Tallahatta Sandstone and Tallahatta Chert

[HoBow]

Well, this is the results of my rock run.  I found some huge boulders and could not spall it out with the stone I brought and did not want to start beating on it with a steel slag hammer, so ended up picking up pieces around the 5 or 6 small car size boulders.  Is this about the size you guys start out with or should they be bigger?  The stone I used is in the bottom right corner of the first picture.  It was not much good on this rock.  The coke can is for size reference.  I plan on going again next Tuesday and try to get more, but hope to be better prepared to break the boulder up a little- any advice appreciated.   

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[Bill Skinner]

Those chunks and spalls are about the correct size to make medium sized to large points with no problems.  I think that you should work on forming them into preforms  before you start trying to beat the rock into a point.  You will gain experiance in getting flakes to release in the direction and shape you want.  If you have any questions, PM me.  I will be checking this site.  If you want to knapp some more, I will be at Moundville Park on Sat. from 1100 to 1400.  Bill

[HoBow]

Thanks Bill!  I enjoyed meeting you the other day and appreciate the help in learning the basics. My plan was to practice percussion with most of the rock I find. I wasn't real concerned about knocking out points just yet. Thanks again for all the help and material!!

[warhawk]

they look great to me i wish i was there. have fun knapping and show us some pics of the things you make.

[arappaho]

Good job, Jeff!
It would be great to see some pics of the rock in the ground, or in the setting you are
finding it, if at all possible. I don't know for sure what you are looking at as far as collecting
possibilities goes, but my favorite tools for collecting that coastal plains chert is a 16# sledge
and a 6 foot pry bar.
Wear goggles, and any on-lookers should stand back atleast 15-20 feet, also with goggles.
Joe

[HoBow]

Well, today was an interesting day in my journey to learn knapping!  I decided to go get some more rock and grab some photos so I could get some advice.  While loading up some, one slipped and cut my left finger open.  I decided to go ahead and finish getting what I came for   I left and went and got three stitches in my left pointer finger    I went home to unload the rock and the same thing happened, so I had to go back and get four stitches in my right palm  The doctors got a kick out of the whole situation and my wife took my rocks away    Maybe knapping is not for everyone   

Here are pictures from both ER visits (within 2 hours of each other) and some of the big boulders.  There is at least 10 back in this area and only a few have been whacked on....

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[nugget]

It might be safer and cheaper to wear gloves.  Nice find and hope they heal quickly

[arappaho]

Yep, you might want to add Gloves to that list of tools.
But, when your hands heal up, you know where to get plenty of material!
Thanks for the pics.
Joe

[warhawk]

At least you found a gold mine of material to use i have to buy most of what i need

[leapingbare]

i woulda lost half of my little finger on my last rock run if i had not had gloves on.. i was spalling a big piece of flint river and i missed the platform and my finger slid across a sharp edge of rock with the weight of large copper spaller and it sliced through the glove and still cut me..

[HoBow]

I never have liked gloves with the exception of hauling hay, but looks like I will have ro adjust 

[Bill Skinner]

Are the stitches out yet?  When they are, call me and we'll try to set up another session.  We should try to get together before it get too cold.  Bill

[mullet]

 When it gets too cold, send that rock on a vacation,, to me.   Cool battle scars

[HoBow]

Bill- I will be up there next week again for work, so I will give you a call.  I've taken the stitches out of my left hand because they were hurting.  I was suppose to get them out tomorrow, but I have some stuff to do this weekend, so I'm going to leave the ones in my right hand in until Sunday.  I should be good to go next week.     Mullet-  I'll send some down your way.  Shoot me a PM with what you are interested in.

I got some dogwood logs today that were seasoned.  Would these be good to try and spall out the boulders?  Do they need to be smooth or could I shape it out with my drawknife and call it quits? Any rough dimensions or pics would be greatly appreciated!!

[cowboy]

Sheese man, what a find! That is too cool! Sorry about the stiches but looks like your hooked .