Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: Gus on February 02, 2012, 02:53:08 pm

Title: Ryolite
Post by: Gus on February 02, 2012, 02:53:08 pm: West Texas Ryolite.

Well I tried heat treating it several different ways with no success.
Turkey roaster at 450F for 20 hours
In the oven at 500F for 15 hours.
In sand with a fire built over it for 10 or so hours.

Then did some deep searching and it looks like this type Ryolite doesn't like the heat I have to offer.

So I figured if I can't cook it, I'll just hit it harder. :)
Finally beginning to have a little success working it.
I've got a long way to go, but least they are beginning to look like points... kinda. :)

(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/augustus1967/P2010001.jpg)
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/augustus1967/P2010002.jpg)

Thanks for looking!

-gus
Title: Re: Ryolite
Post by: Bevan R. on February 02, 2012, 03:21:46 pm: Send a piece to mullet. Have him throw it in the kiln he just got when he does another batch.
Title: Re: Ryolite
Post by: blackhawk on February 02, 2012, 03:28:36 pm: I don't think heat is gonna help ya out much there....just keep swinging for the fences son. :laugh:
Title: Re: Ryolite
Post by: Gus on February 02, 2012, 03:43:32 pm: Haven't had much luck pressure flaking it.
So I started using a Punch/Indirect Percussion on it.
I'm past heat treating it.

An interesting thing about the rock this flake came from, about a thirty pounder, it rang like a fine bell or an anvil when struck.
I though that was pretty cool. :)

-gus
Title: Re: Ryolite
Post by: Sparrow on February 02, 2012, 04:14:43 pm: Know what you mean,There is a slope of stone over in Montana that when you kick into the top of the slide and get it going.it sounds like bells tumbling downhill. Good rock,but tough. ' Frank
Title: Re: Ryolite
Post by: cowboy on February 03, 2012, 04:38:39 pm: That does look like one tough customer!
Title: Re: Ryolite
Post by: gstoneberg on February 03, 2012, 07:06:10 pm: Uh-oh, I have quite a bit of that. I was hoping heating it would make it more workable. I'm going to have to try a big ball-peen hammer to spall it. My heavy copper pipe doesn't touch it.

George
Title: Re: Ryolite
Post by: criveraville on February 03, 2012, 07:16:11 pm: Gus is that the stuff I gave you?

Cipriano
Title: Re: Ryolite
Post by: Bevan R. on February 03, 2012, 07:20:41 pm: Quote from: gstoneberg on February 03, 2012, 07:06:10 pm
My heavy copper pipe doesn't touch it.

How about a 30/30 >:D
Title: Re: Ryolite
Post by: mullet on February 03, 2012, 09:01:37 pm: Where did you find that Leaverite? Heat won't help that.
Title: Re: Ryolite
Post by: Tower on February 03, 2012, 09:08:54 pm: Dad gumit Gus, I didn't know concrete was knappable. That looks like a tool eater. You did a fine job w/it.
Title: Re: Ryolite
Post by: Stiks-N-Strings on February 04, 2012, 02:12:44 am: I spent a little time with James parker last wing and was breaking rhyolite with a dogwood billet. He told me you would beat yorself to death with anything else.

I'm no flint napper by any means but I think James knows just a little bit about it.
Title: Re: Ryolite
Post by: mullet on February 04, 2012, 11:27:48 pm: I've argued with James over that. :) I've watched Claude Van Order work Ryolite with a copper bopper while talking to a group of people and make a paper thin point look easy. I have a fluted point he made from Argelite that he hand fluted, while talking with everybody at the Dade City knap-Inn.
Title: Re: Ryolite
Post by: Gus on February 06, 2012, 01:52:03 pm: Thank You Fells...

Cipriano, Yes Sir that is the stuff.

Had a chance to sit with George this past Saturday, after Osage Cutting.
He showed me a few new processes that are AWESOME!!!!!
Look forward to trying some indirect percussion on this stuff to see if I can get it to thin a little more.
He also sent me home with a handfull of heat treated rock to play with.

Thank You George!!! :)

-gus
Title: Re: Ryolite
Post by: gstoneberg on February 06, 2012, 11:08:59 pm: Thanks Gus, you notice it just took a couple minutes to show you everything I know. ;D Don't get your hopes too high though. You remember that I used regular percussion to take off the big flakes at the start. I'm not sure how well indirect will handle that tough rock. My heavy copper bopper sure did not make much headway against that stuff.

George