Christmas bird point...

[billy]

Here's a little Columbia River style bird point I just made out of cooked Coastal Plains chert.  The wings aren't as long and fragile as some others I've made, but then I was just playing around and not really trying to push the limit.  The serrated edges are super sharp...and I might just tie this one onto an arrow and try to stick something with it.  Sorry the point is a bit difficult to see cause it's almost the same color as the skin on my finger, but I wanted to have a size reference so ya'll could see its small size....

[mullet]

 Man, Billy, that is Sweet!

[bryan irwin]

coll little point billy.

[leapingbare]

You have better eyes the me Billy 
Well done!

[Wolf Watcher]

Billy:  You could have been a knapper in the Oregon Lake Culture as they made points just like that.  I have a collection of them and always tried to replicate them.  You do some fine work!  A/Ho Pokie

[Sparrow]

Pretty point and material. You do nice work.
 I see alot of those washed out of the columbia river banks,especially from Umatilla down to Hood River. Most of the time,they have a broken wing,The best looking ones usually just washed out of some burial along the bank.  '  Frank

[HoBow]

That is nice!  Are the bird points harder to make than the larger points?

[StevenT]

I met Billy at the last Tenn Classic. I watched him work for a while and he gave me some help making small points. First, I can tell you that when it comes to these type of points, Billy is a master. Second, I can tell you from experience that you pretty much use the same knapping techniques on a small point that you do on any other point. Setting up platforms, following ridges, etc. As for difficulty, in a way it is harder. Things are much smaller. If you have difficulty setting up platforms or picking out ridges on a normal point, reduce the size and it gets even that much more difficult. And the tools you use are smaller and it takes a total different touch. For me, knocking a point out of middle of a piece of rock is difficult all in itself. Picking a small point out is just as difficult. However, if you knap like I do, you get a chance to work with small bird points a lot. I get them from the pointy end of my larger points after I bust them in half.

Billy....  Nice point!

[billy]

HEy guys, thanks for the compliments.  And no Jeff, I actually find these small points are easier for me to make than the larger points.  My percussion work is really not that good.  I used to be better, but over the years I've focused on making small arrow points like these for hunting, so that is what I've gotten proficient at.  I really have no need for large blades or spearpoints, unless someone wants one or I am making a skinning knife for myself...then I just make them more utilitarian.  If you were good at making large bifaces then that would probably be easier than making small arrowpoints with long, fragile barbs.  I guess it all depends on what you get used to making and how much practice you devote to the particular type of work you do. 

[Keenan]

Sweet Billy. 

[piper]

That's extra fine.......................Curt

[JackCrafty]

Wow...very well done and very small.  Love the material.