antler presser flaking

[bubby]

I've been useing a copper flaker as well as a horse shoe nail and was wanting to know if useing antler, how sharp do ya get it, I have had 0 luck with antler so far, thank's, Bub

[jamie]

its not really about being sharp. the biggest difference is in the platform prep. most times i do very little abrading and set the platform up with light flaking. most of my antler flakers are almost blunt. this is done on purpose though, so that i can use the enamel of the tine rather than the pith. i always keep a couple of untouched tines for cleanup work too.

[JackCrafty]

Antler works best on the glassier stone or on cooked stone.  If you have raw stone that is really tough, it will eat the antler for lunch.

[jamie]

i agree with pat. the trick is to use percussion  or indirect percussion for the work and do the finish the work with antler tines. most of the work i do now rarely gets touched by antler tines. i found ways around it.

[rwaterman00]

i am all abo now. i use all antler tine flaking and actuall after getting used to it i like it more. i have different sizes for different thickness stone.
i have large tines i use like an ishi stick. it has 2 branches one is 1/4 inch diameter at tip. the other is a little over an 1/8 inch. ( i sharpen them alot to keep that diameter.
my one that fits in my hand i sharpen to resemble a pencil tip. for finish edge work.
prep of platform is all important as explained by jamie.
with antler i sometimes push so hard i think i am gonna get an aneurysm. usually resulting in a beautiful flake scar.

[Sparrow]

 I work mostly obsidian and dacite and antler works well as boppers and flakers.Gotta keep a file handy for keeping the tips pointed,but it works good for flakers.  '  Frank