How thin is thin?

[Muskyman]

I have seen where people mention some kind of ratio for a piece they are working on.. just wondering what you guys call thin enough. I think I might be trying to make my points too thin, maybe. I’ve never tried to measure them, just kinda going by feel.

[RickB]

No thinner than these 

[Muskyman]

That’s mighty thin Rick but, ruffles have ridges so I might go with them. I guess I’ll have to go with what I saw jack crafty post about a point he was making. I’m thinking it was 8 to 1. Guess I’ll have to get my micrometer out to see where some of mine are at.

[paulc]

I think 1:8 as super thin and a pretty advanced knapper but I have been wrong a couple times :-)  It certainly is a good goal but personally I would be happy if I could consistently get a 1:6 point that was a full 1" or more wide.  I can get material down to 1/8" thick all day long but it is too narrow to use as a hunting point imo.  fwiw  Paul

[Muskyman]

I’m actually trying for about an inch wide or a bit wider Paul. I think here in Ohio you have to be 7/8 minimum width. I think 1/8 might be a little too thin for obsidian but not flint. One of the many problems I’m having now is I’m getting one side that I can’t thin down. Getting better but not there yet. Seems like every piece has one side that ends up thicker than the other.. at least I’m not turning every piece into an aquarium turtle now.. if I could figure out the indirect stuff I think that would help. I really need to commit to practicing with that.

[Allyn T]

8:1 is a very thin ratio. I don't really measure my points I just thin until it looks good to my eyes.

[Muskyman]

I agree 8 to 1 is pretty thin. I had one looking pretty thin and I figured I’d measure it. Turned out to be about a quarter inch measuring with a micrometer. It was still 2 inches wide at the base. But of course I destroyed it.😡

[JackCrafty]

Most artifacts fall within the 3:1 to 5:1 width to thickness ratio. Anything 6:1 or better is considered "thin" by most standards.