Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: caveman2533 on December 15, 2013, 05:05:31 pm
-
Since winter time has rolled into the Northeast and my quartzite and argillite stash is buried under freshly fallen snow. I have turned to the grinder again. I have built myself a super grinder. 11 stacked tile saw blades which eats rock like candy. Really shortens up the time for the rough grind of the blade. It is cold in the shop also so after an hour with the kerosene heater it is pretty comfortable. A bucket of warm water and I am ready to go grinding, The last warm spell we had I was out with the tile saw and cut a whole pile of preforms, so I am set for a while. Here is a shot of some of my recently finished blades.
Clockwise from the red blade which is Fenton slag, Dark green Burns, Goldfield jasper, pink and green Fenton slag. ruby/raspberry Fenton, Wyoming Oil chert, Mexican green, Georgetown, and AZ Basalt.
(http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee414/caveman2533/Flintknapping/blades_zps7c039431.jpg) (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/caveman2533/media/Flintknapping/blades_zps7c039431.jpg.html)
Then I made the best blade I have ever done, nicest flake pattern, from the best material Mexican Velvet obsidian, and promptly dropped it on a stair step to the basement. Initially survived the fall landing on the butt of the blade, but when it fell over, it snapped. I wanted to cry, I might just yet.
(http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee414/caveman2533/Flintknapping/bestblade_zps0628eaf7.jpg) (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/caveman2533/media/Flintknapping/bestblade_zps0628eaf7.jpg.html)
(http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee414/caveman2533/Flintknapping/brokeblade_zps78f9790e.jpg) (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/caveman2533/media/Flintknapping/brokeblade_zps78f9790e.jpg.html)
I was given two chunks of jasper to saw, heat and biface this summer for a client. This is the first two bifaces I got from the slabs. Heated to 500. Very nice material.
(http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee414/caveman2533/Flintknapping/jasperbiface_zps577a64f1.jpg) (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/caveman2533/media/Flintknapping/jasperbiface_zps577a64f1.jpg.html)
-
Nice Steve I see I'm going to have to make a road trip so we can play.
-
8)
-
Cools stuff Steve! I will get there one of these days..I have loads of chunky high grade ny chert that's ideal for slabbing...wheres that q and argillite pile I will dig it out... :o ;) ;) ;)
Russ
-
Jeeeesh! Those a perrrrrty... Love the grey one at 7 o'clock, love them all...
-
That's a fine job of pressure flaking for sure!
-
Some nice work! Too bad about that blade.
-
Beautiful work. I haven't worked slabs much, but I shore see the efficiency of the idea. Lot less waste.
-
super glue that blade back it will be fine...I have done the same thing...lol
-
Very nice, pretty patterns.
-
Thanks guys for all the great comments. Flake Over Grind I am discovering is not as easy as it seems., The main goal is to make a neat even pattern. As slight change in the smoothness of the surface or the bite on the edge by the flaker can make the pattern be off then, the blades don't look as nice. It is about perfection for me. The broken blade was one of the nicest patterns I have made. altho the knife I am making for the Christmas exchange is just about as nice.
-
Great work. :)