Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: Thesquirrelslinger on June 30, 2013, 08:14:31 pm

Title: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on June 30, 2013, 08:14:31 pm
My next 2 points- one is actually a knife blade, the other a little point. Both smaller than the first point I posted.
(http://s20.postimg.org/m5wqv2eml/113_4083.jpg)
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: Mike_H on June 30, 2013, 08:41:36 pm
Not bad.  I still recommend you take a look at "From Beer Bottle to Arrowhead".  The link that I posted on the other thread and in the video description.  It seriously helps a lot.
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on July 01, 2013, 01:41:46 am
Not bad.  I still recommend you take a look at "From Beer Bottle to Arrowhead".  The link that I posted on the other thread and in the video description.  It seriously helps a lot.
agian, I did look at that. My next points(to be posted tommorow) will be following that tutorial. I like to make blades, arrowheads, etc. Just not triangluar side-notch. I prefer the form of the first point I posted.
Thanks!
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: bubby on July 01, 2013, 02:02:30 am
I don't see any pics
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: Mike_H on July 01, 2013, 09:10:15 am
Not bad.  I still recommend you take a look at "From Beer Bottle to Arrowhead".  The link that I posted on the other thread and in the video description.  It seriously helps a lot.
agian, I did look at that. My next points(to be posted tommorow) will be following that tutorial. I like to make blades, arrowheads, etc. Just not triangluar side-notch. I prefer the form of the first point I posted.
Thanks!

The techniques are used for all of what you mentioned.  It's basic knapping tutorial, not a step-by-step point type replication,  I've done corner and side notched as well as short knife blades using those methods.  It shows you how to get flakes to travel across the point.  Don't get too frustrated if you don't get them thin your first few times, that comes with experience.
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: JackCrafty on July 02, 2013, 02:20:02 am
You're well on your way.  Looks like you've got the knack.   :)
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on July 02, 2013, 10:34:26 am
I can sorta thin now, I just have to put the thing on its side, put a piece of leather under it(thick leather, more than 1/4th thick) and push sorta in-down on it to break a flake off. Its hard to control, sometimes I wind up breaking it.
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: Bugtussle on July 02, 2013, 02:52:05 pm
Something that helped me was that after I turned the edge (the stage you're at) ... I would abrade the platform and push straight in and try to "pry" a flake off instead of trying to "snap" it off.  Keep both hands lined up and use you legs to build up pressure.  I hope that makes sense.  For the more advanced knappers on here that may seem very obvious, but it was something that even though I read about it, I had to experience it to know how it felt.  I still struggle with thinning but every once in awhile I get one that ain't too bad ;)
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on July 02, 2013, 02:57:26 pm
Something that helped me was that after I turned the edge (the stage you're at) ... I would abrade the platform and push straight in and try to "pry" a flake off instead of trying to "snap" it off.  Keep both hands lined up and use you legs to build up pressure.  I hope that makes sense.  For the more advanced knappers on here that may seem very obvious, but it was something that even though I read about it, I had to experience it to know how it felt.  I still struggle with thinning but every once in awhile I get one that ain't too bad ;)
Yea, that makes sense. I prefer to knap in a semi-hard surface(usually a board of redwood or ceder, duct-taped to the deck railing) so I don't drive flakes into my hand(i don't have a hand-pad thingee). If I try to pry flakes off I generally wind up with a broken off flake.
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: stickbender on July 02, 2013, 03:03:01 pm

     Great!  Now get some beer, for material of course, and make some more, and when you get a blade, haft it, and then test it out, by slicing a nice batch of thick cut bacon slices...... ::) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ::)  What type of bottle (brand) did you use?

                                                  Wayne
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on July 02, 2013, 04:03:52 pm

     Great!  Now get some beer, for material of course, and make some more, and when you get a blade, haft it, and then test it out, by slicing a nice batch of thick cut bacon slices...... ::) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ::)  What type of bottle (brand) did you use?

                                                  Wayne
I dunno. I will ask my neighbor(he provides me with bottles)
2 issues with what you said- 1. I can't drink alcohol. 2. I don't like bacon.
Its a short, fat bottle. neighbor said his reason for not using the bottle was it doesn't hold enough beer(he makes his own beer and wine)
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: Mike_H on July 02, 2013, 05:25:24 pm

2 issues with what you said- 1. I can't drink alcohol. 2. I don't like bacon.


*jaw drops* Blasphemy!   :P
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on July 02, 2013, 05:56:44 pm

2 issues with what you said- 1. I can't drink alcohol. 2. I don't like bacon.


*jaw drops* Blasphemy!   :P
Dude, I am too young to drink.
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: Mike_H on July 02, 2013, 06:11:53 pm
I mean the bacon part.
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: stickbender on July 02, 2013, 09:39:33 pm

     Sorry, I just couldn't help throwing in the bacon remark. ::) ;D  But back to the beer bottle arrow heads, nice, keep em coming.  I was wondering about the straightness of the glass.  Most of the ones I come into contact with, have a curved bottom.
                                                    Wayne
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on July 02, 2013, 09:45:14 pm

     Sorry, I just couldn't help throwing in the bacon remark. ::) ;D  But back to the beer bottle arrow heads, nice, keep em coming.  I was wondering about the straightness of the glass.  Most of the ones I come into contact with, have a curved bottom.
                                                    Wayne
These do have a slightly curved bottom, but I take a flake out of the tip and don't make them too long, and I get a good flat piece.
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: Bugtussle on July 02, 2013, 11:36:05 pm
TSS... I get what you're saying about getting cut but you have a lot more control with a pad or something...  When I started I used a pair of old welding gloves then as I got more confident I started using just a leather pad... You could build one of those contraptions in the TBB III with the copper pipe or get some "no cut" (Kevlar) gloves that the police use.
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on July 03, 2013, 12:20:47 am
TSS... I get what you're saying about getting cut but you have a lot more control with a pad or something...  When I started I used a pair of old welding gloves then as I got more confident I started using just a leather pad... You could build one of those contraptions in the TBB III with the copper pipe or get some "no cut" (Kevlar) gloves that the police use.
Based on kelvar rope, broken glass, and chainsaws, I am going to say I don't trust any fiber for preventing cuts.
I do trust leather though, I use a small piece as a cutting pad.
But I totally agree with you about leather pad. Time will help me. I need to take a vid of my knapping so you guys realize how I am doing this.
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: Tower on July 05, 2013, 08:01:45 pm
I remember when my points looked like those. Keep it up & they will only get better.
Title: Re: Some more beginning flaking
Post by: papoints on July 05, 2013, 08:15:13 pm
I totally agree with Tower.  Just keep wailing on it.  If you are still using the file tang for indirect I thought of a suggestion for you to control your flaking a little better. If you rounded the tang I bet it would work better.  If it was me doing it I know those square corners would end up making a whole bunch of broken pieces.  :)