Author Topic: first heat treat!  (Read 2155 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline Jodocus

  • Member
  • Posts: 897
first heat treat!
« on: September 20, 2014, 03:30:16 am »
I have been finding this stone around my home for quite some time. It's lacustrine silex , and it looks just like the famous silex of Grand-Pressigny that was traded all over europe in neolithic times. Beautiful, sometimes translucent yellow stone. But it doesn't knap like that at all, it's super though.
So for the first time yesterday, I heat treated some stone. In the oven, around 250 C / 480 f degrees, for 3 hours, just a couple of tiny shards. Then I tried it as soon as it had cooled :o

WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

That stuff is as easy as my very best flint! The difference is amazing, I would never have expected that. And it looks SWEET! I'll be over my pile of crappy rock today and put it all under the fire and see it turn to gold!  :) :D :laugh: ;D
« Last Edit: September 20, 2014, 03:50:59 am by Jodocus »
Don't shoot!

Offline bowmo

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,035
Re: first heat treat!
« Reply #1 on: September 20, 2014, 05:21:35 am »
Heating is a addictive. We have a grey chert here in Illinois that is quite tough and not very easy to knap and if you heat to 500 for a day it turns it to white or cream colored stone that is very easy to flake. It's amazing what temps we use to cook food with can do.

Offline Zuma

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,324
Re: first heat treat!
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2014, 10:20:44 am »
"You'll never know if you don't go" Smashmouth
A purse from a pig's ear!
Good for you Jo
Zuma
If you are a good detective the past is at your feet. The future belongs to Faith.

Offline cowboy

  • Member
  • Posts: 7,035
  • Paul Wolfe. Springtown, TX
Re: first heat treat!
« Reply #3 on: September 20, 2014, 11:07:04 am »
That AHAH!!! Moment. Amazed me too, cooked hundreds of rocks since :).
When you come upon a track or trail you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing.

Offline JackCrafty

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 5,628
  • Sorry Officer, I was just gathering "materials".
Re: first heat treat!
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2014, 02:24:39 pm »
I cook all of mine too.  Very few rocks in my area will not benefit from heat.
Any critter tastes good with enough butter on it.

Patrick Blank
Midland, Texas
Youtube: JackCrafty, Allergic Hobbit, Patrick Blank

Where's Rock? Public Waterways, Road Cuts, Landscape Supply, Knap-Ins.
How to Cook It?  200° for 24hrs then 275° to 500° for 4hrs (depending on type), Cool for 12hr

Offline flungonin

  • Member
  • Posts: 302
Re: first heat treat!
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2014, 08:50:04 pm »
I was looking for some pic's!

Offline Jodocus

  • Member
  • Posts: 897
Re: first heat treat!
« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2014, 12:50:25 am »
flugonin, I'm at work right now, but since you ask so nicely, I'll upload you some tomorrow!  ;)
Don't shoot!

Offline flungonin

  • Member
  • Posts: 302
Re: first heat treat!
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2014, 01:39:42 am »
I have yet to heat anything. Anxious on how everyone else heated rock comes out. Especially if it is easier to knapp. Color is always a plus