Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: gstoneberg on January 14, 2012, 10:27:47 pm
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Almost got a nice point today. Really thin spall and coretex over one whole side with some concavity. Felt lucky to get a point, but there's an obnoxious coretex island on one side. I've tried most everything. Don't know how to get stuff like this off. I run flakes right up to it and then it steps every time. :'(
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6697842953_e0e0b30241_z.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6697843549_672b0f5f78_z.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6697844007_ffc66856a6_z.jpg)
George
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A punch? :P
Wayne
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I know I have no business posting here, but what about grinding so that the steps and hinges smooth out? Then drive a new chip across that?
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Looks like you can lower the edge towards the stack and set up a platform to send a flake under the stack. Point would get narrower,but looks like you got some to work with. Just a suggestion, good luck.
Tracy
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I've tried that a couple times already, but I'm sure you're right. For some reason the flakes don't want to go under it very bad. It is still a big point so I can make it smaller. Looking at it I think I'll shorten it from the point end, bringing the stack closer to the edge. Maybe I can knock it off. Thanks. George
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I'm not a knapper.
I have done some wood and stone sculpture and my approach would be to cut a slot in the end grain of a log to hold the head secure.. then use a punch or chissel and seat it on the step and try to push it off like that.
Just a guess.
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If you shorten from the base, might be able to work it like a flute and remove it from the base instead of the side. Been plagued with this problem on many of my hornstone spalls w/cortex
Tracy
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just put some notches in,The deer will never know about cortex.hee hee!
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PB, that's an interesting thought, I just might try that.
Tracy, there's still a little curve in the point at the base towards the other side. It doesn't want to flute at all, at least not so far. You're right though, if I shorten the base about an eighth and turn the edge that way it's worth a try.
I know bareshaft, but it'd bother me forever. OCD stinks sometimes. Woke up in the middle of the night thinking about working on it some more. Good grief. Think I'll watch Patrick's new videos, he makes it look so easy. This afternoon I'll take another whack at it.
George
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Still looks way better than the reasl ones I pick up.
I've move the edge up to wards the steps and the next row make you flakes bigger deeper this way your flakes go under and pass the steps. I've also found that when the ridge line up to where the ridge lines on the front part or the step. So that that first flake when you come up to the step won't take the step off with one big flake.This sometimes works for me with good chert or osiden. Not even sure if that makes any sence.
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Just call it "Cortex Enhanced" and call it good. Otherwise your only option is to grind and polish those islands.
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yup , what pat said
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Didn't check the comments before I took a stab at removing it. I was busy watching Patrick videos and getting motivated. Should've checked...
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6702713805_4f9781902f_z.jpg)
I wished i'd have notched it and called it good. :'(
George
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Looks like mine when I think I am finally going to get a decent sized blade, I end up with two arrow heads. :( :'( Only I usually don't get quite that far. :P Sorry to see that, but it goes with the territory. ;) It was a nice looking point.
Wayne
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Well, I went back and knocked a couple spalls into gravel to take out my frustrations. Finally got a point on about the third try. 110 grains.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6703897937_ffc27aac56_z.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6703898867_4f54760f1b_z.jpg)
Had one nice thin notch but had to open it up after I stalled the other one early and had to widen it to get going at all. At least I didn't knock the corner off. :D
George
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Nice work on that last one. Too bad about the other one. If you are regularly breaking them at that stage you are probably putting a death grip on the point. Don't place your fingers on the top of the piece. Support them on the far edge just hard enough to keep it in place
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Yea, I felt it break so I probably did hold it wrong. Thanks, I'll do that differently. Unusual for me to have a point that long.
George
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I know the feeling I have a quart jar full of points that did'nt make it. As well as a 300 year old white oak that has many, many around the base if I don't get mad and wing them across the field. I just keep moveing forward I think.
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When I'm skinnin a point(cortex) if I don't remove all of it in the early stages I remove enough width to take it in 1 or 2 blows. Start with enough width to accommodate this. Its my method & I have good results. KNAP-ON!
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One of my problems is that I'm so inconsistent. One hit I'll knock off a whole bunch of it. The next one won't go near as far and leaves a bunch of coretex in the middle. Then when I finally get a good platform, I botch the flake and step it or crush it. Pretty soon I have an island like that. I'll get it, just need more experience. Thanks for the help.
George