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Getting good at making gravel

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Buckskinner:
Well, I tweaked my shoulder a couple weeks ago, so I haven't been resting it from tillering so decided to give knapping a shot. Bought some dacite from Flintknapping Supplies, watched a bunch of videos and started breaking rocks.  I know Bjrogg said this sport is very humbling and man was he right, hardest thing I've tried to do with my hands.  I am in awe of the points that some of you guys are putting out!   

I've been watching the videos, it all makes sense, I can predict where next hit will be and how to hit it and it look so easily.  Then I grab a rock and eventually make a pile of gravel, although I feel I'm getting better with every rock I destroy.  I've been able to make some trinket heads, big clunking things and nothing that you could hunt with.  Trying to thin them is making me crazy by the way...  The 2 that are thin below came from flakes, so kind of cheating.

bjrogg:
Keep at it Buckskinner.

I agree. For me it’s the most difficult skill  I have ever learned by far. When you start making your gravel into something your getting somewhere.

Even when you know exactly what you need to do. You still have to do it exactly right.

Believe me. I still break points all the time

Bjrogg

gutpile:
dacite is a good material.. I practiced on old tv tubes and toilet tank lids.. some ceramic tiles.. very therapeutic breaking rock ..everybody makes small rocks out of big rocks.. you will get it.. warning.. it can be addicting ...its not cheating to make heads from flakes either..  gut

Allyn T:
Lol I have found no matter how much I read and "understand" doing it is a whole nother ball game! It is super fun though and it is the best feeling when you predict how the flake will go and then it actually does it. I've had a book by DC Waldorf for 2 years and every time I read it I understand a little more of what he is saying.

Buckskinner:
It is fun and frustrating at the same time.  I had a real nice piece going last night and had a marginal shot at getting a nice sized flake off of the center and I said to myself out loud "this is where I break it in half".  It broke and I learned something! :-K

I saw a video of a guy using primarily indirect percussion, I'm playing with that a bit.  Do you guys use that method?

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