Knapping my Second Point

[preachtheWORD]

Yesterday I got to sit down and make my second arrow point. I started with a rough obsidian spall. I am pretty sure that I am catching the knapping bug - I dreamed about it all night last night.

The second point was much easier since I got a handle on the basic technique with the first one. Still, it ain't nothing to brag about, but I am happy with it.

You can't tell from the picture, but the point is fairly short, maybe 1-1/4". The spall I started from was really thick on one end and I lost a lot of length working it down.

Here is my second point:
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

I started with an obsidian spall like this one:
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

[crashdive123]

Well done. I think it looks great.

[rwc1969]

That's pretty neat.

[preachtheWORD]

I would really like to try some different arrowhead styles. Does anyone know a good site that has pictures and descriptions of various Native American point styles?

EDIT: Just found such a site. The Virginia Department of Historical Resources has a site describing 44 different kinds of points.
http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/arch_DHR/Points/psumm.xml

[rebel]

That's a nice looking point.

Good site too. Thanks.

[canid]

looks great preach.

[hunter63]

Cool, nice work!

[rebel]

What little native American I have was from the northern Indiana area (like who cares) so, I went looking and found this site. Page 55 has the different point types. http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/files/earlypeople.pdf

[rebel]

I did a glass point a while back. It took me several tries before I got one to not break.

[canid]

same. it also took me dozens before i got to the point that i could finish one to my satisfaction without breaking every other piece.

[your_comforting_company]

PTW, try lithic casting labs .com
your second point is much better than my 20th lol. good job!

[rebel]

That's a great site! http://www.lithiccastinglab.com/
Thanks YCC!

[preachtheWORD]

your second point is much better than my 20th lol. good job!

Man, yer makin me blush. I am sure that I've got nowhere near your ability. Everybody on WSF knows you are the man when it comes to primitive skills. I have been very blessed to have a dedicated and patient knapping teacher. If I was by myself trying to figure it out I am sure that my progress would be much slower.

[Rick]

If I found that laying on the ground I'd think I'd found an original for sure. Very nice job!!

[hunter63]

I plain to see that the effort that went into making these as a matter of survival truly is a feat. Y'all are confirming that with every post.
I'm guessing that 99% of the population doesn't even know what they are, let along making your own.
Nice work!

Finding a couple of originals, personally, kind of gave me an appreciation of the labor and skill required, ....and the loss of a valuable tool.
It would be like you losing your favorite knife, or firearm.

These original points/tools were accumulated over approx 13000 years.

I often thought that 1000 years from now, some one is gonna find my aluminum "2117 Game Getter's" scattered all over central/northern Wisconsin, and conclude that there was a heck of a battle there. LOL.

Just a thought,

Lot of the posters that are on those sites are all over the walls at the local collage where I have been helping out the Archaeological depart, doing cleaning, identifying and recording artifacts from a local dig.

I sure if you look into it there are opportunities in your area, to learn and teach your crafts.

[your_comforting_company]

For the record, I break about half of them. My mentor is a bit of a woman chaser, so getting him over here to spend any good deal of time showing me anything is seldom and short. usually I ask a few questions, watch him flake one or two out, ask a few more questions and when 20-30 minutes are passed, he leaves me to my own devices. Progress is slow for me, but it gives more meaning to each point I find because I understand the dedication and talent and training it took to make each one. Craig can make them fast, but he's been knapping for 20+ years. Me less than 2..

Spend time with your instructor and you will learn much more than how to make points