Thinning With Pressure

[Tower]

The base is pretty easy to thin. I bevel it to the flatest side first & lightly grind. Because I'm flaking on the flatter of the two sides I didn't need my flakes to travel. Very far. When I start thinning I run my flakes from both edges to the center. Doing it this was leaves me a platform & median ridge to take a long thinning flake in the center, if necessary.  Then I flip the point shape the base & repeat the same steps. From corners to center. Now the point should be symmetrical , thin, & ready to notch.   The first 3 pics are before thinning

[Tower]

These are after the base thinning. Ready to notch.

[Tower]

First I decide how I want to notch the point. Since I'm partial to corner notches that's what I will try & do. First I make small indentions where I want the notches to start. I have the notch platforms alt beveled.I take one flake at a time & flip the point after each notch.repeat&repeat. Notching both sides together will help keep the notches even. If at any time during the notching process you don't feel absolute about the platform stop & make it right. When there not setup right the odds of failure ( breaking ) seem higher to me. Always come straight in to the notch W/ the pressure flaker a twist in your wrist might break the tang.  I don't know how else to help everyone except in person. Maybe one day! I hope this thread helps someone out there.   TOWER 

[Tower]

OK, here is the finished point. Its 1 3/16 wide, 2 inches long ,&1/8 in thick. 76.9 grains. Georgetown corner notched point.  Thank everyone for reading. TOWER.

[jackcrafty]

Very good explaination.  Truely fine work!

[iowabow]

Well written post and very nice point.  I learned a lot.  I am going to a knapin this weekend and I am going to give the 3/4 inch bopper technique a try. 

[jamie]

great post tower

[mullet]

 Great! Thanks alot. Those are some clean, straight, notches.

[gstoneberg]

Yea, I look at those deep notches and marvel at the skill.  Super.

George

[Tower]

I thank everyone for their responses but I'm only trying to mimic the masters of old! There are knappers of skill that amaze me on this site! Serrated points that make me drool! I hope my style helps someone.  I've seen knappers grow in 6 or 8 months in leaps & bounds. If my style helps It will make my day!  Hopefully one day I will meet everyone on this site. Tower

[iowabow]

Tower this was a real help I have incorporated the the holding of the percussion bopper and removal of thinning flake with it into my technique.  This helps prevent over powering to remove mass during the  pressure flaking phase and has reduced the occurrences of over shot.  So thank for the post.

[gstoneberg]

Tower, any chance you could put up a couple pictures of your primary tools when you get a minute?

Thanks, George

[bowtarist]

Damn Dude that's a nice point!!  I'd like to see the tool you used for the notches.  Nice play-by-play post.

Thanks, dpgratz

[mullet]

 I second the last post. I'd like to see your notching tool and abrader.

[iowabow]

I third that post!