Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: Ryan_Gill_HuntPrimitive on July 26, 2013, 11:11:42 pm

Title: Retired billet knife is finished
Post by: Ryan_Gill_HuntPrimitive on July 26, 2013, 11:11:42 pm

Well, I went ahead and made a knife from that retired billet. I decided to do a complete abo knife. I soaked it in water over night and then took about an 2 hours to waller out the notch by hand using only stone tools. I knapped the blade out of FL chert with my new billet, but the stone tools used were all knapped with the retired billet. Took a considerable amount of energy to eat that antler away, but I got it done.  After getting a good tight fit, i heated up some pitch and set it in really tight. I wrapped tight with sinew and let dry.  I decided to coat the sinew with more pitch to waterproof it. I knew if I used hide glue I would battle using the knife on skins or anything wet...so despite not looking as nice, I came away with a totally abo knife, made with all stone age tools and set with out any modern glues. I am surprised at how strong it actually is.  Kinda wishing the lashings were "nicer looking", but I've made a ton of knifes that are modernly made and look great, so this one I wanted totally abo start to finish.

Title: Re: Retired billet knife is finished
Post by: JW_Halverson on July 27, 2013, 12:15:20 am

Looks like iowabow is going to be presenting you with your ABO Master Badge at the next meeting.

Great way of respecting a tool that has given you so much of itself.  Mucho mojo.

Title: Re: Retired billet knife is finished
Post by: bubby on July 27, 2013, 01:38:36 am

You honored that biker instead of retiring it to the scrap heap, did it justice too

Title: Re: Retired billet knife is finished
Post by: cowboy on July 27, 2013, 05:47:17 am

Looks good mr Ryan! Hopefully you'll get years of service from that one.

Title: Re: Retired billet knife is finished
Post by: YosemiteBen on July 27, 2013, 03:49:07 pm

very nice! you can use a heat gun to glaze over the pitch and leave it shiny if ya want to.

Title: Re: Retired billet knife is finished
Post by: iowabow on July 27, 2013, 08:15:28 pm

JW and I will be sending you something in the mail!

Title: Re: Retired billet knife is finished
Post by: Ryan_Gill_HuntPrimitive on July 29, 2013, 10:16:00 am

thanks guys, I appreciate it. the good part about it, when I wear that blade out I can heat it up and insert a new blade.. A hand should last a very long time!

Title: Re: Retired billet knife is finished
Post by: 4dog on July 29, 2013, 10:42:18 am

Gonna try my Jedi powers,,,,,,,"You dont really need this knife,,,,4dog needs to own this knife,, i think i will send it to him",,( mystical tinkling in background) .

Beautiful work on that knife man!

Title: Re: Retired billet knife is finished
Post by: AncientArcher76 on July 31, 2013, 05:45:13 am

Great job on that and nice looking stone too!


Russ