Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: knapperhead on September 14, 2013, 02:16:09 pm

Title: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: knapperhead on September 14, 2013, 02:16:09 pm

I am having a hard time finishing my points, they end up high on one side or on both ends. They look almost curved like a bowl. I do pretty well in the initial thinning stages but can't get them convex. Maybe I am getting them too flat when first thinning? I have been using copper but have tried hammerstones, a little antler and some indirect punching as well. I will add some pics when I get home next week to give a better idea of what I mean. It's getting frustrating......
Matt

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on September 14, 2013, 02:28:45 pm

folsom points? 8)
don't get them as thin to start. you can always take rock off, but can't add it back on.

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: bubby on September 14, 2013, 04:19:14 pm

go thru Towers posts, he did a how to on thinning that was very informative

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: cowboy on September 14, 2013, 05:49:17 pm

I do the same if not paying attention from the start. Gotta keep an eye on them edges and keep em straight even if it costs you an inch off the tip. Unless your making pandales :). Sitting in with some other knappers would be great too.

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: Knapper on September 15, 2013, 06:07:22 pm

All I got to say is youtube Allergichobbit
Knapper

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: knapperhead on September 16, 2013, 11:15:11 am

Thanks for the tips...
I have been watching all the videos and reading all the books I can get my hands on. I'm just waiting for that aha moment. Maybe I do need to sit with someone. I live close to Austin, Tx. but don't know any other knappers. I believe I will make sure my edges are straight on the next try and see how it goes. I just got some nice Keokuk spalls so I will beat on them for a while.
Matt

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: knapperhead on September 16, 2013, 12:42:25 pm

Quote from: bubby on September 14, 2013, 04:19:14 pm

go thru Towers posts, he did a how to on thinning that was very informative

I've been looking through Tower's posts for about an hour but haven't found the tutorial. Do you know the name of it? I tried the search function with no luck.
Thanks,
Matt

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: bubby on September 16, 2013, 01:34:52 pm

not sure of the name of the thread, it used to be stickied at the top

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: Gus on September 16, 2013, 05:39:58 pm

Thinning with Pressure... By Tower.

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,28416.0.html

Thought this was gonna be a Sticky...  :)

-gus

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: bowtarist on September 16, 2013, 05:57:36 pm

Yea, it used to be a sticky at the top?  Are you running flakes straight in to the rock?  I've found that running flakes at an angle to the length of the point helps to keep convexity.  The flakes run longer and don't have to work as hard to do it.  That's my 2cents. dp

Oh yea, find someone to knapp with, got lots of us down in TX.

NOTE: When I said "us" I ment knapper, I'm a Hoosier.  ;)

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: Newindian on September 16, 2013, 08:16:24 pm

If I'm correct tower is in the spring branch area north of San Antonio , so am I but I'm no knapper.

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: Tower on September 16, 2013, 08:22:10 pm

I'm in New Braunfels between SA  & Austin.  I'd love a visit any time . I have the beer & the Rock. Just let me know when.      Tower

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: knapperhead on September 17, 2013, 07:07:09 pm

Quote from: bowtarist on September 16, 2013, 05:57:36 pm

Yea, it used to be a sticky at the top?  Are you running flakes straight in to the rock?  I've found that running flakes at an angle to the length of the point helps to keep convexity.  The flakes run longer and don't have to work as hard to do it.  That's my 2cents. dp

Thanks for the link Gus. That is a very good tutorial Tower. Thanks for doing it.

I do tend to run the flakes straight in. I'm going to go out now and try a more oblique angle and focus on keeping the edges straight.

Tower, I pass through New Braunfels every other Tuesday, usually around 1:30 pm, I work down by Laredo. I live in Leander so it's close if Tuesdays are not good for you we could get together any day really. I'm off every other week. I would be honored to sit with you and break some rocks. I have some G-Town, Keokuk and a couple good pieces of Rootbeer I could bring. I will buy the beer as well, just name your brand.

I appreciate all the help........

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: knapperhead on September 17, 2013, 10:11:48 pm

I can get this far and then it's a crap shoot. About 10% of the time I end up with a half way descent point.
(http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h403/knapperhead/photo1.jpeg)
(http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h403/knapperhead/photo2-2.jpeg)

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: cowboy on September 17, 2013, 10:19:11 pm

You've got it to pressure stage there. It's time for the Ishi stick and some thinning/ fine tuning. This is where sitting with someone would really help.

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: bowtarist on September 17, 2013, 11:04:44 pm

That looks great kh, and if you get to break some rock w/ Don, ...well I'm breakin one of the 7 deadly sins...envy.  lucky ding dang ol dude you are. Sincerely!  dpgratz

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: Knapper on September 18, 2013, 09:07:35 am

That's not a bad start at all KH. The first 25 lbs. of rock I hade didn't make that  .
Knapper

Title: Re: What am I doing wrong?
Post by: knapperhead on September 18, 2013, 06:07:07 pm

Ha HA, thanks.....
The sad thing is that I started knapping about 12 years ago. It's mostly a winter sport for me so I guess I'm a fair weathr knapper.