Author Topic: My NM-ABO ideas, techniques and tools (Read 17741 times)

iowabow · « **on:** October 21, 2015, 09:17:41 am »

This is a post about my journey through non-metal Aboriginal knapping. As I Knap I will introduce issues that I encounter and how I find my way down the path to a finished point. I have been knapping every morning now for awhile and will try to blog out what I have learned for awhile.
So today the topic is keep it "square" . Primitive people often created bifaces or tools that were retangles. This process of reduction will provide you with more options for thinning as the biface is created. In the picture below on the left is an artifact I picked up from a site. The others are forms I created. The second one from the left was from today. Sometimes you need to just knock off the tip and thin that piece.

Zuma · « **Reply #1 on:** October 21, 2015, 06:30:48 pm »

When I find gun flints they are rectangular.
I have been thinning from the tip for a long time now.
More like flute flakes rather than full square.
Is the abo piece on the left broken/snapped off.
Looks like a break on the bottom? Could just be shadow?
Zuma

iowabow · « **Reply #2 on:** October 21, 2015, 07:48:48 pm »

He or she Knapped it almost flat

nclonghunter · « **Reply #3 on:** October 21, 2015, 11:27:41 pm »

The square preforms are interesting. Not sure why but I have always worked my preforms in a round or hickory leaf shape.

iowabow · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2015, 05:46:08 am »

Yes me too for a long time but now I kind shoot for that square form if possible.
So this morning's post is a combination of square biface, twisted spall, and bulb of percussion reduction. The photos should explain but if they don't please ask questions.
The first set of photos were taken after crunching the edge to a square like form.

iowabow · « **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2015, 05:50:14 am »

This is the biface before preform.

iowabow · « **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2015, 05:58:49 am »

My thought on why this technique for reduction was used comes from a problem in the twisting of the preform. When pressure flaking near the tip, when the tip is pointed toward the thumb, the preforms wants to twist. This happens because you are pushing hard to reduce mass. Reducing the mass before the preforms phase means that this issue never becomes an issue. Square bifacing allows for a larger surface to be held this technique allow you to remove mass from three sides not two. With a leaf form you only have two options.

iowabow · « **Reply #7 on:** October 22, 2015, 08:57:58 am »

Flint knappin everyday presents its fair share of obstacles. As you work the cuts start to accumulate and flakes find there way to other cuts and deepen them. I am much more cautious now to prevent reinjuring wounds.

nclonghunter · « **Reply #8 on:** October 22, 2015, 09:05:53 am »

Cool stuff....I always say "If you aint bleeding, you aint knapping"

iowabow · « **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2015, 09:08:41 am »

Update on the bit use in the ishi stick. These are the products of the new antler bit in the ishi stick. I have placed a number of stones under the bit to raise it. Note on this practice...the bit wants to wiggle a little causing the platform to collapse prematurely. The solution was straw or heavy dried stalk of grass to take up the gap. There is some material left to continue making more points. Total count coming in the future.
Note there has been no reshaping of bit. It is being used as seen.

Spotted Dog · « **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2015, 11:33:29 am »

If I could learn to do the triangles , I'd be happy. At least for a while.

iowabow · « **Reply #11 on:** October 22, 2015, 12:33:57 pm »

This is the easy stuff trust me. After you get this part down then you can tackle the harder parts.

iowabow · « **Reply #12 on:** October 23, 2015, 09:19:46 am »

This morning was a spalling session. First the rock and the setup. Raw Burlington and hammer stone.
T high spots on the stone were removed so that flakes could travel smoothly without encountering mass. Large flakes were planned for reduction. Edges were stretched to remove cortex and created by face. The heat will now penetrate the thinner flakes during heat treating.

iowabow · « **Reply #13 on:** October 23, 2015, 09:21:45 am »

Continued

iowabow · « **Reply #14 on:** October 24, 2015, 10:20:57 am »

Last night and this morning's work. The bit made about 30 points and now I have a new one. This taught me that grey or white antler will make as many points as white with my Burlington. Seen in the photo is a knife blank and a couple preforms an a nice biface. This work was with less refined chert