Main Discussion Area > Flintknapping
80 pounds of dry obsidian
Zuma:
If ya all have seen the big flake I posted for
tracker--- here is the skinny.
I was pretty sure it was Mexican black.
Didn't think it was as dry as it is.
It does not flake clean. There is always a
shatter effect with any blow or pressure flake.
It's like a mini explosion. I'll post what I have
done and welcome any advice.
1-- Rather than fill the ground somewhere with
glass I wrapped the big flake in carpet and
sheets to cradle the flake and confine the debitage.
2-- thought I had a good platform but was impatient
finding a good hammerstone. I think it was to hard
and I didn't use enough umph because of that.
Well here are a thousand words.
Zuma
Notice the jajed edges on the mini flake
Tracker0721:
Huh. I'd just keep hitting it till I got some sharp gravel.
But maybe that was too big of bite? Doesn't seem like it tapered out at the end.
Tracker0721:
Oh, that's just reflection huh?
Tracker0721:
I get a lot of the POOF on mine and I think it's mini fractures from who knows. Rolling down a hill, accidental strike, maybe it dropped. Use more force. Solves everything.
JackCrafty:
I've had unpredictable results with green/banded obsidian from south of the border as well. It's very brittle with lots of internal stress that can cause it to shatter in strange ways. I've got a batch that I spalled but I don't use it. I thinks it's at the bottom of my obsidian bucket so that's probably the reason I haven't thrown it out.
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