Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: Hunts with stone on February 23, 2013, 08:51:05 am

Title: Snowflake Obsidian
Post by: Hunts with stone on February 23, 2013, 08:51:05 am
Anyone worked this stuff? I have a slab and can't get a good flake.
Title: Re: Snowflake Obsidian
Post by: Trapper Rob on February 23, 2013, 09:50:36 am
A friend of mine that sells rock told me that at the flake in the stone it wants to stop the flake I was told it is ash in the stone.
Rob
Title: Re: Snowflake Obsidian
Post by: Hunts with stone on February 23, 2013, 09:54:58 am
Thought that was the case thanks.
Title: Re: Snowflake Obsidian
Post by: Stringman on February 23, 2013, 10:29:41 am
I have worked it a few times with success, but you can't think of it like high quality rock. Platforms need to be thicker and build up more pressure. Also depends how many ash pockets are in the stone.

Scott
Title: Re: Snowflake Obsidian
Post by: YosemiteBen on February 27, 2013, 02:50:25 pm
I am not at work so I can't post a pic of a snowflake point.  The flakes are not "ash" pockets they are cristobalite crystals and causes some geologists to believe that this is some of the oldest obsidian due to the crystal formation.  It will knap but the crystals are hard and definitely require better platforms. I will post a pic when I got back to work. It will be a bit though. There is obsidian that does get ash/pumice pockets in it and that stuff is only good for rock gardens.
Title: Re: Snowflake Obsidian
Post by: Hunts with stone on February 27, 2013, 05:18:46 pm
Thanks for that info. Everyone said it's ash, thats some good info.
Title: Re: Snowflake Obsidian
Post by: YosemiteBen on February 27, 2013, 06:31:03 pm
@HWS - try googling snowflake obs. there are some articles out of u of Oregon I think.
Title: Re: Snowflake Obsidian
Post by: Hunts with stone on February 27, 2013, 09:07:01 pm
Ok thanks
Title: Re: Snowflake Obsidian
Post by: bubby on February 28, 2013, 07:17:39 pm
it's a little harder to work than regular obs, the owner of the gem shop where I get a lot of rosk knaps, he has a couple of beauty's from snowflake, guy can chip some rock, Bub
Title: Re: Snowflake Obsidian
Post by: Hunts with stone on March 01, 2013, 07:06:38 am
Well i gave it a go. Tried many ways this one piece just don't knapp. It's like old dry road tar. If it had more glass apeal it would knapp. I'm shure there is better snowflake out there. Thanks for all the input.