Neralich Cache Tribute Necklace (bone)

[adamckee]

Ever since I saw the 2 ceremonial blades from the Neralich Cache I have been blown away. Those 2 blade are just about as cool as it gets as far as I am concerned. As most of you know I have been replicating actual stone arrowheads from bone and was seeking some input from you guys on my next piece. I couldn't get those Neralich points out of my head so I decided to give it a shot. Taking a point the size of a 2 liter liter and shrinking it down poses some interesting problems. One of which is the knapping pattern. The flakes on the actual point are clearly visible being of normal size, even though the blade itself is huge. When scaling down the blade, you must scale down the flaking by the same ratio. The problem is, you can hardly see the flacking when the point is only 2 inches! I decided to try and capture some of the major features within the flaking pattern so as to capture the true "flavor" of the original, and then exaggerate some of the rest just so when the piece is finished you would be able to see the pattern with the naked eye. Look close and you can even see Jason Neralich's autograph! The photos I took are extremely shadowed in order to show the flaking, in reality when viewing the piece normally, the deeper features do not look so deep and exaggerated. When finished, the blade will be the center piece on a necklace that will feature red ocher beads to to capture the soil that enveloped the blade. Brown bone beads for the surrounding native soil. Turquoise beads to capture the Mighty Missouri river these blades stood vigil over for nearly 10 millennium. And maybe a few more hand crafted bone or antler beads. I am basically done with the blade itself, I may do a bit more on it and of course I still need to drill the mounting hole and give it a good soaking for preservation. Hope you all like it.

[adamckee]

Just a few more, plus the original blade itself. This and a few other internet photos are all I had to go by for scaling down the blade.

[Scotto]

Adam that is so cool, you did a great job with it. It looks just like it.

You made that from bone?

[adamckee]

Thanks, Scotto. Yes, genuine, all American cow leg bone. LOL!

[kirby]

Awesome replication!

[OneOneNiner]

Excellent Adam! You nailed it all the way down to the dinger.
I think Jason will be honored when he sees this piece.
Can't wait to see it completed! Keep up the good work.

[neralich]

Very COOL Adam! To say it's an honor is an understatement!!

Looks even better than the ones you sent to my phone!

You have got some serious talent, bro,,very impressive and you did a great job capturing the "spirit" of the blade! Love it!!! Even added the small detail,, my "signature" of the blade and the dogleg notches!!

If it wasn't for the nickel or your hand, I'd never have guessed it to be so small!

Adam, These next pics are for you, buddy and can't wait for a chance to hit the river with you!

Got any bone carvings other than arrowheads we could see soon by any chance or do you only carve points? Skys the limit with that kind of patience and talent.

Jason

[adamckee]

Sweet pics Jason! I almost asked you for a pic or 2 but I didn't want to bug you more than I already have! If I would have had those pics I might have gotten the flaking a bit better. I really have only done some hearts, crosses, horse shoes, and arrowheads and just for family members. I had a perfect drill 98% finished until it broke. I recently sold 2 arrowhead necklaces to a buddy of mine. He is 1/2 Native American and he wanted one for him and his grandson. He absolutely freaked on them and told me he is going to get a portrait of him and his grandson, with the necklaces on, and no shirts! LOL! I thought that was hilarious! I never really got serious about this in the past, I just whipped up something as a gift. When I met my wife in High School, we were 16. I made her a bone heart that she wore for years (I know, kind of corny). But since I got serious about hunting points, it is all I can practically think about. Heck I am hunting points in my gravel driveway!

[neralich]

Lol!!!!

If I knew you were gonna get seroius about the carving, I'd a let you borrow the cast. I also have some red ochre. O well, you did awesome job!!! Sucks about the drill peice. Reminds me of some peices I spend hours on knapping and one wrong move and the peice snaps in two...

You and your wife been together since age 16!!! Wow! congrats on that.

I hunt gravel driveways also! The last time I hunted one, I found two black (standard) valve stem caps

[Middle Mountain]

Very Nice Gesture Adamckee! Very nice Replica