George,
Yeah, it's challenging, that's for sure.
It's hard looking back (because I don't want to remember) but I had entire weeks where I could do nothing but break everything in half. Sometimes it was at the beginning and sometimes it was just when I thought I was done. When I was the most frustrated I would give up and make bone arrowheads instead.
Soon I would miss the stone and go back to knapping. I'm not so sure I was missing the stone...I guess the best way to describe it is that I didn't want the stone to "defeat" me. How can other guys make an arrowhead in 10 minutes on youtube and I couldn't do it in 10 hours???
The turning point came when two things happened:
1- I found the technique and materials that "worked". I kept the tools, stones, and methods that worked well (for me) and put all the other stuff aside. Eventually I got rid of all the "bad" stuff and de-brainwashed myself.
2- I stopped thinking too much and started letting my hands and eyes take over. My brain gets irritated, frustrated, moody, ticked off, and just downright stupid. My hands and eyes just get tired after a while. That's it.
Oh yeah, I guess I should also put in a third thing:
3- I make sure that I take a knapp-nap before I go out back.
Edit: Bad habits will creep in when you're not thinking. I guess I do make a strong mental effort to NOT do certain things...like hitting too hard when thinnng the base or tip.
