Flintknapping - Beginners Part 5

http://www.flintknappers.com/store.php?sid=Ng%3D%3D
This video series is available on DVD at the above link.
This part of the series discusses fracture mechanics, a scary word, but useful information to understanding how to control the flintknapping process. Shows Hertzian and Bending type flake initiations, platform edge angles and relation of edge to centerplane.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Flintknapping
• paleoplanet
• lithics
• clovis
• arrowhead

[delphispolaris]

Where do you get your materials?

[paleomanjim]

@delphispolaris I travel long distances to collect my own rock, Oregon, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Arizona, etc...I go through a lot of rock....

[paleomanjim]

@delphispolaris Most of my obsidain comes from Davis Creek California and Glass Buttes Oregon.

[mtgdustin]

///what is the reason for abrading????

[paleomanjim]

@mtgdustin Abrading is done to add strength to the edge. It is important to just abrade the part of the edge that makes contact with the percussor or pressure flaker. The goal is to abrade the platform just enough so that it does not collapse, but not so much that it becomes too strong and wont release the flake. So the amount of abrading or edge dulling is adjusted depending on the tools used, more abrading for copper or hammerstones, less abrading for antler of softer tools.

[flabluby]

i live in socal so i use mainly quartz for arrowheads, but my problem is i always get stuck on thinning out the rock, any ideas?

[paleomanjim]

@flabluby If you are using quartzite or quarts crystal both can be very tough and hard to thin out. Careful attention to platforms and lots of practice should help thin your points...., there just no short cut to thinning

[strongmanzack]

@paleomanjim did you get your obsidian in Oregon? Thansk for posting these videos! Very cool! very user friendly!

[TheGrimdoor]

you sure may have taught millions how to survive... if 2012 is true. hahaha

[usmcmajormichael]

i like the video thicks for the info sir :)

[Clearly69]

I'm having trouble releasing long pressure flakes. I tilt the rock to about a 65/ 75 degree angle and knapp downward and usually get 1 long flake and the rest about a 1/4 to 1/3rd of the total with.

What am I doing wrong?

[firecall2785]

i lol'd at the end XD