Knapping-what am i missing?

[pintail_drake2004]

Well i have been chipping away for a few months now with what i think are just the essential tools. I have 2 palm pads not pictured here. What else do i need to add to my setup? I have made a few dozen points to date-non of which i have 100% finished yet, waiting a lil closer to season so that i can have a stock pile of points incase i break a few practicing.
 

[Stumpknocker]

Why no antler tools?  Just curious.  I've always liked antler better. Tge

[pintail_drake2004]

I dont have any antler to work with. I have seen it done, but i personally do not have any. I would like to work with antler some day-mainly because i want to go all traditional in my hunting practices within the next 2 years.

[cam188]

A friend of mine started a website for primitives a few years back. They are very helpful in this area. If you want to check it out here is the link.

 www.paleoplanet.net

[Jon Stewart]

Paleo planet is a great web site.  Cam just made it easy for you to make it one of your favorites.  Pintail. I have lots of whitetail antler drops.  What size you need and I will send you a tine from one.
Jon

[Rick D]

You should look into an Ishi stick, its a pressure flaker with a long handle about 20" or so. i like them for drive long flakes across preforms. With a hand pressure flaker it can be hard on your wrist to drive large, long flakes across a preform, but the Ishi stick works differently. PM me if you have anymore questions. **** always has great vids of people using the equipement, if you're looking for a visual demo.  

Take a long at this place for a start.
 http://flintknappingtools.com/

Also look at getting some different grit size abraders.

Rick D

[pintail_drake2004]

How do you size antler for knapping? I wouldnt think they would have to be very big. 6-7" tine length, but wouldnt have to be very big around for pressure knapping.  

will different abraders make that much of a difference? that is just a grinding wheel busted up.

[knife river]

Abraders do make a difference.  Too coarse and they'll chew a platform to shreds.  Too fine and they won't get the job done.  I like medium grit.  

You got good advice about an Ishi stick.  Copper pressure flakers are abundant in some areas for some cultures (copper billets are becoming more recognized, too), but it's easy to grind a piece of antler to fit in an Ishi stick.  

Looks like you've got some nice rock to work with.  Enjoy!