Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: gstoneberg on August 12, 2012, 12:31:37 am

Title: Dacite - Love It
Post by: gstoneberg on August 12, 2012, 12:31:37 am
I have a precious little bit of dacite.  Every now and then I take out a spall and remind myself how nice this stuff is to work.  The piece I picked up looked like a blade off a core, both ends were pretty curved.  Had to lose a little length to get the preform flat but then there was a ridge down one side the entire length.  I really didn't want to lose the width it was going to take to get the edge turned so I could drive flakes through it.  So, I set up a platform on the point and went for a flute...

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7762490782_8d7132467a_z.jpg)

Did I say how much I love this stuff?  Once the high ridge was gone it was reasonably easy to make a hunting point out of it, came out 125gr on the button.  Stemmed points are fast becoming my favorites.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8284/7762493094_85ba4f6852_z.jpg)

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/7762491936_49638963cd_z.jpg)

Wish I had more of this stuff.  OK, back to flint.

George
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: Tower on August 12, 2012, 12:54:52 am
That's a fine stemmed point George! One to be proud of!
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: nclonghunter on August 12, 2012, 02:21:38 am
Very nice point, I too like dacite. Just do not have access to it in NC. At least not in that quality.
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: bubby on August 12, 2012, 04:18:28 am
sweet one George, Bub
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: jamie on August 12, 2012, 10:09:35 am
fantastic job george
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: Stringman on August 12, 2012, 10:37:18 am
Beautiful work on that piece. Great flaking!

Scott
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: Sparrow on August 12, 2012, 11:43:34 am
Very nice point. Love Dacite !  '  Frank
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: crumrw on August 12, 2012, 12:25:51 pm
Man, George your points are coming out fantastic!  After coming back after a few months off, it's amazing to see how much better you've gotten at flintknapping!

I apologize I wasn't able to get out there yesterday.  I had to do some work in the garage in the morning, and the heat got to me.  I had a BAD migraine the rest of the day...bummer.  We'll make it happen soon though, now that I have a vehicle. 
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: JW_Halverson on August 12, 2012, 03:54:27 pm
That is a beautiful point.  The first photo reminded me of the work that flintknappers did to make gun flints.  They would drive longer versions of that piece, and then chop it into segments...the best having a functional edge on either side. 
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: gstoneberg on August 12, 2012, 04:36:19 pm
Thanks all,

I apologize I wasn't able to get out there yesterday.  I had to do some work in the garage in the morning, and the heat got to me.  I had a BAD migraine the rest of the day...bummer.  We'll make it happen soon though, now that I have a vehicle. 

No problem Ricky, I didn't get home from hog hunting until 4am yesterday. I was a zombie for much of the day.
Any time you can get here will be great.

George
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: maddog314 on August 12, 2012, 05:50:36 pm
Verywell played!!
Micah
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: Bone pile on August 13, 2012, 11:36:13 am
Black butter ,one of my favorite materials to work.You made a killer point ,nice job
Roger
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: mullet on August 13, 2012, 11:50:47 am
Nice one, George.If you want some dacite contact Brian Melton, (vinemaplebows). he's sending me a box this week.
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: JackCrafty on August 13, 2012, 01:11:34 pm
Very nice. 8) 8)
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: seider on August 13, 2012, 07:49:38 pm
That is a nice.  You did it good..
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: gstoneberg on August 13, 2012, 08:21:16 pm
Thanks everybody.  I went back out last night and got a rude reminder of how easy the dacite was.  First I busted into a chunk I got from Cipriano and was pleasantly surprised with what was inside...

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8297/7770827644_e30343f747_z.jpg)

From there on it went downhill as it was so round on one side I could not get an angle to thin it.  I pretty much have a flint tennis ball now. :-[

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8288/7770825388_ee1d110d41_z.jpg)

So I grabbed a larger cobble and had a nice preform started, hoping for a blade when...

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7246/7770823860_075ec2d6e4_z.jpg)

I snapped it.  I think I hit just a little too high and with raw flint like that I was really swinging. Interestingly enough, I got the thinning flake I wanted, which also broke in half.  Weird.  I'm sure missing that dacite now.  Might go look for another piece of it. :)

George
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: bowtarist on August 13, 2012, 09:18:39 pm
MAN, I bet that felt good when you drove that ridge off!!  Great Looking Point Too!   dpg
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: Jimbob on August 14, 2012, 12:33:04 am
George, that Dacite looks good. 
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: Josh B on August 14, 2012, 03:22:45 pm
That's a nice one George!  I haven't tried dacite yet.  I might have to get some.  Josh
Title: Re: Dacite - Love It
Post by: gstoneberg on August 14, 2012, 08:20:34 pm
Thanks guys. Roger really captured the essence of dacite, it's black butter for sure.  It is easily the nicest to work stone I've used. It makes me feel like a better knapper than I am.  Good stuff, get some if you can.

George