Helpful hints
Back to tutorial Identification guide
Here are some hints that will help you prevent breaking or otherwise
ruining the preform while you are knapping:
SHAPING THE PREFORM:
Wrong
Right
Always keep the tip and the base thinner than the midsection.
If the center is too thin, it will probably break in half when you
are removing flakes. This rule applies to any stage, from start
to finish.
THIN THE FLAT SIDE FIRST:
Many people tend to try to thin the humped or thicker side first.
It is very difficult to make the flakes reach the center this way.
If you thin the flatter side first, it will give you less distance
to
go when you are thinning the humped side.
THINNING THE BASE:
If you are thinning down the center of the base with a billet,
you run the
risk of breaking the tip off. To prevent this, hold the preform
firmly as
shown, using your index finger to support the tip.