Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => ABO => Topic started by: AncientTech on November 10, 2015, 02:20:25 pm

Title: Video: Obsidian HATCHET manufacture using Hammerstone
Post by: AncientTech on November 10, 2015, 02:20:25 pm
https://youtu.be/MKMnkWeiy-Y (https://youtu.be/MKMnkWeiy-Y)

This guy might actually be faster with a hammerstone than Marty Rueter.

By the way, some evidence suggests that flintknappers used to kneel, and lay the biface on top of their knee, on a pad.  Today, since we use chairs, we are more accustomed to sitting upright, in an elevated position. There might be more possibilities, with the knee pad method... 
Title: Re: Video: Mexican Obsidian Worker using Hammerstone
Post by: caveman2533 on November 10, 2015, 02:32:04 pm
He is not thinning it much.
Title: Re: Video: Mexican Obsidian Worker using Hammerstone
Post by: Hummingbird Point on November 10, 2015, 05:33:49 pm
I would have to agree with caveman.  It looks like he is stuck in what Callahan termed learning Phase B, which he summed up as "the biface would become narrow at about the same rate as it would become thin" while most knappers are trying to get rapidly to Learning Phase C, where "the biface would become thin at a more rapid rate than it would become narrow."

But, not judging the man based on one short video clip, and he beats me in that doing work on obsidian with no protection, I would have been on my way to the hospital at the 33 second mark. :-\

Keith
Title: Re: Video: Mexican Obsidian Worker using Hammerstone
Post by: nclonghunter on November 10, 2015, 05:46:10 pm
Lol...now I know I am in phase B.....sort of like having a sickness and not knowing what it is called.
Title: Re: Video: Mexican Obsidian Worker using Hammerstone
Post by: AncientTech on November 10, 2015, 07:29:43 pm
He is not thinning it much.

He is making a hatchet.   
Title: Re: Video: Mexican Obsidian Worker using Hammerstone
Post by: AncientTech on November 10, 2015, 07:30:35 pm
I would have to agree with caveman.  It looks like he is stuck in what Callahan termed learning Phase B, which he summed up as "the biface would become narrow at about the same rate as it would become thin" while most knappers are trying to get rapidly to Learning Phase C, where "the biface would become thin at a more rapid rate than it would become narrow."

But, not judging the man based on one short video clip, and he beats me in that doing work on obsidian with no protection, I would have been on my way to the hospital at the 33 second mark. :-\

Keith

It is a type of hatchet that they sell in tourist shops.  It is not a biface.
Title: Re: Video: Obsidian HATCHET manufacture using Hammerstone
Post by: caveman2533 on November 10, 2015, 10:36:38 pm
That's fine in which case he did a fine job. It's also in Spanish so it's not apparent until near the end that he is making a hatchet. I would like to see what he can really do.
Title: Re: Video: Obsidian HATCHET manufacture using Hammerstone
Post by: nclonghunter on November 10, 2015, 10:58:28 pm
Sharp enough to skin a fish with, seen it right off.
Title: Re: Video: Obsidian HATCHET manufacture using Hammerstone
Post by: AncientTech on November 11, 2015, 07:19:51 am
Notes on hatchet manufacture:

:32 - explains that you cannot only chip one side - the joke is that you have to thin both sides, otherwise you create a turtleback
1:01 - he does not recommend using a hammerstone that is neither too hard, nor too soft
4:12 - explains making a platform on the opposite side of a thick area, to remove the thick area
7:32 - He explains that the price of the hatchet would cost about 12 pesos, which is about .80 cents US.  But, if it is more detailed, it would cost more.  This piece is considered "rustic", but maybe a knife could be more expensive and have better detail
8:32 - If I detail this really good with a piece of deerhorn, the cost could double.  I would need to use a piece of deerhorn or copper to remove smaller flakes