Blade Core Basics Part 1

All about the basics of Blades and cores. Shows several examples of prehistoric blade cores from various parts of the world, followed by diagrams and explanations of the requirements for successful blade removals from cores. The diagrams and discussion are intended for students and those interested in blade core technology. Part 1 of this series may be a bit dry for most folks, but part 2 will show how to make a blade core preform using hammerstone percussion. Part 3 will demonstrate pressure blade removal. It is my hope that this series will inspire others to try their hand at blade core making and ultimately answer some of the questions about our past.

[@Zane-It]

I always prefer making cores as opposed to braces. This video is an amazing learning tool.

[@isaacnewton4741]

Several, several years ago a woman I worked with who was from El Salvador gave me what she just said was a "very pretty rock" she found in El Salvador. I recognized it as obsidian but was really confused by the shape. To me it looked like someone had somehow faceted the sides to make it more or less symmetrical. Now that I see your videos I realize that it is a blade core!!! I am totally amazed and now I wonder just how old it is. I wish I could somehow find out if it was modern or really old. At least I know what it is now and I am so blown away.

[@paleomanjim]

Very cool, I am sure your blade core must be at least several hundred years old and it could possibly be go back 3K years. Only a handful of snappers have made blade cores, so anything from El Salvador is most likely the real thing. Some of the old ones that were made with pressure blade removal are nearly perfect, those guys were true masters!

[@isaacnewton4741]

paleomanjim I'm just thrilled to have it. I'm so tempted to try to get a blade off of it but because I've never done anything like that before I really don't want to mess it up. It's not to the stage where it has those parallel facets on it yet but maybe the stage just before that. After the Thanksgiving holiday I will send you some pics. I'm trying to get into knapping because of your fantastic videos and have ordered a beginners kit and found some black and red obsidian on ebay for what I can only guess was an ok price. I just wish I could find a really affordable source for knapping stone since it looks like I'm going to need allot of practice to do it well.

[@dez410]

@@isaacnewton4741 Dude, I hope you didn't try to take more off of it, leave it authentic and try to replicate it! Just my advice.

[@NORTH02]

You are the best Jim

[@paleomanjim]

Thanks and glad you liked the video, so many secrets of the past yet to learn!

[@EokaBeamer69]

Oh look at who we have here. I came to this video while watching the one you made on the Solutrean culture to learn about this knapping technique.

[@paleomanjim]

Yes, I have wondered the same thing also. It is interesting that Don Crabtree of Idaho re-discovered Blade core pressure blading over 50 years ago and yet there seems to be far more interest in blade cores in Europe than in the Americas. I am encouraged though that a lot of people from Mexico seem to be watching these Maquahuitl videos and asking how the blades were made. I am hoping some of them may try to learn the art of their ancestors and I believe they will.....jim

[@lananiru]

Your explanations are awesome. Thank you for taking the effort to draw all those things to explain even better!

[@canadiangemstones7636]

Absolutely fascinating stuff, thanks for sharing!

[@paleomanjim]

Glad you enjoyed it Thanks

[@sticknstonesbrkbones]

That was very informative. I like this sketch approach, I was able to visualize the platform isolating technique and the angles for blade removal much better on paper. Then you read my mind and answered my question at the end by referencing your books. Thx for the video

[@paleomanjim]

Thanks. I used recycled paper for the sketches and now I see the printing shows thru! Glad you like the video....jim

[@umopapisdnupsidedown]

Another excellent video, thanks very much! The references at the end were a nice touch. It's been very interesting to me that blade cores were so common for so long, but so few people seem to make/really understand them. Maybe it's because the blades look functional rather than fancy? In any case, I appreciate the video, it has improved my understanding of the subject. Cheers!

[@EokaBeamer69]

great explanation

[@TheBullethead]

Thanks for another excellent video! I've been getting more into core-based technologies lately and need all the help I can get.

[@vickruck01]

You are a really good knapper! I am a big fan!

[@Flintknappingtips]

Great lesson Jim. I've got your rox boxed up and will send mon.

[@greybeard355]

I found hundreds of cores of various sizes on one site in Hardin County Ky.

[@paleomanjim]

Thanks Marty, I'll let you know when it arrives....

[@paleomanjim]

Basalt would be tough to make blades from, really need high quality rock to bet the fractures to travel so far. If it is high quality basalt with a very smooth fracture... maybe? I am curious what the Hawaii basalts look like, I was on the big Island vacationing many years ago and found no knappable stone anywhere.....bummer....

[@joneblaze82]

Duktai Blade Cores how cool siberians rock, I like the ones that are front face core from siberia they look really neat have you ever seen one? Well this is just awsome thanks again and aloha from Maui :)

[@jonathanryals9934]

I have an old, obsidian core that I'd love to get your opinion on. if you can tell much from video...

[@somebodyoncetoldme1704]

The blades don't seem to follow conchoidal fracture pattern.

[@paleomanjim]

They do, it is the bulb of percussion

[@saltysergeant4284]

I'm new to blade cores. I've tried to find some, but can't seem to find practice cores. How much did you pay for that obsidian, who did you order from, and are there cheap throwaway practice cores, instead of the high end immediately?

[@paleomanjim]

I collected the obsidian from Glass Buttes Oregon and Davis Creek California.

[@joneblaze82]

The ones I saw were more banana shaped and front face only, these regular ones that are tiny are neat looking never seen one. p.s. Blade cores are tough to make I have only made a duktai one successfully and was like the one in our text book from stone tools analysis @ UH hilo anyway aloha p.s. can you make blade cores from Basalt material thats all we have here on Maui?

[@joneblaze82]

maunakea adze quarry second largest on earth next to the big one is the southwest. its protected so have to find maui quarry which i have not yet to get materials legally. cant believe you did not get the info on the quarry at the top of the volcano there. it needs cold to make the solidifying process happen quickly allowing it to become super dense and looks light gray for the premium material compared to the other darker gray stuff. its a cryptocrytalline structures not very desired ;/

[@billclancy4913]

I found a nice core in Monterey county Calif in an ancient beeswax chert refuse pile. If I still have it around I'll send you a pic.

[@paleomanjim]

Nice! Blade cores are rare up here.....