Working Bases

[Ryan Jacob]

I really hate working the bases of anything I knap, it’s way too stressful. I’m thinking, should I thin the base before the sides? But when I do that, there’s so much meat left on the piece that I have to hit harder than normal and it’s also harder to control. What’s your method?

[bjrogg]

I hate bases to. My method is usually hit it and snap my blade in two or three pieces.lol seriously I usually try  to keep thinning base and point a little more than the rest of blade. If I wait till after I thin sides I usually snap them trying to thin base.
I'm open to suggestions though cause I really ain't that good. Still have a lot to learn in the knapping area. I can make a sharp pointy object though.
Bjrogg

[Deerhunter21]

I the person that taught me had the same view as bj. I thin the base then the tip and then I follow from the tips to the base and do some fine tuning. Keep in mind though that I started last Saturday and I can barely thin the point enough to haft it.