Main Discussion Area > Primitive Skills
Copper knife: Archaic period nod
swamp monkey:
Zuma, most if not all copper was hammered out from a nugget. The copper melting process that was achieved by other cultures across the globe, was possible with the technology available to North American Archaic people. However, the question is did they? Most archeologists say North American natives didn't cast copper. I think they have great evidence to support hammering/annealing going on. However I read a paper on a copper atlatl weight where an X-ray revealed air bubbles you might better expect from a casting process. The paper admits their argument would be stronger with discovery of a hearth/furnace.
As for me, I am not weighing in on the cast /no cast argument. I simply used the resources available to me to get a blank to make tools. My experimentation is all about tool use.
Regarding copper purity. I really can't say. I am sure other people know more. I have no idea what difference the copper nuggets would possess compared to melted copper scraps .
Thanks for the discussion and kind words.
swamp monkey:
The knife handle end has been wrapped with sinew soaked in hide glue. I made a leather sheath for it. I borrowed an historic style sheath design that works well with finger woven belts. They were highly adept at textiles and finger weaving was a known skill. I have no idea if Archaic people used this type of sheath, I just chose what felt right based on their abilities.
Eventually I want to learn quill work and bling this sheath out a little.
Oh and I found the melting temp on Copper. 1984 degrees F
DC:
I've wondered about the hardness of copper. I can see it working well for cutting meat and such. Do you think you could whittle soft wood with it or would the edge just fold over. I've got a big chunk of copper I could experiment with but at the moment it's shimming up one leg on my lathe :)
swamp monkey:
--- Quote from: DC on December 20, 2016, 02:48:37 pm ---I've wondered about the hardness of copper. I can see it working well for cutting meat and such. Do you think you could whittle soft wood with it or would the edge just fold over. I've got a big chunk of copper I could experiment with but at the moment it's shimming up one leg on my lathe :)
--- End quote ---
DC I may be able to provide you with an answer. I will be doing some wood working with this blade. I will be working green wood and then some dried. I will post what i find.
My goal was to make a batch of tools I could use to make a mound builder inspired bow. If you look at my copper celt post you can see I cut down a tree and had no issues with deformation on the blade. The trick is to keep the edge more like a stone celt (con-curved) and to tool harden to copper. The knife isn't really consistent with the mound builders but I wanted to make one anyway and piddle with it. ;)
I am expecting the knife has similar requirements and limitations.
Now as for your lathe . . . I wouldn't want your lathe caty-wampus. ;D
YosemiteBen:
Very nice work Swampy!
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