I may try to make the flaker, if I can find the proper material. I have noticed that you have access to some high quality material, including the stone you use. Thanks for the excellent instructional video. V/R Jim
Could you please tell me where the picture of the original is from? Also if you have a picture of the original (a picture of the drawing or whatever) could you please send it to me? This is beautiful work, Inuit always seemed to make the most well thought out and ergonomic tools. Thank you very much
Took a screenshot of your question so I can get back to it later. I think the drawing was from a book of Native American artifacts. I also found some professional sources that I can send you.
Thanks! I do go to knap ins! Being in grad school the past couple of years and now my job as an archaeologist make it hard to plan ahead to attend any. I’ll announce on my FB page, Instagram, and maybe even TH-cam when I’m able to make a public knap in!
Cool video, as always. But gloves and belt sanders are super dangerous my guy. I've heard first hand (no pun intended) accounts of guys in the shop wearing gloves cause the work piece was getting hot or whatever and the gloves snag and trap their hands between the table and the belt. Just tryin to help.
@@pathwaysofthepast I worked as a machinist for most of my life ... started on my grandfathers shop-smith around 11 years old . . . the first thing he taught me was to be very conscious of where my hands were at all times when operating any machinery and never wear gloves . . . machinist bible ... never wear gloves ... always tie long hair back .... roll long sleeves up before turning machine on ... then he held up his left hand and said that he was very fortunate he was missing only an inch and a half of one finger ... :) I still have all of mine . . . Thanks for your videos ... I especially enjoyed this one, if I had access to the machines I would make one to use for some my own knapping endeavors . . .
People that make, show and talk about antler flakers forget to mention what part of the antler the tip is made from. Is it the part between the outside and the pith or is it part of both? Never having had one, I would love to know as I am planning an ishi type and a shorter (drilled with insert) version hand flaker.
Yes always use the outside part before it transitions to pith, it’s much harder. I also try to make the working end of the antler tip from the base of the antler where it meets the skull, it tends to be most dense and have little pith in this area. Hope this helps! I didn’t really do any explaining in this video, I’ll have to do that when I make another pressure flaker video.
Given that you can comfortably and securely hold a whitetail tine, that works fine. After a while it will become more of a hassle to resharpen but I’ve used tines a lot
@@pathwaysofthepast Thank you. I use copper because the upkeep is minimal but I use hammerstones as much as possible and I want to use antler as well. when needed and your tips will help me on my journey
Two questions: (1) can you explain why this two-part tool is better than just using the tip of the antler? (2) in some videos you use a black crystalline stone as a rasp. What rock is it? Thanks...
Hi Jorge, this two part tool has a much more ergonomic design that a plain antler tine. The replaceable tips allow you to use smaller pieces of antler and therefore use less antler pound for pound.
@@pathwaysofthepast I think it was used for turning/scrunching the edge of the preform, or putting it along the contour of your belly to push with your body to remove longer flakes. Jyst my thoughts on it..
I've seen similar examples of pressure flakers (usually a bit bigger than this one) where the curved or angled part of the handle is braced against the body to increase leverage
@@pathwaysofthepast I just started using one like this and one thing that occurred to me is that it does allow for it to be used as an indirect percussion punch in a way similar to what flintknappingtips did with his leg punch. Fold up some material under it, secure it with a strap looped around the front and then again at the back, and then hold it between the thighs to help with leverage, and boom. I'm not saying that's why it's made that way, just that it can be used that way. Likely it was intended for additional leverage against the abdomen. I frequently brace my copper pressure flaker against my abdomen to allow myself to create additional inward pressure against the piece.
I've heard that working with bone is more like working with stone than wood. What's your experience with antler? is it similar to bone or closer to woodworking?
stormtroopr1977 it’s almost identical to working bone. The only comparison to working stone that makes sense in my mind is that it doesn’t have a grain? But it’s not that tough. Certainly not as soft as wood but much easier than stone. It’s even easier to work if you soak it in water and work it while it’s still wet.
Antler tines are more difficult to hold onto than a tine. This allow allows you to use small pieces of antler that wouldn’t be large enough for a pressure flaker otherwise.
A lot was simply pride in your tools, secondly it was more comfortable in the hand to hold and use. However it was much easier to just use an antler but it’s sometimes difficult to find one that’s super comfortable in the hand. I think mostly it was just pride in making a perfect tool that you can show off your workmanship with.
I may try to make the flaker, if I can find the proper material. I have noticed that you have access to some high quality material, including the stone you use.
Thanks for the excellent instructional video. V/R Jim
TUKTU would be proud to use that flaker . Good job !
Awesome, thanks for sharing
If you make another one I'll buy it! Though if not I'm going to have to try my own. That is so cool.
What an interesting idea to inlay antler into antler!
For sure! Make one, would love to see it!
Amazing pressure flaker mate looks just as durable if not stronger then a modern copper flaker!! Wish i had the tools to make one myself.
This can definitely be made with hand tools, and Stone Age tools. I’m planning on doing one of these on video with traditional tools in the future
@@pathwaysofthepast yeah mate do it I'll love to see that
This is really cool! Would like to see one made primitive style. Keep up the good work!
Wicked cool video, thank you for making and posting it.
Thanks Nels!
P.S. you should absolutely make one of these with stone tools, I guarantee that it will be much more time consuming work.
Absolutely. Something I might do over the winter.
Could you please tell me where the picture of the original is from? Also if you have a picture of the original (a picture of the drawing or whatever) could you please send it to me? This is beautiful work, Inuit always seemed to make the most well thought out and ergonomic tools. Thank you very much
Took a screenshot of your question so I can get back to it later. I think the drawing was from a book of Native American artifacts. I also found some professional sources that I can send you.
@@pathwaysofthepast thank you so much! If you could tell me the name of the book when you find out that would be awesome
Bet it smelled lovely in your shop that day😬
Rusty Shackleford there’s a reason I immediately change my clothes after working antler like this, haha
Lol takes forever for that stink to get out of my work shop.. awesome flaker btw! Do you ever go to Knap-ins?
Thanks! I do go to knap ins! Being in grad school the past couple of years and now my job as an archaeologist make it hard to plan ahead to attend any. I’ll announce on my FB page, Instagram, and maybe even TH-cam when I’m able to make a public knap in!
@@Youzack1 I've always met people with your opinion that it is a stink , personally I love the smell of grinding antler and bone
@@creepingslaytor6073 good for you.
Cool video, as always. But gloves and belt sanders are super dangerous my guy. I've heard first hand (no pun intended) accounts of guys in the shop wearing gloves cause the work piece was getting hot or whatever and the gloves snag and trap their hands between the table and the belt. Just tryin to help.
Hadn’t thought of that, thanks.
@@pathwaysofthepast I worked as a machinist for most of my life ... started on my grandfathers shop-smith around 11 years old . . . the first thing he taught me was to be very conscious of where my hands were at all times when operating any machinery and never wear gloves . . . machinist bible ... never wear gloves ... always tie long hair back .... roll long sleeves up before turning machine on ... then he held up his left hand and said that he was very fortunate he was missing only an inch and a half of one finger ... :) I still have all of mine . . . Thanks for your videos ... I especially enjoyed this one, if I had access to the machines I would make one to use for some my own knapping endeavors . . .
People that make, show and talk about antler flakers forget to mention what part of the antler the tip is made from. Is it the part between the outside and the pith or is it part of both? Never having had one, I would love to know as I am planning an ishi type and a shorter (drilled with insert) version hand flaker.
Yes always use the outside part before it transitions to pith, it’s much harder. I also try to make the working end of the antler tip from the base of the antler where it meets the skull, it tends to be most dense and have little pith in this area. Hope this helps! I didn’t really do any explaining in this video, I’ll have to do that when I make another pressure flaker video.
Pathways of the Past What are your thoughts on using just an antler tine? I have a couple sets of whitetail antlers available.
Given that you can comfortably and securely hold a whitetail tine, that works fine. After a while it will become more of a hassle to resharpen but I’ve used tines a lot
@@pathwaysofthepast Thank you. I use copper because the upkeep is minimal but I use hammerstones as much as possible and I want to use antler as well. when needed and your tips will help me on my journey
Two questions:
(1) can you explain why this two-part tool is better than just using the tip of the antler?
(2) in some videos you use a black crystalline stone as a rasp. What rock is it?
Thanks...
Hi Jorge, this two part tool has a much more ergonomic design that a plain antler tine. The replaceable tips allow you to use smaller pieces of antler and therefore use less antler pound for pound.
@@pathwaysofthepast Thanks!
Whats the purpose of the curved tail?
Jay Sav that’s a good question! I’m not sure yet, I’m still seeing if it gives any performance advantage.
@@pathwaysofthepast I think it was used for turning/scrunching the edge of the preform, or putting it along the contour of your belly to push with your body to remove longer flakes. Jyst my thoughts on it..
I've seen similar examples of pressure flakers (usually a bit bigger than this one) where the curved or angled part of the handle is braced against the body to increase leverage
@@pathwaysofthepast I just started using one like this and one thing that occurred to me is that it does allow for it to be used as an indirect percussion punch in a way similar to what flintknappingtips did with his leg punch. Fold up some material under it, secure it with a strap looped around the front and then again at the back, and then hold it between the thighs to help with leverage, and boom. I'm not saying that's why it's made that way, just that it can be used that way. Likely it was intended for additional leverage against the abdomen. I frequently brace my copper pressure flaker against my abdomen to allow myself to create additional inward pressure against the piece.
I've heard that working with bone is more like working with stone than wood. What's your experience with antler? is it similar to bone or closer to woodworking?
stormtroopr1977 it’s almost identical to working bone. The only comparison to working stone that makes sense in my mind is that it doesn’t have a grain? But it’s not that tough. Certainly not as soft as wood but much easier than stone. It’s even easier to work if you soak it in water and work it while it’s still wet.
Why didn't the Inuits just use an antler tine without going to all that trouble.
Antler tines are more difficult to hold onto than a tine. This allow allows you to use small pieces of antler that wouldn’t be large enough for a pressure flaker otherwise.
A lot was simply pride in your tools, secondly it was more comfortable in the hand to hold and use. However it was much easier to just use an antler but it’s sometimes difficult to find one that’s super comfortable in the hand. I think mostly it was just pride in making a perfect tool that you can show off your workmanship with.
The fact that you used modern day tools to make an aboriginal tool was enough to make this my first time and last time watching any video you're in.