question 'bout thick glass

[recurve shooter]

ok, i got some pickle jar bottoms from the big gallon sized jars that i want to try to make a blade out of. prollem is that they are like a quarter of an inch thick, and my edge ends up haveing a really steep angle, and really short flakes, and looks like a two year old did it. i can get flakes to run all the way accross thin glass, but how the heck to i get it to work on this stuff? 

[leapingbare]

your going to have to tern your edge.. set up some platforms and do a little percussion work.. or some real hard presher flaking.

[recurve shooter]

thats what i was sceard of. i dont know how to precussion flake. or set up platforms for it for that matter.

[nugget]

Give it a try. Practice, practice, and practice some more. Once you have run a series of pressure flakes abrade them and flip it over and run a series on the other side.

[Wolf Watcher]

Shooter:  Several things:  1.  Abrade, Abrade, Abrade which allows your flaker to grab on!  2.  The angle you hold and pressure the blank will give or stop the distance the flake will travel.  3.  Use a good hand pad and don't be afraid to use an Ishi stick to give you the extra power you need.  If you don't have an Ishi stick and a good hand pad, send me your address and I will send one to you.  Joe

[StevenT]

I am still trying to get the hang of thick glass slabs myself, so no expert here. But I can share one thing.... be real careful when hittings around the ends. If you don't support the other end with either a finger or back of your leg or something, the glass will snap in half in a heartbeat. Maybe someone else can tell how to prevent it from happening cause I haven't mastered how to prevent it yet and have snapped just about every large piece of glass I have touched.

[sailordad]

i have worked many many slabs of obsidion,natures glass.
i know exactly what your asking,just dont know how to explain it
i could show ya though.tell ya what
load your vehicle up with them slabs,drive up here to mn and i would be happy to show ya

ya you need to turn the edge,abraid abraid abraid,then when ya think you have abraided enuough abraid again.
if you touch a platform that you want to flake,abraid it again,never want oil from your skin on a platform of glass
once you have your hand between your thighs,flaker in place (i use an ishi stick,better leverage)puch hard,lean on the stick
and pop the flake with your legs,not your hands.this should help you get longer flakes
other than that i would have to show you how i do it.
but best advise is to practice practice practice,and after removing a flake dont just drop it to the ground.
look at the flake and where it came off of and analyze what you did and the end results

hey Joe 

i could always use another ishi stick and hand pad too

[recurve shooter]

thanks sailordad. that was helpfull. now as soon as i get the nerve to go outside im gunna try it, lol.

[sailordad]

oh ya

watch you tube videos too
they helped me alot when i first started,not that i have been doing this long ( 11 months and counting  )
nice thing is,with you tube its like being at a knapp in,but more at yor convienence.down side is you cant ask q's to a vid.
but when you have a q' just look for a vid that addrees it,or ask on here.
there are alot,and i mean alot of great vids on you tube for the beginning knapper.some better than others
you will find ones that suit your learning style and the questions you have.
good luck,and keep the band aids close by

                                                               peace,
                                                                     tim

[Bill Skinner]

When working around the ends, I have found that if I pinch hard where the flake is going to come off, it soaks up the whip that causes end snap.  I also have my hand pretty tight on my point.  Also, take thin , small flakes instead of one large flake.  Bill

[Lobo69ss]

Try this site...    http://www.youtube.com/user/paleomanjim/#/p/u/1/wyzNIaUSNc   
copy & paste into your browser...  Jim is a member of paleoplanet & a very good
knapper.  His videos can help a lot  when you`re trying to learn the way

[warhawk]

That right Paleoindiam man just started a series for beginners and ill tell you they are right on.

[sailordad]

man i loved his vids
when i first started,actually before i even busted a rock.
i would spend two hours a night watching his videos.did that for weeks.
i think i mut have seen every one he had on you tube,plus a couple of other guys on there to.
you will learn a lot from this gentleman

[recurve shooter]

thanks, i will be sure to check it out.

[Lobo69ss]

Jim has recently added a new series of videos for new knappers if you need
the absolute basics to start from.
   They should be found at the last link that I posted for his other videos.