knapping

[fujimo]

how do jasper and agate do for knapping?

[DLH]

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.

[1oldbowguy]

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.

[fujimo]

well we have lots of both of them here.
and some really hard, smooth, uniform "quartz".
will have to try them, thanks.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

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.

[fujimo]

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.

[1oldbowguy]

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.