Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: redwasp on May 27, 2009, 11:44:22 pm

Title: couldn't wait to try quartz
Post by: redwasp on May 27, 2009, 11:44:22 pm
it is just a little tough to get thin but I'll get better.(http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/Richard_redwasp/Picture.jpg)
Title: Re: couldn't wait to try quartz
Post by: Aosda on May 28, 2009, 02:53:36 am
Bet that would still take some game
Title: Re: couldn't wait to try quartz
Post by: redwasp on May 28, 2009, 05:04:29 am
it made me leak, lol. I was trying to just make a point out of it cause I told bearbowman if I couldn't make a point outta the quartz we found, I would quit flintknapping. Thats just not gonna happen until I'm unable to flake any material. this was a first for me. One thing for sure it won't break. and is sharp as hell. may look bulky, but I wouldn't want it coming toward me. this material has alot of freeze fractures. it even had some clear chrystal quartz mixwd in with it. Easy to flake at first but as it got smaller it wouldn't cooperate.
Title: Re: couldn't wait to try quartz
Post by: jamie on May 28, 2009, 06:44:01 am
good job. that stuff is as sharp as any obsidian. ive gutted deer with it before
Title: Re: couldn't wait to try quartz
Post by: Hillbilly on May 28, 2009, 07:28:33 am
Good work, and that looks like a good waxy grade of quartz you have up there. Jamie's right-that stuff is sharp as obsidian, I've sprung a lot of leaks working it.
Title: Re: couldn't wait to try quartz
Post by: mullet on May 28, 2009, 08:30:25 am
  Good point, when I get home I'll post some pictures of some authenic quartze points. I didn't realize how many I had till last week. It's amazing how thin some of them are.
Title: Re: couldn't wait to try quartz
Post by: cowboy on May 28, 2009, 08:53:36 am
Nice point. I've got a couple of big chunks of that in the rock garden - may have to try one now :).
Title: Re: couldn't wait to try quartz
Post by: Timo on May 28, 2009, 08:55:56 am
Never have hit the stuff. May have to try a piece sometime. Looks a bit trying?
Title: Re: couldn't wait to try quartz
Post by: n2everythg on May 28, 2009, 09:37:04 am
Ive been playing with it as well. pick it up when I find a half way decent piece of it around.

It will flake if you can find some with a minimum of fractures. It is fun to play with. Havnt gotten anything decent out of it yet but I have a bunch of flakes that would make points. just havnt finished any off.

seems to work best with really soft rock, wood and antler for me anyway. Also I have found you gotta take the flake off on the first hit other wise you just fracture the crap out of it.

I wouldnt hesitate to tie that point to a shaft.
later
wade
Title: Re: couldn't wait to try quartz
Post by: bearbowman on May 28, 2009, 01:11:38 pm
That looks great buddy. I'm still working the obsidian you gave me.
Title: Re: couldn't wait to try quartz
Post by: redwasp on May 28, 2009, 07:57:41 pm
any tips on getting larger flakes than these.(http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/Richard_redwasp/Picture020.jpg)
Title: Re: couldn't wait to try quartz
Post by: jamie on May 28, 2009, 08:01:08 pm
hit it harder  ;D ya need a dogwood baseball bat. after watching the guys in tenn. i realised its the only way to work that stuff.
Title: Re: couldn't wait to try quartz
Post by: redwasp on May 28, 2009, 08:05:09 pm
Dogwood huh, time to fire up the Stihl
Title: Re: couldn't wait to try quartz
Post by: Hillbilly on May 29, 2009, 09:55:14 am
Like Jamie said-wooden billet will take a flat, thin flake, or a really soft, grainy hammerstone. The tougher the rock, the softer percussor you need to grip the edge of the platform, starting a slow fracture initiation and popping good flakes. Like Robustus told me once: "if a nanner would hold together, it would be the ideal percussor for quartzite..." :) Just make sure that wood is dry that you whack it with.
Title: Re: couldn't wait to try quartz
Post by: huntertrapper on May 29, 2009, 03:28:42 pm
Well done man. ive seen that stuff before and it is tough, great job, put that on an arrow and you got a nice small game point.