Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: jayman448 on June 10, 2015, 02:07:27 am

Title: two latest and first crack at obsidian flake
Post by: jayman448 on June 10, 2015, 02:07:27 am
was at an archery tournament last weekend and shot worse than i ever have... o well, but i sat down with a guy i know a knapped a birdie (my specialty) also a question for u i guess. why would one ( this guy i know) prefer basalt over obsidian to work with ??????
Title: Re: two latest and first crack at obsidian flake
Post by: bronco611 on June 10, 2015, 09:27:06 am
more durable and less band aides?
Title: Re: two latest and first crack at obsidian flake
Post by: mullet on June 10, 2015, 10:09:44 am
Easier to tell when you cut yourself :-\.
Title: Re: two latest and first crack at obsidian flake
Post by: Chippintuff on June 10, 2015, 12:37:51 pm
I rarely work obsidian and glass now because I do cut myself more often with it, and mistakes on it are more often disastrous. Also, I almost always end up with a piece that is entirely pressure flaked when I use obsidian or glass. Those patterns are pretty, but I like more variety. Basalt seems to be slightly tougher, and mistakes on it are less disastrous. That's just my take on it. A lot of knappers, especially west coast knappers, prefer obsidian over everything else.

WA
Title: Re: two latest and first crack at obsidian flake
Post by: Zuma on June 10, 2015, 03:13:05 pm
Since you know the guy , why not ask him? :)
I am not sure what basalt you are talking about?
Can you explain as I would imagine there are way different grades of it.
The basalt around my way is mighty tough.
I guess it's what you grow up on or do well with.
I really like obsidian but my eyes don't. I hardly ever get cut
as I don't smack it as hard as cherts.
thanks Zuma
Title: Re: two latest and first crack at obsidian flake
Post by: jayman448 on June 10, 2015, 09:32:31 pm
I did ask. Haha. All he offered was "its easier. I cant work that obsidian"
Title: Re: two latest and first crack at obsidian flake
Post by: Ghost Knapper on June 10, 2015, 10:18:40 pm
Very nice points, I prefer anything over obsidian personally. I don't like all the little slivers that seem to make there way into my hands.