how do jasper and agate do for knapping?
They are both knappable but I know that agate has to be heat treated. Don't know much about the jasper if it has to be heat treated or not I want to say not but wouldn't hold me to it.
DLH is right, agate must, or should be heat treated for best results and If I remember right it is at about 425 to 450 in that range brought up slow and held there for 4 to 6 hours then let cool down very slow. Jasper is knappable without heat treating but will take a lower treatment if I remember right. Both can be knapped without heat treatment but seem to henge a bit. They will make some real fine looking points for sure.
well we have lots of both of them here.
and some really hard, smooth, uniform "quartz".
will have to try them, thanks.
Can you get some Obsidian up north there eh?
That's some pretty good stuff right there.
I'm not much of a knapper myself but a friend from Washington sent me some Obsidian and I think I can make a decent head out of that with some practice.
there should be obsidian here, but there is no knowledge of any in the area, a friend found a few very fractured small pieces. but i geuss obsidian is the real deal- i am planning a trip to Glass Buttes in Idaho in the near future.
that should be awesome.
Glass Buttes is the place to go for Obsidian. I have never been there but have a couple videos of it and it is something else. One thing everyone says is bring WATER, WATER and spare tires and a very good first aid kit. No water anywhere from what I understand and with all the obsidian, cut tires is always on the list. Craig Ratzat has a couple videos out and I am sure they may be on DVD now and also D.C. Waldorf has a good one called Working Obsidian with D.C. Waldorf. P.M. me if you like.