trouble thinning

[Spotted Dog]

I can't seem to get thinning process down. I abrade , set up platforms . Still get short flakes

[caveman2533]

Bevel your edge so that it is more to one side than in the center. Then abrade and push the flaking force nearly parallel to the plane of the point, removing flakes from the side nearest the bevel.

[iowabow]

Bevel your edge so that it is more to one side than in the center. Then abrade and push the flaking force nearly parallel to the plane of the point, removing flakes from the side nearest the bevel.

Good input

[nclonghunter]

May be the angle if you are abrading and setting up platforms correctly. The more 90 degree to the edge the shorter the flakes..not saying that's is it, just maybe.

[le0n]

are you using a dull antler tine?

i believe dull is ok if the diameter of the tine is relatively small, but if you have a medium-sized tine, it may have to be dressed a little to help drive the flakes further.

[Spotted Dog]

I may have to quit for a while. Doing this is really causing problems with the disability I have.
Lots of pain last night. I hate this stuff. Can't work any more. Can't hardly do a bow either.
Feels like my neck slips up against spinal cord.

[le0n]

listen to your body.

rest up.

and when you're ready to get back to it. there are some knapping jigs out there that might give you the freedom to knap.



they use a leverage system to generate the needed energy. it's like using a cheater pipe.

[Spotted Dog]

Hey thank you.
That just might be the ticket. I love primitive things and do not want to give up on learning.

[le0n]

don't forget the indirect percussion methods either.

go watch a few of patrick's (JackCrafty) videos on youtube.

it may not be for you, but it is an avenue that you might want to test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9ogJ9AZPW4

front view:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=capGa8Mr-mU

good luck!

[Spotted Dog]

Brother,
thank you for the help. I am grateful. I need to be able to stand or sit straight without
dropping my head too much. That and raised backward creates mega pain.
It seems the jigs are for sawn preforms. I am not against that at all. Just
want to learn and use what I make.  I may have to go back to copper but
will still strive for abo. Nonetheless I would be knapping.

Grateful Dog

[Ed Brooks]

some advice that I heard and seemed to help me out was to use the thin end of your stone as the back of the point. So when you're narrowing down the tip (thick end) it will thin out at the same time. Good Luck and have fun. Ed

[Spotted Dog]

Beginning to understand more. I have been holding my piece to tight and not allowing the
flake to run farther. The videos  JackCrafty are a very big help to see what I am doing wrong.
That in itself will help relieve the amount of pressure I have been doing. That part really hurts.
Do not work harder , work smarter.
If there is someone close to the Kansas City Northland that would be cool too.

[le0n]

Do not work harder , work smarter.

^^ yep.

i too want to learn his technique. his videos are extremely informative. i suggest watching as many of those as you can. i like his glass point videos too.

[Spotted Dog]

I was out in the garage and remembered a long straight antler tine. Indirect work.

[le0n]

^^ you'd laugh if you could see what tools i'm practicing my indirect work with.

i'm getting the hang of it. man do you get some good results and you can easily clean up those problem areas.

needless to say, it's still dangerous. i completely missed today and came down on my thumb nail with my striker, hah hah.

if you haven't already done so, check out these videos:

part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzjsg1gXLC8
part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVPQtavdsNQ