Main Discussion Area > Flintknapping

flaking

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Hillbilly:
Depends on the silica content. I believe Alibates flint is actually silicified dolomite if I remember correctly. I've picked up some silicious limestone in TN that knaps halfway decent. Carpenter, are you talking about your spalls that you want to make points from breaking as they come off the core? You may be hitting them too hard or using too hard of a percussor to knock them off with.

cowboy:
Carpenter - that's a tough one. I've found that if your knocking off really good sized spalls that your grip has a lot to do with it. Set up a good platform and hold the peice on the side - if your hand is at the end of the cobble (where your spall will terminate) that will almost always cause it to break in half. Some of em just break - I certainly can't explain why :-\.

Otoe Bow:
See, I told you the experts would join in.  I missunderstood your question.  I thought you were talking about pressure flakes, not taking blade flakes off a core. 

Mike

carpenter374:
alibates is a silicafied dolomite. im gonna make a slightly lighter bopper and see if that helps. the one im usin weighs 10 oz. so i dont want to be touching the side that the blade sized flakes are comin off of? that could be part of the problem i have been layin the core flat on my leg.

mullet:
  Actually, heavier and slower will help more. Use a good follow through when you strike it and watch your hand support like Paul said.

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