Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: Mike_H on July 13, 2013, 04:21:20 pm
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Ok, I like abo and all, but I do my best work with copper pressure flakers. I will be devising an experiment with raw copper nuggets purchase online after I move and get settled. I will be using primitive techniques to work the raw copper into rods for pressure flaking as well as probably making some large ones as "hammer stones". There is ample evidence from Europe and some from the Mississippi Valley as well as Minnesota (don't quote me on that). With that said, the copper tools I shall be making will be abo tools, none can say really different. I might also try to replicate copper artifacts found at Cahokia Mounds as well with primitive tools.
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I think it is a great idea and saw on paleoplanet that it is considered ABO in that form. Sound like a fun project. So welcome to ABO world!
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I want to make sure that my tone in the last post is not misunderstood. I was sincere in that it is really a cool idea.
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As a guy who has done very little knapping it seems to be a debate. If someone gives me all the tools be it antler and bone or copper and some workable rock I would be :) Once I am proficient w copper I will play w ABO. Either way is a bit challenging to the newbie. I presume that copper will take less maintains so in the future I see me having both sets of tools but using copper most as I would rather spend my time making heads and blades and less time on tool maintains. It is the same with my bows and arrows. I use modern finishes to reduce maintains of archery equipment
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Iowabow, I've been abo for the last two years. Just feel I do better with copper. Thus I figured on doing abo copper. I also use hammer stones and antler billets and not copper boppers for all my percussion work. The only difference is my pressure tools. I understood the tone, no worries, and love the vids.
twisted hickory, I think it is best if every knapper learned both tool types, but that's just me. Though I never used a copper bopper in my life....
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I personally don't give a tinker's damn what any body else uses whether it be stone, bone, copper or marshmallows! If it works for you and you're enjoying it, great! I use whatever works and I'm more than happy to expand my options when I'm shown a new way for me to do it. As far as the higher maintenance bit goes, I don't see it. I have used the same whitetail antler billet for three years now. It just keeps getting better with use and zero maintenance. That's why I use it. The solid copper boppers probably would be comparable in longevity, but the copper cap types sure weren't. I guess what I'm trying to say is, use what you want or have. If someone tells you what your using isn't what they think you should use, tell em to go pound rocks! Then pick up your tools and do the same. I'm interested in learning as many techniques as I can. All the debating over this subject does is detract from the learning experience. Here's my old antler billet, plain simple and beat up. I don't use it because I think I'm above using copper. I use it cause it works for me with no maintenance whatsoever. Rant over. Josh
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I agree Gun Doc. It is mostly a "just for the hell of it" experiment. Really just think it'll be fun and want to see how copper could have been worked with stone age tools.
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I am in with Mike and Gun Doc ...have fun and post what you find interesting so we all can learn from the experence. That is what I am doing...heck I hand out copper boppers for free!
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Mmmmmmmm, marshmallows.
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If course I will. I do a video series on my youtube channel to document it. If I can find a source for raw copper that is already down there, all the better.
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No debate here ;) chip away with whatever floats your boat, but post pics :D
Tracy
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I am so going to find a way to knap with a marshmellows
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I am so going to find a way to knap with a marshmellows
You just missed your opportunity! While you cook your rock, you put the marshmallows on a stick and hold it over the fire. After a couple dozen of em and you crash from the sugar high, you are then ready to nap! >:D. Josh
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I am so going to find a way to knap with a marshmellows
You just missed your opportunity! While you cook your rock, you put the marshmallows on a stick and hold it over the fire. After a couple dozen of em and you crash from the sugar high, you are then ready to nap! >:D. Josh
LOL!
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+1 for what Gun Doc and everybody else said... :)
But Iowabow got me to thinking with his "ulna" post so today I cleaned up a deer ulna and dried it in the oven and i am going to let it sit on the patio to age. Never did ABO knapping but it looks fun plus I think it will be priceless to see the looks on every bodies face at one of the spots that I deer hunt, when I reach down on the ground and pick a nice piece of chert and pull out a deer ulna and start wailing! :laugh:
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I just try to chip points to hunt with. Actually, I do it when I get tired of working on bows, powder horns, walking canes, and etc. ::) And this conversation comes up every three or four years when someone has an Epiphany. It is about as boring as, what is a "primitive" bow.
And when it comes to YouTube or having to hit a link to Photobucket,,I don't have the time.
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Mullet, I'll fo photos as well posted here. It's not an epiphany, just somthing I want to try and share.
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I use copper for the most part but do my big spalling with hammerstones when i need the extra weight.I live in Fla and the use of bone/antler is tricky because of the humidity.I keep my bone boppers in the AC and it helps, outside and they get funky.I find that copper has less shock to my ol' wore out elbow and at my age less pain is gain.Rock on with whatever gets it done
Bone pile
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I agree, i began my knapping adventure all abo. now, I'm mostly all copper. I do use a little antler, & all my spalling with large stones. I think stone produces better( larger) spalls. I kinda like the back & forth between copperheads & the Neanderthals. ;)
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I agree, my spalling is much better with hammer stones than with copper. Not sure why. With everything else I use copper.
George
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steel ;)
I just use whatever, I don't really care. I would happily use antler or copper.
I don't have either.
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This may be off the subject or maybe not, but the other day I was in the pit w/ a Buddy and he likes to make preforms with an antler billet. That's as far as it goes. Then he hands me the biface/preform, whatever you call it. I really like knapping w/ the guy. anyway, he grabs up a big piece of Texas rhyolite and I tell him to use the ballpeen, he says, nah, and goes at it with his whitetail billet. I was amazed, he was drivin big ole flakes off that rhyolite. I busted up a copper billet on it, and used the peen, but never drove flakes like he was doing. He spalled out two or three big chunks of rhyolite like they were blade cores. Got a bunch of blde/flakes from those rocks. Thought I'd put that out there for thought. Now I leave my high-speed connection. Good day and good night, dp