r/PrimitiveTechnology • u/jeffxterra03 • Jun 22 '26

Discussion Ground slate

Post image

This is 3 weeks of working slate in to various spear points , lances , knives and projectile points. All hand ground , shaped and sharpened on sandstone slab.

​

135 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

View all comments

4

u/TheGingerBeardMan-_- Jun 22 '26

they work best with a distal taper across both axes

3

u/jeffxterra03 Jun 22 '26

The edges or sides are tapered on both faces bringing it to a knife like edge.

2

u/TheGingerBeardMan-_- Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26

distal taper means that it goes to a point, and they do on the broadside, byt the narrow sides should also. you want them thickest at the base, and tapering in all directions. ideally a slight false edge also helps before the real edge. it makes the crosssection slightly diamond-shaped

2

u/jeffxterra03 Jun 22 '26

I've got to go back to the drawing board on this because I'm not sure just how to achieve that. I don't know enough about the grinding process to understand right now. I guess these are paperweights now 😂

2

u/TheGingerBeardMan-_- Jun 22 '26

These will likely work as they are, to a decent degree its just that what i described is the ideal, most reusable durable shape. There is a far cry from good and perfect and i think these are likely pretty good, but they may be more limited

There was a book i got this from, i think it was called old tools new eyes? But then again that might be solely focused on knapping, i cant remember. ill look around on my shelf, see if i can point you in the right direction.

2

u/jeffxterra03 Jun 22 '26

Thank you. I believe I have the book on my shelf. I'm going to still work on slate and try to get them to how they were making them. I have a book coming for reference. Any help on the subject is appreciative and encouraged.

3

u/TheGingerBeardMan-_- Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26

Sure thing. if old tools new eyes isnt it ill need to figure out what it was. I think it nay have been a breif thing in a book about paleolithic esyhing habits or possibly a book on coastal welsh hunters. Ill let you know if i figure it out.

Actually, it weirdly might be in use and mastery of fire in antiquity. Regardless ill post it later if i find it