Stone points

[the Ferret]

ranger stone points are woerd in that they don't feel sharp when compared to a honed metal head. It's like those ginsu knives that they saw a soft drink can in half with and then cut a tomoato into nice thin slices. The part you run your thumb over doesn't feel sharp, but down in tose scallops they'll slice you open.

I must add that not all flint heads are hunting sharp though, especially if they've been laying in the dirt or something for 100 years ha ha. Freshly flaked heads should be adequately sharp.

[lone hunter]

This is a very interesting thread. I have spent the last three weekends looking for an obsidian pit the indians suppposedly used for their points. I would like to learn this art. I am confused about the terms flint and obsidian. It seems they are sometimes used interchangeable. Weren't arrowheads and other points primarily made of obsidian? Flint is more of a silica. Is there a good beginners book on knapping? Thanks

[knife river]

Mike, flint and obsidian are both extremely high in silica.  The difference is in the way they are formed.  Obsidian has a volcanic origin, while flint is formed in chalk beds.  Chert is formed in limestone and otherwise can be very similar to flint.  If that isn't confusing enough, then you have jasper, agate, chalcedony, chrysoprase, opal, and a gob of other materials in the mix.  Luckily for dweebs like me it's worlds of fun sorting all this out.

There are several books on knapping, but it's a darned hard way to learn.  Knapping is intensely visual and 10,000 words are needed to describe a 30 second technique.  I'd recommend you try a DVD or video.  Several sponsors (Raptor and 3Rivers) carry some very good ones.

Not sure which Hope and Paradise you're between, but there may a knap-in near you.  Sitting with some experienced folks is far and away the best way to learn.  Plus you can get tools and stone at the same time.  It's usually BYOB, though (bring your own band-aids).  GGG

[lone hunter]

Thanks a bunch for the information Woody. I'll take your advice and get a video. Tried watching at Trad Expo West a couple years ago but got there late.
Hope, Idaho and Paradise, Mont. Think they do a bunch of rock chipping over in eastern Mont.
BYOB, right---maybe a tourniquet and several jugs of plasma.
Thanks for your help, Mike

[knife river]

A German knapper posted this link on another website:   http://www.landschaftsmuseum.de/Bilder/Oetzi_Versuch-2.jpg

Take a look at the points that have been shot at the roe deer -- they're the flat-ended blade points.  Very interesting!

[bbassi]

OK, am I the only one who can't see Woody's pictures? I can see everyone elses, but Woody's posts just have a dash where the picture should be. frustrating.  :(

[chrisg]

Hi from South Africa,

 I'm interested that those small flat chisel points were also used in Europe. Those tiny 'flat' flakes (chisel flakes?) were also used by the San here in SA either one as in a chisel and also two set at an angle like a two blade typical head but each edge is a tiny flake set in a gum mastic. There is a head like that in the SA museum in Cape Town I think is might have been collected by Lucy Van Bleek who did a lot of research on San with her father in the late C19th. I have a T-shirt from an archeaology day at Wits university with pictures of them, sorry no camera !!

If the total diameter is close to or less than the shaft the narrow very sharp edge is much like the 'chisel point' used by some modern heads. An " early dangerous period field point"! The San used poison so were not after major penetration, they just needed to pierce the skin and shot for the neck/ stomach where the skin is thinnest. They used many different kinds of tip material including shaped bone and porcupine quills, as well as knapped stone and later traded for iron wire, but mostly made tiny points - just needed to get the poison into the bloodstream.
 Thanks, my two cents.
Chrisg

[Ray Hammond]

I cannot see Woody's pics either, BBasi.