Main Discussion Area > Flintknapping
how sharp can a rock be, anyway?
cowboy:
Stringman: You should learn how to knap on any kind of "free" glass you can find for starters. I imagine theirs some kind of rock in your area that would work, prolly down in the creeks or maybe in a cuttout along a highway or backroad. Thunderchert (toilet tanks) is tough but will teach you a lot, TV picture tubes are great to work with because their so thick and have that smoked glass look - makes your flakes stand out a little better.
Otoe Bow:
I learned on Johnstone, then cut my teeth on Paul's concrete potatoes ;D. I then got some heat treated rock and treated some of Paul's rock and what once was hard is not pretty simple. I think if you learn on the tough stuff, you learn good techniques and hopefully not too may bad habits.
Mike
Stringman:
All good info, and much appreciated! I consider myself a quick learner and therefore don't really wanna waste around on "junk glass" -(no offense.)
Being a central Illinois flatlander what I would really like to hear is, are there any others in my area with the same problem. Is chert gettin more and more scarce or are they just makin the price ridiculously high for the fun of it?!?
By the way I just got stitches from a "dumb 'ol rock." Gonna leave a pretty little scar!
d:^)
cowboy:
Glass is good to learn with - just like obsidian. I have read that chert is among the most abundant natural resources on the planet - knowing where to find it is almost one of life's mysteries ;D.
jamie:
be careful if you learn on the hard stuff. many a time i have worked texas concrete and then switched to obsidian only to drive a flake straight through 2 thick pieces of leather and into my palm. again ...its sharp. peace
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version