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 3, 2011 19:32:42 GMT -5
A couple of weeks ago, Woody offered me a box of some of his awesome Oregon Buttes material. He ended up sending me some fabulous chunks of super glass. I was a little hesitant to try knapping any at first, because my skills are not yet great enough to produce consistant results, so I had a friend at work pop me out a few thinned blanks to work down. This is a piece that Woody labled as Aroura Borialis, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect of the sheen, but it magicaly popped itself out as I made the point. It is about 3 1/2" in length. I could not believe the colors and layers - I wish I could find just the right light, as the pictures only show about half the color as you can see in person. One side is from base to tip, and when you flip it over, from tip to base in reverse. The colors are silver to purple to blue to green. If I counted right, there are 16 bands through the entire piece from base to tip. It is so cool and awesome, and by far my best and favorite point to date. Thanks Woody!! This stuff is awesome!! Dave
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 3, 2011 21:53:22 GMT -5
Nice work..........................
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 3, 2011 22:37:30 GMT -5
Who says your skills aren't great ? That's a beautiful point. I have points that I've collected in the field that aren't as perfectly shaped as that one.
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prairiedog41
starting to shine!
Member since October 2009
Posts: 35
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Post by prairiedog41 on Nov 3, 2011 22:50:05 GMT -5
Ok, here comes "dumb" again on my part. You said "so I had a friend at work pop me out a few thinned blanks to work down." Are you saying you had your friend cut you actual slabs that you then knapped on down to the points in the photos? I wasn't aware that you could knap from a slab. I always thought that you had to start with more of a thicker "chunk" and the cleavage would finally work it down to the thickness. It seems like a slab would wind up too thin by the time the cleavage broke off.
-=W=-
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prairiedog41
starting to shine!
Member since October 2009
Posts: 35
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Post by prairiedog41 on Nov 3, 2011 22:53:51 GMT -5
By the way.......those are GREAT lookin' points. Very nice work!!
-=W=-
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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 4, 2011 0:27:43 GMT -5
Thanks guys!
Prairiedog- By "popped" I mean that my friend spalled off some pieces with a hammerstone and then did the first set of heavy thinning flakes for me. I have a problem with thinning my own pieces and usually end up ruining alot of good rocks. I can do great with light hammerstone and pressureflaking, so he kinda just gets them started for me. As far a slabs go, they are an excellant way to get great blades and points started, and also saves alot of wasted material. I like to work with slabs that are between 3/8"-1/2" thick and the hammerstone work is mainly for shaping, and pressureflaking for finish. You tend to get longer, flatter blades and points this way. Sometimes it feels like you're cheating though, but the end results are better for me at least.
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Post by Woodyrock on Nov 4, 2011 0:36:29 GMT -5
Dave: Try photographing the Aurora Borealis in bright sun, You will still have to chase the colour around a wee bit, but they will photograph brighter. BTW, very nice point!
Prairedog:
Me, being cheap, I knap nearly all my blades, and points from slabs. There are two basic methods of knapping from slabs, the first is termed Lap knapping where you cut, and grind a flat preform from your slab, then knap it. This takes a wee bit of practice to get a good oval section without steep shoulders. You will have to make two of three passes to get it thinned down. The second is termed FOG (Flake over grind) where you go one more step with your preform, and grind off the surfaces to get your thinning before flaking. This method only takes one pass to fully flake the point. There are some good U-Tube videos on both methods, as well as DVDs.
Have a look at some of the knives I have posted to see what Lap knapping looks like finished. Woody
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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 4, 2011 10:02:13 GMT -5
Looks like you are doing good with your knapping. Time and Tonnage!
Good chipping, Michael
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prairiedog41
starting to shine!
Member since October 2009
Posts: 35
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Post by prairiedog41 on Nov 5, 2011 0:34:52 GMT -5
Well Woody and Dave, you both gave me more educating than I bargained for and that is great! This forum keeps me entertained with all the different things that are happening, keeps me informed of what and where to go and keeps updating my knowledge and techniques. Just can't beat that........
So thanks to you both for the latest info and advice.
-=W=-
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Post by Toad on Nov 5, 2011 8:41:28 GMT -5
Awesome material, but your work is fantastic!
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Nov 5, 2011 20:57:30 GMT -5
That's an awesome point Dave! Nice work!
Nate
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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 6, 2011 4:10:12 GMT -5
Thanks Woody, Michael, Toad and Nate!!
Prairiedog - Most everyone on this forum has all the advice and tips/tricks one needs, and they offer it freely to anyone that asks. You cant find a better group of people than here at RTH, and thats why this is my favorite place on the internet!!
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Post by Woodyrock on Nov 6, 2011 18:17:58 GMT -5
The only thing that beats this group on the internet, is meeting up them in person. Quartszite this year was great with all the RTHers showing up. Woody
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