tuesday for some obsidian today :)
And I'd certainly pay shipping!
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Yes Sir!
I'm trying to figure out how to work obsidian as well... :)
Reading back through a search on Obsidian last night I'm guessing I should start with Glass as there's no Obsidian to be found around Houston.
-gus
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Lee, I only know how to knapp slabs, I don't know how to use spauls. Having said that, I don't have access to a saw any more.
Send me a PM if you want some. Im sure we can work something out.
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snowflake can be knapped but it's a bear as the snowflakes tend to be hard, the ol' boy that owns the rock shop here made a real nice point out of some but did say that he didn't like working with it, Bub
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snowflake can be knapped but it's a bear as the snowflakes tend to be hard, the ol' boy that owns the rock shop here made a real nice point out of some but did say that he didn't like working with it, Bub
I guess it depends on how big the ash "snowflake" is. I have seen it knapped, but only when it has very little ash. I have tried some with a moderate amount of ash and it stacks when it hits the ash leaving you with a great big ridge. The ash is usually soft like trying to knapp around cortex or cracks in the rock. No matter how hard you try you cannot get a flake to travel through a crack to the other side. At least I can't, but I already told you Im not a real knapper.
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Great responses. Justin and Eddie, I'm gonna have to go check and see what I got that you might want or need, but would like to try pressure flaking some of those mini slabs. I'll pm you guys later after I check my available resources.
Thanks Tracy
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i'm gonna see if John will let me take a pic of that snowflake point he made, Bub
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A cheap little Tile saw slices obsidian like butter.
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A cheap little Tile saw slices obsidian like butter.
Mullet
Is it big enough to slab some cobles?
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You can cut about 2" with a 4" blade, a little more if you take the safety features off. You can also look for a cheap 10" brick saw. I use my 4" for cutting triangle slabs.
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Do you need to lube the cuts? Oil or Water?
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you can get a little eight inch tile saw from home depot, i got one for 'bout $70.00 like mullet said you can make about a two inch cut, wide enough for a blade, just fill the tray with agua, and if ya buy mook slabs you can cut shapes, heck i've cut triangles out of slabs of brazillian agate, Bub
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Do you need to lube the cuts? Oil or Water?
It depends on what stone you are cutting. Water is fine for obsidian and a few others, but oil is needed for a lot. The oil actually keeps the blade clean, keeping mineral buildup off the cutting edge.