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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Nov 7, 2011 11:38:26 GMT -5
I've got some Flint Ridge material that I'm going to slab. I'll be slabbing some for myself for cabs, but thought I would slab some for flint knappers. How thick should they be for knapping?
Or maybe that's a stupid question because knappers generally with blocks?
Thanks! Chuck
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,456
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 7, 2011 18:54:04 GMT -5
I'm far from a skilled knapper but with obsidian I like slabs about 1/4" thick for a projectile point, knives thicker. For flint, I'm still knapping tent pegs that are too darn thick and don't start with slabs ( use spalls or thin nodules) so I don't know what the best thickness would be for flint but I do know it's hard to work unless heat treated first......Mel
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knapper42
starting to shine!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 36
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Post by knapper42 on Nov 7, 2011 21:10:00 GMT -5
a good rule of thumb is 6 to 1 width to thickness. knapper
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dtcmor
freely admits to licking rocks
Back to lickin' rocks again!
Member since May 2006
Posts: 898
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Post by dtcmor on Nov 8, 2011 5:35:34 GMT -5
Im with Mel. Obsidian is easier to flake than flint, and about 1/4" is good. For flints, agates and jaspers, I would suggest 3/8" to 3/4". It also depends on the size of the slab, but also the size and type of artifact you are trying to replicate. Knapper's ratio is great for most size and style points and blades.
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 356
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Post by mjflinty on Nov 8, 2011 8:12:07 GMT -5
Flint Ridge can be knapped in slab form but, it has to be heat treated first. Most knappers will slab it about an inch thick so it can be percussion flaked; rarely do you get a piece that is good enough to only pressure flake (this would be a 1/4 thick slab). Here is a link to Roy Miller's YouTube, he shows you everything from start to finish at Flint Ridge. www.youtube.com/user/RoyMillerFlintRidge click on all video to see the heat treating tutorial. Michael
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Nov 8, 2011 13:14:38 GMT -5
Thank you all for the education! Maybe this is a case where I should stick with what I know and slab for cabbing... Chuck
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