Two Texas tabs

[1442]

this first one I did a couple days ago. Ive started cutting out the shape I want to make out of paper to use as a reference during reduction. The simple cut outs really have helped me to progress at determining reduction strategies, and I can get bigger preforms out of rocks than if I just went at it willy Nilly like Jim Winn said in one of his videos I've seen.
I like paper patterns for the fact that I can whip out the sizzors and trim it down some to match the rock if the rock gets smaller than the pattern during all of this too. That's one of them FYI things that's good to know incase you desire to try this and cut the pattern too big to start with and just don't know it until later when it becomes obvious.
Here's the rock and the pattern

[1442]

This is the direct percussion preform

[1442]

pressure flaked to smooth contours and set up a fluting nipple.
Fluted with a Solberger jig

[1442]

The flute went too deep near the tip where the tip end was too thick. It turned back towards the surface and terminated exactly where I wanted it to, but the dip took away a lot of rock that I really wanted to still be there.
Pressure flaked the flute back onto the point then set up to flute the other side

[1442]

first pic shows how I beveled the tip towards the side to be fluted.
Second pic shows the results of improper technique while fluting.
Every thing seemed perfect and I had just the right amount of pressure built up on the lever and when it was time to lightly tap the bit to release the flute, For some unknown reason, I hit the bit so hard it could have cracked a tennis ball and destroyed it just like that..

[1442]

Here is tab #2
This rock has a crack near the base that is still there a little bit. I plan to pressure flake the preform, smooth the contours and hopefully get past the bottom of that crack and flute it tonight.
This is the results of direct percussion last night.

[1442]

Several small fossils showed up in reducing this rock. I'm hoping that the flutes will cut through and expose some fossils, and go to the tip on both sides too

[1442]

this is a fossil that was exposed on the surface of the rock

[1442]

FAIL

[bjrogg]

Always enjoy watching your threads 1442. keep on knapping  and thanks for sharing the ones that don't quite go as planned. . It always amazes me how efficient you are with your rock.
Bjrogg 

[Parnell]

That's very interesting to see.  That flute run-off on the first one is amazing to look at.

[1442]

Thanks for the comments,
Parnel, that beautiful smoothness of the flute scar is just mesmerizing to me.

Im gonna do Rehab on a tab next.

BJ, I like to post a small portion of the breaks that these rocks do while I'm trying to knap them. I don't know if they just git scared and fall apart or what happens but they break all of a sudden and then the finger gets pointed at me like it's my fault.
Drives me crazy sometimes

[bjrogg]

1442 I'd be scared if I was them. But man they sure must be proud when they hold it together
Bjrogg

[JEB]

That last one is some nasty rock. Great job

[Sasquatch]

Man the first flute is awesome!!! What kind of jig did you use? 
Also are you in TX?