ABO techniques, processes and tools.

[JW_Halverson]

Thank you for ringing in turbo

My pleasure and thank you for the great thread, hope I didn't hijack. BTW, I'm looking for some deer ulna bones if you have any leads. Look forward to more discussion.

Two each, per deer.

[turbo]

Thank you for ringing in turbo

My pleasure and thank you for the great thread, hope I didn't hijack. BTW, I'm looking for some deer ulna bones if you have any leads. Look forward to more discussion.

Two each, per deer.

Yeah, I don't hunt anymore so am looking for someone that has some deer parts to part w/.

[iowabow]

Use of the ulna bone...when shaping the ulna is flat to the edge and is pressed inward and down on a small platform. When notching the ulna runs perpendicular to the horizontal stone with the center of the tip on the edge where the notch is to be located. Start by loading pressure inward till a flake pops or you have reached the end of your ability to apply pressure and then rotate to change the direction of force to release  the flake. After you hear the flake detach remove debris from pad and pop the corners out before you flip and repeat.

[iowabow]

Use of the ishi stick...there are three foundational techniques I use most often.
Crunching : this is a process I use to remove the thin sharp edge of a flake before I start making a point. The results of this technique can be seen in an earlier photo in this post. The ishi stick is use to just scrap downward making a crunching noise like stepping on potato chips.
Cutting: a term I use to describe a technique unique to ABO knapping because with copper the platform is a little different. With cutting the platform is above the centerline and the direction of force is straight inward and often diagonal. The effect of this can be seen in flake patterns that often run edge to edge.
Hollow ground...this technique creates a hollow ground effect and is used when you suspect that a flake is going to step before it detaches naturally. This is accomplished in the same manner as cutting but just before the flake detaches you pull toward your left hand with the ishi. This also happens when the stone unwillingly rotates during cutting and can often be seen near the tip of a point. At this location the size of the stone is difficult to vice and will rotate causing the surface to hollow ground. This only happens on one side. It will be the side you see when the tip is pointed at your thumb. The only solution I have is to knap this part left handed rather than right.

[iowabow]

Tonight we will visit each of these  foundation pressure flaking techniques in detail as I make my next point.

[JackCrafty]

 

[iowabow]

Here the ulna bone is used to notch.

[iowabow]

The ishi stick is simply used to cut in the Manor seen in these photos

[Tracker0721]

That's it. I'm trying ABO. Starting when I get re-set up in my new place. How'd you make the ishi stick?

[iowabow]

The ishi is made from osage. I have the tip wrapped with sinew and a hole drilled for the antler tip to sit in. There is a hole drilled in the side that is used to fish out the small lifting stones. These stones raise the antler as it is consumed.
The sinew has been placed in a recessed channel to prevent it from being cut all the time by the point.

[iowabow]

 

[iowabow]

That's it. I'm trying ABO. Starting when I get re-set up in my new place. How'd you make the ishi stick?

Making ABO points from flakes is really easy with the these two basic tools.

[iowabow]

I use a small hammer stone to deal with thick areas most of the time.

[JackCrafty]

I was going to keep my abo vs copper comments "zipped" but I must say one thing:  copper doesn't wear down as fast.  That is, less maintenance.  MUCH less.  That's why I use it.  I don't think that property of copper (or metals) gets stressed enough.

I completely agree that natural materials produce excellent results.

[iowabow]

I was going to keep my abo vs copper comments "zipped" but I must say one thing:  copper doesn't wear down as fast.  That is, less maintenance.  MUCH less.  That's why I use it.  I don't think that property of copper (or metals) gets stressed enough.

I completely agree that natural materials produce excellent results.

I think if I were working with Texas chert I would agree.