Who hunts with obsidian?

[stick flipper]

I'm taking the plunge this year and going to hunt with a primitive head. I'm not a flint knapper but I want to try. I have a couple knapping DVD's and I live 15 mins. From flint ridge and will be at the knap in at the end of August. I have alot of questions but I will narrow it down to a few:

1) What are the pros and cons of obsidian for deer?

2) If I buy obsidian spalls will I need a percussion tool still? Or just pressure flaking tools?

3) Who is a good source to buy from? Any sponsors of the site good primitive suppliers?

4) any recommendations for DVD's, books, or kits that would be good for me,

5) Post some pics of what you have knapped, harvest pics, or anything else that you made!

[gringol]

Call ted fry at raptor archery.  He makes and hunts with stone points.  He'll help you out with your questions.

[RecurveRookie]

I did see pics of obsidian vs surgical steel magnified 10,000x , and the obsidian edge looked smooth and the scalpel looked like a saw!  Cool!

[irishhacker]

I bought mine from Harold at  http://visionsinstoneflintknapping.com/.
Harold is a great guy to deal with. I met him at the Deer and Turkey expo in Columbus, OH.

Here are the heads I purchased. I wanted a variety since i have never done this before.


   

[flightmedic]

stick flipper, check out craig razat dvd called " lap knaping" its a great way to get started if  you are a begginer. a little easier  to get stated correct, he will be at flintridge in aug.

[m midd]

I have knapped a few out of obsidian and i was bleeding like i was shot.  I use mainly pressure flakers but i had a big chunk to lnock the right size spall off of. Be sure to wear long pants and good eye protection and get after it. The knap in is going to be a good place to pick up information.  Good luck

[bondo]

I've hunted with stone points for over a dozen years. I've used a lot of different types of stone. I'm going back to obsidian this year, I've had real good luck with it over the years. It gets unbelieveabley sharp, and is a lot tougher than you would think.
   As far as where to get stone, no other place better to get stone than neolithic.com. Graig sales a lot of different rock types. You can buy it already in nice big flakes which cuts way down on waste. And his prices are as good as you will find anywhere.


   

Here is a point I used a few years ago that I got a compleate pass through. Still in really good shape.
 

[Gib]

very nice points bondo, gib

[Sockrsblur]

This interests me as well Chris. I have done some reading and research. And knapped a few heads just to see. As with and new inrest there are many varying opinions. I try to read all I can and apply common sense. I would urge you to read and look into Ryan Gills aka "twistedLimbs" web site. There is a lot of information there and his thoughts seemed spot on to me. Read it see what you think?!
Gillsprimitivearchery.com
Good luck, Jim

[Weasel]

I'm going to give it a try this year. A friend of mine, Shawn Woods, made me a couple of points and gave me a few shafts of Ocean Spray. I'll fletch it with feathers from a turkey I killed last year. They'll be the first arrows on the string for our mule deer hunt in Oregon this fall.

Shawn goes by Historic Hunter on youtube and has many informative primitive "how-to's" there.  http://www.youtube.com/user/historichunter/videos

[stick flipper]

Thank you for the replies.... I will be on Ryan's site and Neolithic site as well! Keep info coming and keep pics coming too..... I'm really looking forward to knapping and hopefully I can make a good point or two before season starts.

[Jon Stewart]

stick flipper, when you come to Flintridge, us Michigan guys will be two spots down from Craig Ratzat's spot and he is usually on the end next to the exit drive.  Look us up and you will get plenty of ideas and help.

Living on top of or near a very large deposit of flint ridge material like you do  you should have some pretty good access to rock!!!

[stick flipper]

I will definitely look for you. I'm a fireman and I'm off that Friday and Sunday.... I'm probably going to be able to get off during the day Saturday as well. So hopefully I will be able to be there every minute of the weekend lol I'm sure I will need every minute as well

[adeeden]

There's a local farmer close to the flint ridge knapp in that lets people dig. I'm sure the guys there knapping can point you in his direction. They did me years ago when I was there

[Pheonixarcher]

I've heard that no other material can get as sharp as obsidian, as it sharpens (or flakes) down to the molecular level. Similar to how a grain of salt is perfectly square no matter how small you pulverize it.