Now what?

[Redhand]

Those turtle back shaped stone are the best to learn on, keep banging away you will improve, and remember to follow the ridges.

[mullet]

Set up a good platform and hit those turtle backs diagonally across the top. You will be supprised how much will come off with a good platform.

[jeffp51]

Thank you all for the advice. I would still like to know what a good platform is for a bigger rock like these.  I am starting to understand on the small glass chips I have been pressure flaking, but anything that requires percussion, I am not sure what it will look like. Been watching videos. . .

[JackCrafty]

What videos are you watching?  As a new guy, you're probably watching a lot of "abo" videos.   This happens with new guys and I don't know exactly why.  If you are using copper tools, you need to be watching copper vids.

And be sure heck out EDBO23 on youtube, for example.  He is one of the most helpful yet under-viewed guys on youtube.

[jeffp51]

one of the more helpful videos I have found is by a guy named flintknapper Jimmy that has a series on copper bopping at turtle backed piece of obsidian.  I have been stearig clear of the abo stuff.  I felt like learning with copper would be easier, the tools simpler to find--I won't be getting a moose billet anytime soon anyway--and they seemed more effective.  I have been watching your videos too Jack, the way you talk through them is helpful for me to understand what I am looking at.

[JoJoDapyro]

Jeff, while knapping last night I was thinking of advice for a beginner. If you can't get a flake to run, hitting it harder isn't the answer, fixing your platform is. I started with copper, and really prefer stone and antler now. Really I just use rocks from my yard. 3 sizes, small to large.