the flaked version looked amazing as well! i can only hope to some day be capable of something like that. then to reduce a full 3rd of the weight from such a nice axe, it is easy to imagine how valuable and magical something like that would have seemed to people who were used to the flaked style only. fit for a stone-age king.
Thank you. I was unsure whether to grind the flaked version, as it did look rather good in a flaked form too. But it won't be a too difficult assignment to knap another similar axe, so that I can keep a flaked example. They would make a great pair for display. 🙂 And yes, there were some that were clearly made and used to be very effective wood cutters. And other examples that were destined to be looked at and admired with high-status members of the group. Very intriguing pieces of stone.
Thank you very much, that's kind of you to say. Yes I think it will remain the finest thing I have made with my own hands (certainly for a long time, if not indefinitely). And would make a rather interesting family heirloom. 😁
What a masterpiece! I have a granite hand axe in grinding process. But i dont have mutch time to work on it, so it still need to be ground on some parts, but at least the edge is alredy done, so i can use it...great video!
Thank you very much. Yes I know of some people who have spent more than 10 years working on hand grinding an axe, and still haven't finished. It becomes part of life and 'the daily grind'. It's quite obvious why some axes were only part ground, concentrating on refining the cutting edge. It was a compromise to gaining a more efficient axe, without the additional time commitment of grinding the larger surfaces.
@@Mummaearth Very kind thank you. And yes that was the main incentive to try to better understand how the Neolithic folk managed to make these enigmatic tools. Glad you enjoyed it.
To be honest, I didn't know how much of a gloss finish I would be able to achieve using raw materials that I found. I know flint can gain quite a gloss patina over time, but actual polishing was an unknown. It exceeded what I had hoped for in the way of a shine.
I have not seen that exact example. But the BM had a wonderful wall display of many examples at 'The world of stone henge' exhibition a couple of years ago. I have seen quite a few others too. Thank you very much.
Basically, yes. Only stones that conchoidally fracture can be knapped reliably. Others can be pecked to shape (such as the grindstone I used). Then yes provided the stone is hard enough to withstand the grind without breaking apart, it should grind smooth to shape. Not all will polish to the same gloss shine. Historical ground and polished axes were made of many different types of stone, around the world.
Stunning! It takes your dedication to turn what we think we might know into practical reality. Chappeau sir, chappeau. Question. Do you think the part polished axes are made to get the benefits of a full polished axe in use while reducing the time to get to a full polished; a sort of functional half way house?
@@chrisg514 - Thank you very much. Kind of you to comment. You are exactly correct. The part-polishing is concentrated to the cutting edge. This has the benefit of making the cutting edge considerably stronger, and also more efficient at cutting. The time to polish the cutting edge is almost insignificant compared to the complete axe. But of course the risk of the axe failing at another point further back from the cutting edge remains the same. Whereas complete grinding/polishing strengthens the whole axe, and makes it far less likely to fail from the shock of impacts. (But the time to achieve this finish is about the highest out of any prehistoric lithic from the UK). Then let's not forget that our prehistoric ancestors also had an appreciation of visual appeal. Hence why the finest of these axes are generally associated with burial sites. So if you could make something that not many other people possessed (a part/fully polished axe), then no doubt these axes were viewed with a higher regard in society than the 'standard' flaked variants.
@@flint.farmer Some of the part polished have a polished edge and some degree of polishing on the body. I wonder whether abrading / polishing the flake scars stops flakes running along them and dissipates the forces. By the way, the flaked axe to start with was excellent - you're obviously a talented knapper 👍
@@chrisg514 - Thank you. I certainly would like to be a better knapper than I currently am. Always aiming to improve. The polishing of the ridges over the body as you say would help strengthen them/the axe slightly. But having now carried out the process I believe that this is more of a by-product of grinding the cutting edge. Naturally over many hours of grinding, other protruding areas of the axe get abraded whilst running the axe along the grindstone. And it only takes a few minutes to flatten the top of narrow ridges, as the surface contact and resistance is minimal to the grindstone.
That's very kind, thank you. Glad you enjoyed the process. No unfortunately I don't have any flint to sell. Good luck, if you have a go at grinding one yourself. 🙂
i believe if you heat stones before napping they are easier to use, akin to waxier and smaller slithers, as i am yet to try i am only going by the various sources in my life i have picked that sort of info up - there is the obvious risk of stones fracturing apart during the heating process, which i guess is another tester to ensure the strongest tools too?
@@Mummaearth Hi there. No this isn't heat-treated at all, it is as it emerged from the ground. 🙂 The quality of flint to be found locally here in Suffolk and Norfolk (England) is some of the finest in the world. In general heat-treating is reserved for types of stone that do not easily conchoidally fracture. It is a more common process for knappers in the US than in Europe.
@@uuser9876 There's over 30 videos showing me grinding and polishing it by hand, in 'real time'. Also machine polished stone has signature marks, which aren't evident on my axe.... Because a machine never went near it. (I don't even possess the tools to do it with machines). Anyway, believe what you want. (Classic keyboard warrior with all of your achievements in life)!?
congratulations mate , what a stunning creation , i dont really have any words that do it justice ! , just encase you missed my post on your other video , i have kept a few high quality pieces of the Arran pitchstone for you , get back to me and i will give you my email so i can post it to you , all the best , lawrence
Hey Lawrence. Yes sorry, I haven't had chance to catch up online. Join Flint Finds of History on Facebook (if you aren't a member already), and then message me please. I'm an admin on there and you'll see my posts. 🙂 Very much appreciated regarding the pitchstone, thank you. We'll work something out. 👍
the flaked version looked amazing as well! i can only hope to some day be capable of something like that. then to reduce a full 3rd of the weight from such a nice axe, it is easy to imagine how valuable and magical something like that would have seemed to people who were used to the flaked style only. fit for a stone-age king.
Thank you.
I was unsure whether to grind the flaked version, as it did look rather good in a flaked form too. But it won't be a too difficult assignment to knap another similar axe, so that I can keep a flaked example. They would make a great pair for display. 🙂
And yes, there were some that were clearly made and used to be very effective wood cutters. And other examples that were destined to be looked at and admired with high-status members of the group.
Very intriguing pieces of stone.
Truly remarkable achievement
Of course I subbed &👍🏻
Lifetime heirloom for your children and grandchildren etc
Thank you very much, that's kind of you to say.
Yes I think it will remain the finest thing I have made with my own hands (certainly for a long time, if not indefinitely). And would make a rather interesting family heirloom. 😁
The patience and effort... Respect man it turned out perfect 👍
Thank you. Very kind. 👌
What a fantastic job. Congratulations.
Greetings from the south of Brazil.
Thank you very much.
And greetings from the UK. 🙂
What a masterpiece! I have a granite hand axe in grinding process. But i dont have mutch time to work on it, so it still need to be ground on some parts, but at least the edge is alredy done, so i can use it...great video!
Thank you very much.
Yes I know of some people who have spent more than 10 years working on hand grinding an axe, and still haven't finished. It becomes part of life and 'the daily grind'.
It's quite obvious why some axes were only part ground, concentrating on refining the cutting edge. It was a compromise to gaining a more efficient axe, without the additional time commitment of grinding the larger surfaces.
This is amazing! Great work, thanks for sharing your experience
My pleasure Collin.
Very pleased you enjoyed it. 🙂
Congrats from São Paulo, Brazil!
@@JORGEVIEIRA-c8z Thank you. 🙏
And finally it is READY! Congratulations.
Thank you. 🙂
It was quite a long journey, but worth it in the end.
Beautiful work and I do love seeing it all done naturally with what is to hand !
Liked and subscribed !
@@Mummaearth Very kind thank you.
And yes that was the main incentive to try to better understand how the Neolithic folk managed to make these enigmatic tools.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Beautiful work!!! Amazing how it turned out!!
@@Wilders53 Thank you very much. 🙏
I didn't realize flint could polish out like that.
To be honest, I didn't know how much of a gloss finish I would be able to achieve using raw materials that I found.
I know flint can gain quite a gloss patina over time, but actual polishing was an unknown.
It exceeded what I had hoped for in the way of a shine.
Have you seen the example in the Salisbury museum? It’s almost identical to yours. Congratulations for unlocking an ancient technique 🎉
I have not seen that exact example. But the BM had a wonderful wall display of many examples at 'The world of stone henge' exhibition a couple of years ago. I have seen quite a few others too.
Thank you very much.
Zastanawiam się czy każdy Kamień można tak wyszlifować i polerować chciałbym spróbować pozdrawiam serdecznie z Polski 👍
Basically, yes.
Only stones that conchoidally fracture can be knapped reliably. Others can be pecked to shape (such as the grindstone I used). Then yes provided the stone is hard enough to withstand the grind without breaking apart, it should grind smooth to shape. Not all will polish to the same gloss shine.
Historical ground and polished axes were made of many different types of stone, around the world.
Got my sub. Nice work.
Thank you. 🙂
Mines not flint but some kind of high silica river rock.
Stunning! It takes your dedication to turn what we think we might know into practical reality. Chappeau sir, chappeau.
Question. Do you think the part polished axes are made to get the benefits of a full polished axe in use while reducing the time to get to a full polished; a sort of functional half way house?
@@chrisg514 - Thank you very much. Kind of you to comment.
You are exactly correct. The part-polishing is concentrated to the cutting edge. This has the benefit of making the cutting edge considerably stronger, and also more efficient at cutting. The time to polish the cutting edge is almost insignificant compared to the complete axe.
But of course the risk of the axe failing at another point further back from the cutting edge remains the same. Whereas complete grinding/polishing strengthens the whole axe, and makes it far less likely to fail from the shock of impacts. (But the time to achieve this finish is about the highest out of any prehistoric lithic from the UK).
Then let's not forget that our prehistoric ancestors also had an appreciation of visual appeal. Hence why the finest of these axes are generally associated with burial sites. So if you could make something that not many other people possessed (a part/fully polished axe), then no doubt these axes were viewed with a higher regard in society than the 'standard' flaked variants.
@@flint.farmer Some of the part polished have a polished edge and some degree of polishing on the body. I wonder whether abrading / polishing the flake scars stops flakes running along them and dissipates the forces. By the way, the flaked axe to start with was excellent - you're obviously a talented knapper 👍
@@chrisg514 - Thank you. I certainly would like to be a better knapper than I currently am. Always aiming to improve.
The polishing of the ridges over the body as you say would help strengthen them/the axe slightly. But having now carried out the process I believe that this is more of a by-product of grinding the cutting edge. Naturally over many hours of grinding, other protruding areas of the axe get abraded whilst running the axe along the grindstone. And it only takes a few minutes to flatten the top of narrow ridges, as the surface contact and resistance is minimal to the grindstone.
You are a master at this, I've been thinking about trying to hand grind for a while. Also, do you havw flint to sell?
That's very kind, thank you. Glad you enjoyed the process.
No unfortunately I don't have any flint to sell.
Good luck, if you have a go at grinding one yourself. 🙂
Did you heat the flint before you began?
only just begun to watch so i may delete this question !
i believe if you heat stones before napping they are easier to use, akin to waxier and smaller slithers, as i am yet to try i am only going by the various sources in my life i have picked that sort of info up - there is the obvious risk of stones fracturing apart during the heating process, which i guess is another tester to ensure the strongest tools too?
@@Mummaearth Hi there.
No this isn't heat-treated at all, it is as it emerged from the ground. 🙂
The quality of flint to be found locally here in Suffolk and Norfolk (England) is some of the finest in the world.
In general heat-treating is reserved for types of stone that do not easily conchoidally fracture. It is a more common process for knappers in the US than in Europe.
Just admit that it was aliens...
@@robcarter3341 😂
Looks machine polished to me, proof me wrong.
Watch the video
I think all of the videos showing me crafting this axe completely by hand should 'proof' you wrong.
@@flint.farmer still not showing in real time though
@@uuser9876 There's over 30 videos showing me grinding and polishing it by hand, in 'real time'.
Also machine polished stone has signature marks, which aren't evident on my axe.... Because a machine never went near it. (I don't even possess the tools to do it with machines).
Anyway, believe what you want. (Classic keyboard warrior with all of your achievements in life)!?
@@flint.farmer questioning my life achievements over the case does not make you more convincing, tbf.
congratulations mate , what a stunning creation , i dont really have any words that do it justice ! , just encase you missed my post on your other video , i have kept a few high quality pieces of the Arran pitchstone for you , get back to me and i will give you my email so i can post it to you , all the best , lawrence
Hey Lawrence. Yes sorry, I haven't had chance to catch up online.
Join Flint Finds of History on Facebook (if you aren't a member already), and then message me please. I'm an admin on there and you'll see my posts. 🙂
Very much appreciated regarding the pitchstone, thank you. We'll work something out. 👍