help my rocks

[wildman]

I picked these up in Caldwell and Trigg counties in SW Ky the nodes have flint in the middle in my ignorance I heated the nodes they blew up.I think the blue flint are cores out of larger nodes I got them out of a limestone cave kind of grainy. what do I need to do to make them workable,also the nodes have a sort of white chert on the outside PLEASE HELP THE DUMB GUY

[attachment deleted by admin]

[FlintWalker]

They could have easily been Ky blue.  If they were...they're ruined.   I'd go get some more and chalk those up as a leasrning experience   Most of the knappable rock you'll find in that part of the country don't need heated.

[Bill Skinner]

How hot did you get them and for how long?  Bill

[sailordad]

dude thats too bad
ifn the were ky blue i envy you
and like shannon said, chalk them up to experience
when you go get more you could always get extra
ya know for those of us whom live in areas that are starved for knappable material 


ive become such a rock whore 

[wildman]

I got a lot and ruined only two I will go back before the classic to get more be more than happy to share I broke a hammer stone on one of these guys I heated them in the fire not sure how hot but around 30 -45 mins I would guess before they went boom changed the color , not glass or obsidian for sure 

[caveman2533]

generally it is not a good idea to heat  whole nodules. the material is too thick and expends unevenly and can explode violently, as you seem to have already discovered. Moisture trapped inside causes explosions that can be dagerous.  Even after spalling it needs to be heated slowly to allow moisture to escape.   IF it is even heatable material, it should be spalled first.
steve

[cowboy]

You need to spall and bi-face before heating. Make sure they don't work raw first.. Already said just thought i'd reiterate..

[leapingbare]

Dont heat any of the ky rocks. they wont take it.

[FlintWalker]

Dont heat any of the ky rocks. they wont take it.

And certainly not directly in the fire