Grinding the monster axe - Part II

In spring 2019 I continued grinding the big thin-butted flint axe. After 11 hours of grinding some progress is visible, but there´s still a long way to go.

[@AesculusPavia]

Outstanding! The smiling face in the rock is an extension of the heart you have put into this project, and most definitely a reward for your dedication! My family and I are enjoying each step and looking forward to seeing more progress until it is complete. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@branni6538]

That's real nice. I bet it will cut real sharp when it's finished. Thanx

[@ulfr23]

Thanks, Brann I, but I don´t think that it was made for cutting. A flint axe with such a length and cross section would break at the slightest stress. We assume that these axes were designed just for ceremonial purpose.

[@iqupoul]

I've been waiting a long while for this video! :D Really great job, keep it up :)

[@Icemanshoes]

Very nice wulf! It´ s time to go out:)

[@MrBigCookieCrumble]

Love it!

[@tothzoltanhenrik1681]

Feine Sache!

[@pegrande6545]

Have you finished the polishing process? I would really love to see the final results, and know as well how many hours it took to completely even the surface. In the video it’s clear the enormous amount of effort and time that you’re putting in this piece, and I can’t even imagine how hard it must be, congratulations for your struggle through this gorgeous and amazing work of art :)

[@ulfr23]

No, I´m sorry I didn´t yet, had too much other work to do. But I will continue this summer. Thanks for your encouragement!

[@pup9et]

Great video. Whoever knapped that biface needs to learn how to no step fracture. You'd cut your polishing time by 1/3.

[@ulfr23]

Thanks, JM. But this is no biface, but a 4sided thin butted axe. Knapping this kind of tool without producing step fractures is almost impossible because of the rectangular square section. The Axe was knapped by Danish master knapper Sophus Stenak, and as for me I would be very happy if I only manage to produce just a four side axe :-)

[@pup9et]

@@ulfr23 Well if you ask me its {was supposed to be} a bi-face or preform. Ive been knapping 25yrs, and been around some of the best knappers in the world and never have i ever seen a rough piece of work with that many step fractures. Let alone from one who claims he is a "Master Knapper". Does this guy have a website? KZbin page? I've never heard of him. But i'm in the US. If you want to see a real "master knapper" Who has even been featured on the history channel. An made hundreds of Axe's and even a 1 meter ceremonial blade. Check out Jim Winn. PS. Im not trying to be insulting. But he created more work Roughing that out and leaving those nasty looking step fractures. JIm's KZbin kzbin.info. Also, I just watched one of his videos. An he is not getting his flakes to terminate evenly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIPOYoVve8Z0ic0

[@ulfr23]

@@pup9et No problem, Jack. Jim Winn is wellknown here in Germany. As for Sofus´ adress, please check "Monster axe part I" Sofus - I call him master knapper, not he himself! - is just 20something, but able to knap any kind of flint tool you want, incl. I C daggers with parallel retouch. When he gave me the axe, he said that he wasn´t really content with his own work, especially the B-side. But if you look at the originals - and I´ve seen and touched tens of thousands of axes during my professional work - most of them are not as accurate as you would expect. And please keep in mind, that Sofus - just as neolithic knappers - works with antler tools only, no copper allowed!

[@iqupoul]

@@pup9et Try looking up Sofus' page on Facebook. "Lithics by Stenak"

[@Sgtassburgler]

Did you finish the axe?

[@ulfr23]

No, not yet. It´s hard to find spare time nowadays ...