Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: ozy clint on June 24, 2009, 12:44:30 am

Title: what should a newbie do with this?
Post by: ozy clint on June 24, 2009, 12:44:30 am

obsidian. about 4" long.
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/DSCF2417.jpg)
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/DSCF2418.jpg)
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/DSCF2419.jpg)
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/DSCF2420.jpg)

Title: Re: what should a newbie do with this?
Post by: DustinDees on June 24, 2009, 01:12:59 am

ive only been knapping for a few months now so if im wrong this post may be veto'd entirely. if thats 4" long, then its about 2" wide... id run it through a rock saw make some slabs to chip on. (a tile saw will work also, but go slow and make sure the water is on) im not very good at percussion yet, so i wouldnt even attempt it with that piece. just my thoughts.

Dustin D

Title: Re: what should a newbie do with this?
Post by: Newbow on June 24, 2009, 01:32:40 am

That's not an ideal piece learn on.  By the time you get it thinned you won't have much left.  On the other hand, if you can get it sawn you should get a couple nice long blades out it.  No saw?  Save it for another time and look for better stuff.  Go here:  http://www.sonic.net/~dbieling/obsmap.html  and you'll get a map of major obsidian sources in California and several are not that far from you.  Good luck.

Title: Re: what should a newbie do with this?
Post by: aaron on June 24, 2009, 12:04:51 pm

the other responses seem to answer "what can i make from this?", but as a beginner you should ask "what can i learn from this?" . you could spall it up with percussion, and use the spalls to do some pressure flaking . then get lots more. each time you sit down to knap, aim to learn something and make some gravel- you'll never be disappointed.  don't get attached to it, or agonise over what to do- just whack it . once you get the hang of it, making circles is a great way to learn- that is don't knap an arrowhead , just a circular biface. good luck!

Title: Re: what should a newbie do with this?
Post by: mullet on June 24, 2009, 03:06:24 pm

 Yep, a couple of lessons to learn with that piece. I'd learn how to drive to Home Depot, buy a small tile saw. And then learn how to slice a few slabs out of it. ;D

Title: Re: what should a newbie do with this?
Post by: cowboy on June 24, 2009, 06:10:18 pm

That would be a challenging piece to spall out and get a blade too. Like the others have said you can whack on it for practice and maybe come out with some workable spalls. Or saw it I reckon, don't have any experience with that. One things for sure though - your going to need a lot more ;).