Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: Aosda on May 25, 2009, 11:19:05 pm

Title: Is this good for points?
Post by: Aosda on May 25, 2009, 11:19:05 pm

I have this rock in my yard.  I believe it's some type of slate or shale.  Would it be suitable for making points out of?

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Title: Re: Is this good for points?
Post by: cowboy on May 26, 2009, 12:50:57 am

Looks like it would work in a pinch. I was gonna say you'd probably have to grind - doesn't look knappable.

Title: Re: Is this good for points?
Post by: Lobo69ss on May 26, 2009, 12:57:06 am

I`m kinda new to the knapping area, but I`m pretty sure that you can use shale like that for a ground point, but I`d expect it to snap if used on anything harder than a hay bale or flesh, it`s brittle & won`t take the abuse of  substantial impact like stump shooting. I`ve made some ground points for show & using on wallhanger arras w/ some beads & feathers danglin` off`n `em.
  You might also give a thought to making the bases a little thinner so that they are easier to haft.
   Lobo

Title: Re: Is this good for points?
Post by: Aosda on May 26, 2009, 04:02:59 am

Thanks for the replies.  I figured they would be one shot points.  I ground that point out in about half hour on a nice granite block I have.  Seeing as I don't have any shafts(haven't attempted that yet, don't know how) I figured I'd leave the point a little on the larger size to be taken down later.

Title: Re: Is this good for points?
Post by: D. Tiller on May 26, 2009, 06:12:01 pm

The natives, up here in the NW and Alaska, used a lot of slate for both arrowheads and knives. They ground them out just like you did.

Title: Re: Is this good for points?
Post by: mullet on May 26, 2009, 06:53:00 pm

 the Japanese also used slate for points. It's not a one shot wonder. I've made ground Ulu's out of it and some points.

Title: Re: Is this good for points?
Post by: redwasp on May 26, 2009, 10:09:53 pm

search "phillips quarry" in sussex county the material there is highly lustrous and glassy (Harmonyvale member chert) and cecil black in Newark Jasper, also search Limonite AKA Bog Iron in south Jersey cumberland Co. also you might want to search Normanskill chert, Onondaga, and Esopus. I have that in my yard too doest knap I know that for sure come of in layers. In our area we have alot of black cherts. However finding quality is the hard part. If your interested I'll definately go with you I am all about free rock in our area.

Title: Re: Is this good for points?
Post by: Aosda on May 27, 2009, 12:06:11 am

Sounds like fun Redwasp.  I don't know anything about knapping, it'd be fun to learn.

Title: Re: Is this good for points?
Post by: jamie on May 27, 2009, 12:08:42 pm

redwasp i have a guy who is going to take me to a great source for normanskill this year. wont be for another month or so. if it pans out ill let ya know .

Title: Re: Is this good for points?
Post by: redwasp on May 27, 2009, 09:45:59 pm

please do, I would love to have some Jamie thanks in advance.

Title: Re: Is this good for points?
Post by: JackCrafty on May 28, 2009, 10:47:28 am

Good quality slate (like the type used for roofing) is good for points and can be processed easily.  Treat it like bone.  Keep hunting points small and serrate the edges.  You can grind a flute into the base for hafting.

I used slate for all my arrowheads when I was a kid....it was the only thing I had available in NH where I grew up.