ubermenehune
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2016
Posts: 293
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Post by ubermenehune on Aug 11, 2016 19:07:21 GMT -5
Picked up some obsidian and would like to learn knapping. Probably going to continue watching Youtube videos and dive right in.
I see that flint knappers use copper tipped tools. Are these necessary? Are there other household items I can use as a pressure flaker? I'm a cheapskate and would like to avoid buying tools if possible.
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Post by orrum on Aug 11, 2016 22:22:31 GMT -5
Watch Freeze Cracked u tube. Watch teenage caveman. Flint knapping is all Physics. Her tian cones, angles, pressure, and most important.....If you ain't bleeding you ain't knapping. Have bandaids and superglue. Watch beer bottle knapping and practice on beer bottles first. Make tools out of 1/4 inch copper ground wire, buy a foot at Lowes and shove bit into a hole drilled n2 a broom stick. Hammer the tip square to harden it and file a point, dull the point snd start makin gravel!
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Post by spiceman on Aug 11, 2016 22:57:32 GMT -5
I went to the flint ridge show this spring they showed me a tool made of angle iron to make knapping easier. Easier to hold the flint and a good surface to strike with a hammer. I do remember him telling me that you need to strike the tool just right or you will break the piece. A good sharp strike all the time. Sounds like a technique that takes lots of practice. Most of those people been doing knapping for 15 years or more. Going back in September of this year.
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 356
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Post by mjflinty on Aug 12, 2016 8:12:06 GMT -5
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 12, 2016 12:39:50 GMT -5
I found paleomanjim to be the best tutorials, especially the tool making. made my first arrowhead last weekend at the NW federation show out of potch opal. I am taking a class at the rockhound retreat in a few weeks, need to get those tools made. Can you guess which is mine and which was a gift from the instructor?
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Post by orrum on Aug 12, 2016 12:53:50 GMT -5
Good statt! Where do u get the opal potch? I knapped a greenish piece last year and it was awesome to work with!##
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Aug 12, 2016 15:03:44 GMT -5
Got some common opal slabs from a member from Oregon if I remember and it was really nice to work with. Look for copper nails on line or in hardware store, they make for great flaking tools.
Just Googled E-Bay, there are tons of em !
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 12, 2016 22:26:19 GMT -5
I made a few flaking tools today, got some copper in 1/4 inch and some other closer to 3/16. I used a hammer handle and some pieces of a mop handle, tomorrow I get copper end caps and try for some boppers. orrum how long should a ichi stick be? What else do I need? Spallers and hammer stones?
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Post by orrum on Aug 13, 2016 3:17:47 GMT -5
My ishi stick is 14 inches but some are a couple inches longer. Minebis made from solid delrin rod from Graingers. B sure to wrap copper wire etc around the first inch or so of your stick or the pressure will break the copper rod out. Use 3/16 for the ishi stick. If you can hammer a flat side into the copper rod on both ends. Put the one end in a vise, put the other end in a drill and twist it. Hang on snd twist it all you can. If it twist in two that's ok. This work hardens the copper rod greatly. Your copper bopper need about a quarter inch of lead poured into them. Take the end cap and put it over a wooden dowel with the end rounded and beat it to conform. Leave a small flat spot in the end of the copper bopper. Epoxy it on. Use a round handle for pressure flackers. It let's you aim the energy better. Don't forget a nice hammer stone to do big breakage. Oh about Campbell soup can size but rounded and with a flat side. Rounded river rock works good.
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Post by orrum on Aug 13, 2016 3:31:32 GMT -5
U need a broken fine and course Silicon Carbide piece for your abrader. Abrader is your friend! One foot square leather pad to protect your leg, bandaids and super glue for cuts. You need a notcher, broom handle with small finishing nail in it sharpened. You need a hand pad, hard rubber with a slanted notch abd backed with really strong leather. This is used to lay the preform on and use the pressure flackers to drive a notch off without tge pad holding the flake on. Make the notch about half a inch wide and going in on b s 45 degree angle. Small 6x6 leather to fold and protect your hand when doing fine flakes or to wrap and hold the point when you are going to make a freehand flute like on a folsom point. A five gallon bucket to hold your gear. A feed bag cut open to lay out and catch your flakes. Broken points make interesting tumbles. Hammerstones in various sizes from Campbell soup down to golf ball size. About 4 with a flat side. Sandstone like so they will grab at the point to pull a flake. One about 4 inches and made of really hard stuff like quartzite to knock the heck out of a stubborn area. Handpad can be plywood with leather glue on.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Aug 13, 2016 5:40:53 GMT -5
HaHa! That's one of those lists that grows longer the more you think about it. Happens to me at the store every time. 'Nah, not gonna need that cart, I'm sure a basket will do...'
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 13, 2016 10:11:25 GMT -5
When it comes to tools, no list is too long. Right?
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Aug 31, 2016 23:22:12 GMT -5
All I can say is BECAREFUL, that stuff can be surgical sharp!but sure is fun to do an interesting how simple and effective the tools and the deadly final product, can you imagine the arrow flying in the air almost like a stealth bomber of its time, a silent hardly seen killer,striking from the air.scary!"BE SAFE AND don't forget the band aids an glue!
P.s Don't forget the bandaids!!!!!!!!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Sept 1, 2016 22:17:49 GMT -5
Great points
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,666
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Post by Fossilman on Sept 2, 2016 9:24:28 GMT -5
Learning to knap Obsidian for the 1st time-prepared to get sliced a few times! Wicked material for sure....Nice stuff when finished though...
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2016 10:23:15 GMT -5
Please don't forget good eye protection!
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Post by Rockoonz on Sept 2, 2016 12:06:51 GMT -5
Good statt! Where do u get the opal potch? I knapped a greenish piece last year and it was awesome to work with!## I got the potch from the guy who taught me, might try some virgin valley potch at the class if my skills get to the point that I dare try.
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Post by Rockoonz on Sept 2, 2016 12:08:02 GMT -5
Yep, I don't do anything without the trusty bifocal safety glasses, wouldn't be able to see what I was doing anyway. Getting a big box of bandaids and some sugar packets today, a little granulated sugar on a small bleeding cut and it stops the bleeding pretty rapidly. Made up a couple boppers, an ishi stick, some flakers and a paddle billet. Class starts Tuesday, we'll see how it goes.
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Post by orrum on Sept 2, 2016 12:38:17 GMT -5
Good luck Rockoonz!
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Post by Rockoonz on Sept 2, 2016 17:44:53 GMT -5
Tools so far...
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