Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: cowboy on April 09, 2009, 12:41:43 pm

Title: Making a Dalton.
Post by: cowboy on April 09, 2009, 12:41:43 pm

Thought I'd show my method of reduction starting out with a rock :). I like to go around the rock and stitch the edges which is simply to knock off chunks back and forth all the way around. This step produces good platforms for both sides. Then you can start your primary thinning, I sometimes get a little carried away at this point trying to get the largest spalls I can for arra points and wind up with a lot of my signature steps and hinges ;D. This ain't the best rock in the world but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.
 After spalling and shaping both sides, pecking the edges back and forth, back and forth, back and forth - well you get the idea. Then your ready for some Ishi action. I used different size copper boppers for the reduction by the way, ranging in size from about 3/4" to 1/2" you'll have a feel for when to go to a smaller size bopper after awhile. Several passes with the Ishi stick, and I use my carborundum abrader to help shape the peice as I go along. Once I'm satisfied I've done all the damage I need to with the Ishi, then I switch over to my small hand flaker. I kinda rough up the edges (just a little) with a fine abrader then pick all the little deltas back and forth - whatever side they need to go to to get the edge nice and straight. This last step is a combination edge straightening, sharpening, and symetry check. And voila! Entire process took about an hour - but can take years to learn the process ;).

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Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: cowboy on April 09, 2009, 12:44:26 pm

more.

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Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: cowboy on April 09, 2009, 12:47:03 pm

smore.

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Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: cowboy on April 09, 2009, 12:49:03 pm

 :)

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Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: Wolf Watcher on April 09, 2009, 01:29:49 pm

Paul:  Great for you to share your skills and knowledge.  I can see all kinds of points just out of the spalls!  Will enjoy watching you at the Classic!  Joe

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: xin on April 09, 2009, 01:51:03 pm

Cowboy,  Great looking Dalton!!!  Thanks for taking the time to show  how its's done.  Love to see the steps everyone uses in producing a point .  Looking forward tol  more of your" how it's  done" shows. Thanks again.

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: Timo on April 09, 2009, 03:55:38 pm

Cool stuff there C-boy! Wondering about how long it took you though? Dark,light, dark, then light again?LOL

Nice looking piece of rock. Thanks for posting.

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: cowboy on April 09, 2009, 04:07:28 pm

Thanks fellers - that was some good enjoyable therapy this morning.
 
 It did take roughly an hour to build Timo. Had some heavy clouds moving through this am with some sprinkles - oh, that just reminds me that we haven't had a drop of rain since I put the garden in two weeks ago. Missed us again darnit :'(.

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: TRACY on April 09, 2009, 04:20:06 pm

Thanks for the knap along Cowboy, much appreciated. You definitely have a gift!

Tracy

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: jamie on April 09, 2009, 07:36:02 pm

once again...awesome

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: koan on April 09, 2009, 07:46:13 pm

Sweet Cowboy! I still cant do it ::), but cool just the same, lol....Brian

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: mullet on April 09, 2009, 08:46:17 pm

  Thanks, Paul.

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: Hardawaypoints on April 12, 2009, 08:48:48 am

Nice point!  That is also one heck of a chip pile.

Jim

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: jreb on April 12, 2009, 05:37:22 pm

Great post , great debtage pile too i'd love to rummage thru it!

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: D. Tiller on April 12, 2009, 07:00:56 pm

Paul, now thats really cool! Think ya can help me make a nice flaking pad like that at the classic?

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: cowboy on April 12, 2009, 10:14:09 pm

Thanks again guys. That's my small debitage pile ::).

  Hey D, I could if I make it. I will send you the materials though. It's just a peice of conveyer belt with a peice of 10 guage metal JB welded to the back - oh, and the notch.

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: mullet on April 12, 2009, 10:44:22 pm

  Paul, You make it look too, easy!

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: cowboy on April 13, 2009, 10:40:37 am

It is easy on those good days - then there's that run of bad days where nothing's easy :-X. Guess we all have em..

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: jamie on April 13, 2009, 11:19:35 am

yup, broke my last 4

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: D. Tiller on April 13, 2009, 05:33:12 pm

Sounds great Paul!

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: n2everythg on April 14, 2009, 10:28:08 am

paul,
you make it look way too easy. but thanks for the pics and the build along.

tried to wack one out the other night and just couldnt get there. got it long but still have trouble with secondary thinning.
Ended up looking like a guilferd long and thick... errrrrr.

but thanks
later
wade

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: D. Tiller on April 14, 2009, 04:51:07 pm

I think Paul uses the whack it method for creating platforms. These are majorly important for further thinning. I use the shear it method for platform prep. Use a peice of copper and place peice on leg and sheer along the area for platform prep. use a downward twisting motion to get the right sheering going on. Works great on obsidian but dont know for sure how it works on flints and cherts!

David T

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: GregB on April 16, 2009, 08:16:50 am

Great looking point Paul! Dido on how easy you guys make it seem...I'd but yall would have been a valued addition to any Indian tribe going back a few centuries! ;D Wonder what they would have thought about one of your recurves? ;)

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: cowboy on April 16, 2009, 08:34:43 am

I dunno Greg, hmm. I imagine I would have to roll around in the dirt with a few of em to hang on to it and probably lost :-X ;D.

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: jamie on April 16, 2009, 09:44:23 am

hell, ill wrestle ya for one! :)

Title: Re: Making a Dalton.
Post by: cowboy on April 16, 2009, 12:23:13 pm

Hmm, lemme see here - where'd I put that can of spinach :D..