I agree, this guy is an excellent teacher. 👍

so, would you argue that a lot more heads could have been made from this block of flint..

Exactly what I was thinking....maybe for instructional purposes.

What I was wondering also.. Seems like he knocked off chunks big enough in the beginning that would be usable. Wondered this for awhile. Seems like a waste but idk..??

ah! this i think, is a question that a lot of us probably were left with at the end - hope we’ll get the answer at some point *i were maybe thinking that the “spall” could have yielded around 4 arrow heads (the only problem is maybe that the smaller pieces could be hard to process due to odd shapes) . . . . but yeah, probably just because this was an instructional guide

It's from using a copper bopper. Using antler won't crush the obsidian like copper does. As copper doesn't spread out the impact as well as antler.

@@thatsmallrockshop Chris, when you say the copper doesn't spread the impact as well as antler, is that because antler tips are usually much wider than the copper tips? Thanks in advance.

@@richardwiley5933 the difference in density is I think the word I am looking for as the antler absorbed some of the blow and doesn't spread out as much of a shock wave.

@@thatsmallrockshop it must be because his is worn out. I’ve watched people do it with the copper one and get nice single flakes.

You need to retain some tip mass to keep the arrowhead from shattering under the force of impact.

Artificial abradors or grinding wheel cut up in chunks. I like to use natural abrasive stones. Makes me feel that much more connected with the art!

To my eye it looks like a piece of pumice stone. Some things to note: pumice is about a 6 on the moh's hardness scale (a hardness scale for geologists, usually used with minerals). obsidian is about a 6.5, and I'm finding flint listed as a 7, as is chert. As someone else mentioned, natural pumice will hold up better than artificial. Reason being is a lot of those abraders are likely sand pasted together. While high quality sand is quartz, which is a 7, the binding agent will be the weak link. Another option could be scoria, which is similar to pumice but has more void space. Really what you're likely looking for is a volcanic rock from magma flow that contained a high amount of gas to form the voids and sharp edges while retaining its integrity as one piece of rock. TLDR: use natural pumice stone from volcanos for best results, scoria can do, but the more voids means less supporting structures within the piece of rock. *Edit: I'd highly suggest wearing a respirator or face mask rated to handle silica dust while grinding. your body lacks the ability to expel this and the sharp edges will damage your lungs continuously. OSHA (for construction) and geologists both agree that exposure to breaking or sawing rock will be highly detrimental to your respiratory system.

Primitive pathways and Jack crafty some of their videos might be able to help. I've been doing tons of in-depth research but I'm currently waiting on my first set of tools and flint! Sorry fortunately I can't personally help you but maybe one of these guys can.

Expertoffx, I'm struggling with that also. I find that when I slowdown, soften my strikes with my bopper, and concentrate with more inward pressure while pressure flaking, all given I stay under the centerline then, I achieve longer flakes. Abrading if very, very, very important! Good luck man! Oh, and make sure you have something holding the piece in place. Whether, it be your hand/fingers or a solid surface of leather of the like. If you are striking your piece while it has movement it will cause a loss of concentrated force and short flakes. Aside from that, catch your existing valleys and run em!

That is why hammer stones exist. Core & blade spalling. Then edging creating platforms concentrating on the outer perimeter first. More platforms & work inward. Loose the copper billet & use a fine grained hammer stone that strikes & drags across the desired flake to be removed. Slower more even transference of energy. Just a suggestion. Tks.

@@jimajello1028 cobblestones.. 14:30 “gotta get it thin b..” i’m rewatching the whole video again - it’s actually very pleasant to listen to (didn’t really listen the first time)

I don't want to speak for Russell because I'm just the video guy and not the expert, but I'm pretty sure the other large flakes and pieces that come off will be turned into heads too. Also you have to work with the stone's natural structure and faults, you can't necessarily separate it into several equal pieces or make one big piece, you just start working it and see what happens. We are planning to make more videos in the new year, so stay tuned because I'm sure this will be a topic Russ covers in more detail.

Its still really cool he put a lot of time into it so stop

Now boys, don't fight....everybody knows the Indians didn't like to prepare platforms, smashed material into thumb scrapers & were great plumbers with copper fittings.

Way back when the white man first met the North American Indian the white offered the Indian Cooper billets in a trade for antler. The Indian got so excited he traded all the antler he had. Well, the Indian heated the copper & banged out some beautiful jewelry ornimants from it. It was as good as it got cause he traded it for 3 beautiful Indian women cause copper was like gold to the Indian people. He made Love over & over again to them all night long until he died of a heart attack. From that day forward the Indians never traded copper for antler again & would never pretended to use it to make stone tools again. They felt their ancestors who came back out of love to feed them & provide them with Flint knapping tools had put a curse on them. They then felt antler would get you great stone tools & too much copper could get you women who could be bad for you. Sad story.