Flint knapping
Hey all, i need some help. I've got a good shape out of a piece of chert, but can't seem to thin out the edge. its about 1/8 of an inch thick, but when i go to pressure flake the edge, it takes a flake off the whole side and keeps the edge square. Any suggestions?
A couple of things that have helped me (I'm still learning) it to make sure my flaking tool has a good edge. (I use copper ground wire that is inserted in in a wooded dowl with abou 3/8" sticking out) The other thing that has helped me is to not hold the stone flat on my leg and push down, but rather angle it up a bit and try to picture myself pushing (not chipping) a flake that will reach the center. Doesn't always work that way, but it works better than it did before.
Just tried that, and had no luck. Anything else I could try?
Other than keep on practicing, I'll have to leave it to the more experienced knappers.
Are you abrading the edge of the rock?
Keep your copper pressure flaker filed pointy if you are doing tight work like it sounds you are doing.
Are you using a hand bench or leather pad in your palm?
Post a pic.
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This is what i'm using to knapp the chert
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This is the piece of chert that I think would make a good knapping piece
While that antler probably makes a good billet, it does not (IMO) make a good flaking tool. If that is what you are using for your flaking, that may be why you are having a problem.
Crash hit it.
Go down to homedepot to the wire rolls and get the thicker of the two grounding wire. It's copper, cut off about two inches, drill a hole in a hardwood stick about 1 1/2 inches deep. Insert the copper grounding wire, then file it to a point. Keep the flaker pointy.
You will be amazed.
I found some copper nails in the basement will those work?
Copper nails will work just fine.
Good Luck.
Tried it, and found the nail just scratched the stone. Didn't make even a single chip. Pushed all my weight on it and it wouldn't make a chip. I had it sharp enough to stick my finger, and dull enough to be a rounded point. I couldn't get it to work.
Flanders - while nails work (I've used them on some smaller points) you made need to be able to apply a bit more force. In post #8 FVR described the method that I use. I put the section of ground wire into a section of oak dowel. I have two - one is about a 6 inch section of dowel, the other is about a 2 ft section of dowel. The larger, used between my arm and body - I can generate a bit more force than I can with my hands - especially when my arthritus is acting up.
I think I may have a tool to work. Quick question, does it need to be copper?
Not sure. I've used galvanized nails for some smaller points. Copper was what I was taught though, so I use it.
I've used horse nails for fine work.
My pressure flakers are long, about 1 to 1.5 feet long. I knapp between my legs and use my legs to generate the pressure rather than the arms and shoulders. I also use a hand bench so I can hold the piece of rock perfectly.
I will ask again, are you abrading the edges of the rock prior to pressure flaking? Basically you are taking a river rock and running it over the edges that you are going to flake. This enables the pressure flaker to grab the rock.
Oh i'm sorry, i must have missed your question. No, i'm not, i had no idea you were supposed to, That would make sense tho as the point is just sliding off the edge. So how do you abraid the edge?Originally Posted by FVR
Get yourself a river rock. Prior to pressure flaking, run the rock up the edge, it will flatten out, don't over do it. Just run it a few times up the edge. This will allow you to get a good flake.
I use an old piece of a grinding wheel.
Im a more of an intermediate knapper. Im not sure what you intend on making with it ( I don't read the past replys to this thread), but it seems you got the basic shape layed out on it. A sized piece like that would make a good small saw for cutting in notches on arrows and such (got one back in my room, been using it for months), or a penetration arrowhead. Maybe a good skinner once you get the edges out. Or a good scraper for slightly soiled bows. I would suggest maybe instead of fine pressure flaking, you turn to a very small stone or copper headed ballet to remove (as carefully as you can) downward angles of stone. This usually works for me when I work with Obsisian, and produces a nice sharp edge, but it may be hard for you since your working with such a small piece. Or if this seems to challenging, maybe you should pressure flake the outer edges of the rectangle to slowly flake out an edge. Just do that at a downward angle.
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