Got Convex?

Must a biconvex exist in every piece of flintknapping work?

John Whittaker, in his book American Flintknappers, says that they must. I respectfully disagree, contrary to what Mr. Whittaker states, not all of the old artifacts have a biconvex. Although, i agree certainly most of them did.

One that i know of is the Sweetwater biface. It is actually thinner at some points in the middle of the blade then within 1 inch from the edge. So it would actually have a "reverse convex" so to speak.I have been told(never seen a cast of it) that the Walnut Creek blade actually has points where descending flake removal makes it have a reverse convex as well.

If a knapper strictly wants to replicate an artifact that has a convex in it, that is fine and great, I DO NOT condemn them. But what modern knapper wouldn't be proud if they could duplicate the Sweetwater, Walnut Creek or Volgu blades?

If we agree that making a thinner piece takes more skill, then why not push the envelope as far as we can go with it. If you are capable of making a piece with no biconvex, i say more power to you. Otherwise, we are putting constraints on the art of flintknapping, by "allowing" knappers to go only so far with their abilities.

I would compare this to the art of painting pictures. Sure, the Mona Lisa is a great piece of art work. But today are the modern artist still only painting the same style of paintings as they did in the past? Of course not, we have modern art. Since flintknapping is another form of art, why not progress it into new techniques in modern day flintknapping. Of course, at this time, with percussion work, i know of no knapper who can match the Sweetwater, Walnut Creek or Volgu.

FOG pieces is another matter, i have pieces in my possession that although do no sink in the middle like the Sweetwater and Walnut Creek. They are completely flat across each side, with no biconvex existing.

Gotta have a convex? I think not, lets match some of these thinnest artifacts mentioned earlier. From there, where does it go, who knows? But that is the interesting part of modern flintknapping, it is a never ending process of development.

Visit www.modern-flintknapping.com and www.modern-flintknappers.com