Author Topic: Turtle Backs (Read 6170 times)

Hillbilly · « **Reply #15 on:** August 01, 2011, 05:59:54 pm »

Build a strong, steep platform below the center line on the humped side and take off some deep flakes. You'll lose some length or width, but if you don't back flake to move the platform way down on the humped side and get the mass off, you'll just keep reinforcing the turtleback.

Timo · « **Reply #16 on:** August 01, 2011, 06:03:10 pm »

Just noticed that hillbilly had the same idea I had, only I went the other way.

What he said, and you can get that mass off. Here is the way I would attack it.

Outbackbob48 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 01, 2011, 07:30:08 pm »

I like to build some convexity on the flat side an thismoves your center line closer to the hump side, Then get agressive when you go after the hump

iowabow · « **Reply #18 on:** August 01, 2011, 08:53:30 pm »

Real hard to explain. There is a great video that is sold at three rivers archey of a guy that flint knaps in a cabin and shows you how to keep both ends from reducing size. His name starts with an H. I will be knapping tomorrow and I will look for the worst turtle back I have and post here the process including failure or success. I normally save them for when I get to the end of my supply.

Outbackbob48 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 01, 2011, 09:56:08 pm »

I used to have a great video on square edges an turtlebacks, I believe Mike Santiago and Mark Bracken did the video. Now if I could only remember who I lent it too.

iowabow · « **Reply #20 on:** August 02, 2011, 01:29:51 pm »

Ok I pick the worst stone I could. This piece was not heat treated and has some frost cracks on it.

iowabow · « **Reply #21 on:** August 02, 2011, 01:39:52 pm »

iowabow · « **Reply #22 on:** August 02, 2011, 01:53:46 pm »

I shot five more flake off that ridge from the same direction. This what it looks like now. I am working the ridge so I can run long flake off later.

iowabow · « **Reply #23 on:** August 02, 2011, 01:59:03 pm »

Setting up a reverse platform.

You can see in this picture 2 sides that offer now platfroms.

iowabow · « **Reply #24 on:** August 02, 2011, 02:05:02 pm »

I then start removing ridge flakes this is were we will lose the frst deal on the end.

iowabow · « **Reply #25 on:** August 02, 2011, 02:13:12 pm »

Everything going well and even the frost came off clean with this flake. So this is where I am at for now. I will post more as the project continues. I took 35 pictures that is how many times I have hit this stone removing flakes.

iowabow · « **Reply #26 on:** August 02, 2011, 02:40:29 pm »

Well the thinning went well yeilding some useable flakes for small points if the turtle flops. I like how the light goes through this material. I am kinda hoping now that a point can be made from this rock. The bottom has not been cleaned up and has cracks. The plan is to remove a couple more from the turtle side then clean up the bottom and then start making the point. It is still a long ways from being a point.