Flintknapping - Beginners

Any other Australian knappers on this forum?

feeds@yuku.com (fractured) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:04:20 GMT

Hi, wondered if there were any other Australian knappers out there and if so where do you get get your stone and have you had success getting it mailed in?
Thanks, fractured.

Differences of Dacite and Obsidian

feeds@yuku.com (MountainWalker) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:58:06 GMT

Just like the title says. Whats the difference? I have been to the Obsidian quarry a couple times now. The Obsidian that I get there is not the deep glossy black that I have always thought Obsidian to be. It is black but looks like pictures of Dacite that I have seen. I'm pretty sure that it is Obsidian, it is registered as an Obsidian quarry.
So, what are the differences between the two? I have never handled Dacite.

some new blades 5 months knapping lots to learn

feeds@yuku.com (brkbk) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:06:51 GMT

Thick Cortex

feeds@yuku.com (Ray Hogan) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:43:26 GMT

I've got some material that has an extremely thick cortex. It's chalky and at times several inches thick. Will "beating" it off possible fracture the flint? Should I maybe try to saw it away? Anyone else run into this? Thanks, Ray.

Modern Fulcrum Rocker Punch Board And Tools

feeds@yuku.com (rhymeswithwhat) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:38:54 GMT

Check out these new tools in General Flint Knapping for beginner or expert:

http://paleoplanet69529.y...om/topic/29696/master/1/

Rhymes

My best work yet

feeds@yuku.com (MountainWalker) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:33:06 GMT

I started on a big ol piece of Obsidian last night. Took of about 1/2 a bucket of spalls. I just kept working it down until it got too dark to see. Things were going well too. I got home from work tonight and could'nt wait to get started again. I was putting alot more thought into it and things where going smooth. I had a couple bad hingles but I just kept working the thing over and finaly I got to a point that I thought I could take it off. Worked like a charm! I was all grins tonight....

stained glass for knapping

feeds@yuku.com (beaglebow) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:33:03 GMT

I have a ton of stained glass scraps from my art school days, and read somewhere that I could use them in knapping. I haven't knapped a thing in my life, so does anyone have any tutorials or videos that would help me get started? Also, some of the terminology is a little strange to me. Anywhere I can find out what some of these terms are referring to? Also, if anyone wants some stained glass, let me know. I'll thin my pile some if people are interested!

Thanks
...

I learned something this weekend. I HAVE A LOT TO LEARN!!!

feeds@yuku.com (ShoalHunter) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:34:08 GMT

This weekend I got a little cocky when it comes to my skill. I got away from my comfort zone of thin flakes and beat myself out a point. Thats when I lost my mind and thought I'd try to flute it.
OOOHH! What was I thinking!? I set up a platform and bam!!!

I still cant believe it! IT WORKED!
Then I set up a second platform to put this point to rest. Bam!...

Best material for knife blade

feeds@yuku.com (Arko) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:03:05 GMT

That will actually be used. Flint? Obsidian? Chert? ??????????????????????????? Thanks

Finally!! A thin point with the tip still attached!!

feeds@yuku.com (ShoalHunter) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:31:52 GMT

Hello All.
I'm pretty new at knapping, and I think I am hooked.
I figured I'd snap a few pics of this point I somehow managed to not mess up.

(Pictured below)
Added 10/9/09 These are my best to date. All but the Middle Cahokia and Glass point...

The objective or the result?

feeds@yuku.com (MountainWalker) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:26:39 GMT

Bifaces that is. What do you do with one after you have made it? Did the ancients actually have the biface as an objective or was it the result of taking of flakes for tools?
Just asking cause I don't know. Are bifaces made now days as a representation of skill? Thinner = more skill or do these bifaces go on to make tools?

Castings/Reproductions

feeds@yuku.com (ShoalHunter) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:38:09 GMT

Good Morning all,

I am fairly new to knapping. I have Been at it about 6 months now. Things are finally starting to come together a little bit and I was wondering where I might be able pick up castings of good work for reference material. Books are good, but I think if I could hold and see a fine piece in my hands it would help with turning out better points and blades.

Thanks for any help you all can give me.

P.S. When and where can I find knap ins in...

eye protection

feeds@yuku.com (MountainWalker) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:58:34 GMT

What are you guys wearing? I have bought 2 pair of safety glasses. One was a cheap pair but it has a little distortion and after wearing them for a while it gives me a headache. I then figured a more expensive pair would be better. Guess what, same thing. After about an hour my head starts to hurt and my eyes feel like they don't focus through the lens very well.
I know the importance of eye safety as the glasses have already saved flying shards a few times from reaching my eyes....

Bird (flu) points

feeds@yuku.com (hawk shaman) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:39:39 GMT

OK, it was actually swine flu (H1N1) that kept me home from the recent NC knap-in. But I was really bored and periodically got bursts of energy, so I stepped outside to whack some rock. Just a few bird points and another sort-of-Clovis-like piece. Small ones are (L-R) Texas chert, Kay County and Dacite. Larger point is also dacite. These are actually the first four points I have ever made to completion, so things are looking up.
John

New Florida rock molester!!

feeds@yuku.com (JP 1273) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:57:45 GMT

Hello all

About 4 months ago I discovered "You Tube". It didnt take long and I found a vid of what I thought was a crazy man beating on a rock. After about 9 minutes of this 10 min. vid. I realized he was beating on it with a purpose. I came to the conclusion he figured out how to deal with a hard day at work by beating on something other than the boss man.

Well I decided I had to try this!! So I got a concrete block and a chunk of copper ground rod (trying...

Knappable stone spreadsheet

feeds@yuku.com (MountainWalker) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:43:21 GMT

I'm a noo-b to knapping and one thing that us begginers are faced with is trying to find material to knap. Maybe one has already been put it together. But it would be real nice if there was a spreadsheet with the common name of the stone, hardness, and knapability. Anyone know where I can find one?

Wonderstone

feeds@yuku.com (MountainWalker) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:38:54 GMT

There is a wonderstone collection site near me and I was wondering if it is a knappable stone?

Small victories.

feeds@yuku.com (farkdaddy) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:53:35 GMT

I reworked my copper boppers recently and have been dying to try them out. I spalled a few nice sized flakes off some Kentucky blue I had collected some time ago and had a go. I was also using a double ended 3/4" and 1/2" diameter hybrid steel/copper cap bopper I made. It has a copper cap forcefit onto a rounded steel rod. I have to say that the weight of the steel/copper bopper with the softness of the copper was great. By far my favorite so far.

Anyway, the flakes...

2 new dacite pieces

feeds@yuku.com (The Burnt Hill Archer) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:26:31 GMT

put these together last night. the first is a drill for tapering shafts for forshafts, and the second is my first atempt to replicate anything. its supposed to be a big ishi point, but i couldnt get the base to thin out for me, and so my notches didnt work out. i had a little trouble with even taper on both pieces. but anyhow, here ya go.

New here, looking for supplies

feeds@yuku.com (Jubie) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 12:25:16 GMT

Hey All, I love this site!
I am new to knapping, not the thought of it, but the actual DOING it,, and I need a nice leather lap pad.
I have lots of material to work with, but I really need some leather.
I am willing to buy, or trade.
Just drop me a line.
Thanks!
Jubie