Main Discussion Area > Flintknapping

Obsidian gathering tips?

(1/2) > >>

Sagebrush:
Hello all.  I am somewhat new to the arrow making game and very new to the arrow head making game.  I have a few bits of obsidian to play with, but I know I will need more.  I only live 3 hours from glass butes and was going to go stock up when the covid restrictions in Oregon are eased a bit.

What signs of quality and things am I looking for in raw hunks of obsidian.  What should my selection algorithm look like?  I don't want to come back with boxes of unusable material.  Thank you in advance.

Ryan Jacob:
It’s kinda hard to tell the quality of a rock without cracking it open, spall some of it off first to see what the inside of the rock is like.

mullet:
Everybody I know that goes to Glass Buttes says you will not have a problem looking for good Obs'. There are large flakes and spalls that other people have left and when you get your permit they give you a map to the different colored sites. I like the Burn's Green the best but I heard that pit has been dug around 40' deep and is to dangerous to go in. Be sure you take a big hammer and pry bar.

Sagebrush:
Thanks for the tips.  My knee ligaments are requesting I not get to crazy with the climbing.  Is this something that I want rocks the size of softballs or basketballs?? Yes very new to this end.

mullet:
Personally I'd load as big as you could carry.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

Go to full version