Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: Muskyman on December 24, 2023, 05:29:09 pm

Title: How thin is thin?
Post by: Muskyman on December 24, 2023, 05:29:09 pm: I have seen where people mention some kind of ratio for a piece they are working on.. just wondering what you guys call thin enough. I think I might be trying to make my points too thin, maybe. I’ve never tried to measure them, just kinda going by feel.
Title: Re: How thin is thin?
Post by: RickB on December 25, 2023, 12:01:31 pm: No thinner than these :KN

(https://i.postimg.cc/Wb8w5yV5/Capture.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Title: Re: How thin is thin?
Post by: Muskyman on December 25, 2023, 08:51:54 pm: That’s mighty thin Rick but, ruffles have ridges so I might go with them. I guess I’ll have to go with what I saw jack crafty post about a point he was making. I’m thinking it was 8 to 1. Guess I’ll have to get my micrometer out to see where some of mine are at.
Title: Re: How thin is thin?
Post by: paulc on December 26, 2023, 12:10:55 pm: I think 1:8 as super thin and a pretty advanced knapper but I have been wrong a couple times :-) It certainly is a good goal but personally I would be happy if I could consistently get a 1:6 point that was a full 1" or more wide. I can get material down to 1/8" thick all day long but it is too narrow to use as a hunting point imo. fwiw Paul
Title: Re: How thin is thin?
Post by: Muskyman on December 26, 2023, 06:13:16 pm: I’m actually trying for about an inch wide or a bit wider Paul. I think here in Ohio you have to be 7/8 minimum width. I think 1/8 might be a little too thin for obsidian but not flint. One of the many problems I’m having now is I’m getting one side that I can’t thin down. Getting better but not there yet. Seems like every piece has one side that ends up thicker than the other.. at least I’m not turning every piece into an aquarium turtle now.. if I could figure out the indirect stuff I think that would help. I really need to commit to practicing with that.
Title: Re: How thin is thin?
Post by: Allyn T on December 28, 2023, 08:25:36 am: 8:1 is a very thin ratio. I don't really measure my points I just thin until it looks good to my eyes.
Title: Re: How thin is thin?
Post by: Muskyman on December 28, 2023, 03:18:51 pm: I agree 8 to 1 is pretty thin. I had one looking pretty thin and I figured I’d measure it. Turned out to be about a quarter inch measuring with a micrometer. It was still 2 inches wide at the base. But of course I destroyed it.😡
Title: Re: How thin is thin?
Post by: JackCrafty on January 02, 2024, 12:03:42 am: Most artifacts fall within the 3:1 to 5:1 width to thickness ratio. Anything 6:1 or better is considered "thin" by most standards.