While at the Flint Ridge knapin, we decided to try an experiment, that as far as we know hasn't been done before. After seeing Ed Mosher, make an 8.5/1 W/T ratio from one of Bill's copper billeted glass preforms on his first try with a moose billet. Bill decided with Ed's agreement, to make a preform more to Ed's liking while using a copper billet. Ed instructed Bill as he went, on what kind of platforms he preferred for his moose billet. Once Ed was happy with the preform, he finished the blade with his moose. He ended up getting a blade with an average W/T ratio of 10.3/1! Not bad for only the second blade Ed had made from this glass.
Bill said the biggest difference he noticed in the platforms that Ed preferred for the moose compared to what Bill would do normally set for copper was the platforms were much thinner. Both Ed and Bill seemed very intrigued with the experiment, getting into some deep discussions on platforms. Bill has never used much antler and was very impressed with what Ed could do with it and Bill certainly learned a lot.
Below are some pictures, first Ed watching and instructing Bill on preferred platforms, then Bill
watching Ed's moose antler work at Tom Chissum's booth.
Below is the finished blade, like I said, W/T of 10.3/1 on second try, nice work Ed! Not to mention that Bill felt if he had gotten a few better platforms set for Ed, he could have done better.
We attended the Schiele Knapin yesterday in Gastonia NC at the Schiele Museum. I learned this knapin has been going on at this location for 20 years but this is the first time we ever attended. It is the closest knapin to us at 1 hr. away and it is a little embarrassing that we never knew about it all these years.
It was held at a great location, outside of the museum on a walking tour trail that offers a Stone Age and Catawba indian village exhibit among other things. There were a lot of knappers and a good crowd of public walking through.
It was great to meet so many local knappers from NC, SC and VA. It is surprising sometimes how many knappers are actually out there and how much knapping has grown in the last 30 years. I remember 30 years ago, we had to go all the way to Kentucky to even meet a fellow knapper, Robbie Robinson. Robbie passed away a few years back but I will always remember that trip and watching him and dad knap together on the banks of the Ohio river in Robbie's backyard.
I would like to thank Steve Watts for his hospitality and putting on the knapin. We had a great time and I would highly recommend this knapin to anyone who can make it there.
Below are several pictures of examples of "modernized" flintknapping. In Bill's version of modern flintknapping, he will take actual artifact designs and add his artistic flair and change their shape/design in various ways. He may blend various designs into one piece making a hybrid point. He may also use different techniques to make the pieces than were originally used by the artifact makers of old. All but one of the below pieces are made using the flake over grinding method. They will also usually be made thinner than the original artifacts.
Beside each piece we will give the measurements, type material it is made from and a little description of how the piece differs from the artifacts. (this may take weeks for all this information to be updated)
Hardaway Point with very deep V notch and extreme ears.
Length-2.2 inches
Width-1.2 inches
Diameter-.23 inches
Hardaway's are a local artifact design that Bill likes to modernize. You may see several variations.
Hybrid of a Savannah River point and flared Smith base.
The above piece is now owned by Aaron Lincoln, who placed it in his "masters case". We consider this a nice honor coming from a flintknapper as good as Aaron. Thanks Aaron.
Length-2.2 inches
Width-1.4 inches
Diameter-.21 inches
Made from Rootbeer.
Lever pressured Biface.
Length-6.65 inches
Width-3 inches
Ave. Diameter-.225 inches
Lever pressured using Bill's lever device he developed.(can be seen in slideshow Replicating the Sweetwater)
Made from glass.
Points with high and low leg.(something different)
On left Length-1.9 inches
Width-1.1 inches
Diameter-.18 inches
On right Length-1.8 inches
Width 1.1 inches
Diameter-.17 inches
Made from Mookite
Length- 6 inches, Width-1.6 inches, Diameter-.215 inches Serpentine design, made from Mookite from Australia. This is one of Bill's personal favorites.
