Knife : cdocro

[meetmaker]

The technology of stone knife working, as complex as it is, starts with a simple premise. Break a rock and you will get an edge. Ohio spent much of its time under water. In my area of Middle Eastern Ohio "native" stone is sand stone and limestone. Flints are mostly a Mercer Chert, generally found in small pieces. Cobbles large enough for blades and tools are rare. All other materials were delivered by glaciers. Simple flake tools like the one pictured did the job well enough. Skilled in stone work, an ancient artisan could readily bust flakes off any rock laying around. Easily dulled the tool would be tossed and another used. In the first photo the cutting edge runs from the point at the left along the bottom to that notch at the right. The next two (artifact flipped end for end) try to show the bevel along the cutting edge and the spokeshave at the top. Said spokeshave also provides a handy hold for the index finger. This tool would have taken just moments to fashion, yet is as ergonomic as any other. A testimony to the skill of the craftsman.

[drdave514]

It has the right overall shape but I'm not seeing where it was worked to that shape. I guess if you knock off a big piece like that and use it until it's dull and then pitch it without resharpening it I can understand where it might have been used. Had I found it.... I'd probably have left it behind. Interesting piece.

[rokdok]

I think you are right about it. An edge is never as sharp as when it is broken off the core.

[drdave514]

I wouldn't quite say that, after pondering. It depends on what you are going to cut. Some things are much easier to cut with the serrated resharpened edge than with the original razor edge. And getting much of any kind of sharp edge with limestone or sandstone...... quite a stretch in my opinion.

[rokdok]

You may be right, i have not seen edged tools down here made of limestone or sandstone.A lot of our stuff is coral.

[meetmaker]

Thank you all for your interest and for allowing me to benefit from your experiences. These forums are fantastic for sharing and opening paths to new knowledge.