Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: iowabow on June 04, 2011, 10:27:35 am

Title: learning the hard way
Post by: iowabow on June 04, 2011, 10:27:35 am: this post relates to the other one about the difficult point I made yesterday. I learned something the hard way yesterday and thought I would share how I knapped my fingernail. Now some may laugh and some may learn but this technique really burned. I think the picture kinda explains it all but basically I missed the stone and caught the nail.
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb423/Iowabow1/1307188916476.jpg)
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb423/Iowabow1/1307189380901.jpg)
Title: Re: learning the hard way
Post by: cowboy on June 04, 2011, 11:52:50 am: Yep, that bites. Been there done that. Mostly these days i just carry some bandaids with me for the heavier spalling where i inevitably will spring a few leaks - you'd think i'd put on a glove ;).
Title: Re: learning the hard way
Post by: Bill Skinner on June 06, 2011, 08:16:04 pm: I usually cup it in my hand if possible. If that picture isn't posed to show the technique, you really ought to get a leg pad, you just think your finger bleeds bad, wait until you drive a flake into the top of your leg. I have hammered them through a thin leather (worn out) leg pad with no problem. Bill
Title: Re: learning the hard way
Post by: JackCrafty on June 06, 2011, 08:23:29 pm: ;D
Title: Re: learning the hard way
Post by: FlintWalker on June 06, 2011, 08:43:04 pm: Stuff like that is why I knap "free hand" with only my tip of my middle finger under the platform. Only the big heavy stuff gets rested on my leg. Very many mistakes like that and you'll find a better way of doing things ;)
Title: Re: learning the hard way
Post by: sailordad on June 06, 2011, 10:53:18 pm: looks like my style of percussion
except i dont wear shorts
i dont use a leather pad at all either
just my jeans and at times a thin old terri cloth towel ;D
cant say ever knapped my thumb nail
looks like it hurt
i would try and avoid that in the future ;D
Title: Re: learning the hard way
Post by: iowabow on June 07, 2011, 12:17:20 am: I normally use the leather so this was just for a demo of the event not the actual event. knapping nails puts a stop to all knapping activities until it heals. I went to the conservation visitor area to view arrow heads in the display case that day. No other visitors were there so i ask if I could knap in front of the display case (so I could make a copy) and they were real cool about it. The lady ranger asks if she could keep the chips and the point on loan for discussions with groups that were coming through this summer. I worked on the point till they closed and hit my nail just before I left so I have not been able to finish the point.
Title: Re: learning the hard way
Post by: FlintWalker on June 07, 2011, 12:20:51 am: "Aiming isn't hitting, hitting isn't getting" :D Sorry...I just had too
Title: Re: learning the hard way
Post by: iowabow on June 07, 2011, 01:30:32 am: true ture ! I knap like I shoot!
Title: Re: learning the hard way
Post by: Tower on June 07, 2011, 01:41:57 am: If - had a dollar for every fingernail I've pealed back , flake I've driven into a body part , or knuckle I've hit...I'd be better off! Remember knapping has a learning curve that comes the old fashioned way!!!!IT'S EARNED,No entitlements!
Title: Re: learning the hard way
Post by: sailordad on June 07, 2011, 02:24:59 am: Quote from: Saw Filer on June 07, 2011, 12:20:51 am
"Aiming isn't hitting, hitting isn't getting" :D Sorry...I just had too

now thats funny right there ;D :D
Title: Re: learning the hard way
Post by: iowabow on June 07, 2011, 09:14:01 am: Even funnier thing is that I did this maybe a month ago but could not figure out how I hit my thumb. I thought I injured it by smashing it but for the life of me I could not figure how! See I thought it was injured like as if you hit it with a hammer I just could not figure out how the stricker bounced back up and hit my thumb.