Soft Hammer percussion earns its name because the hammer or 'billet' is softer than the stone being worked. They are also softer than the hammerstones used in the earlier stages of knapping. Billets in prehistory were usually antler, although hard woods could also have been used. Many modern flintknappers opt for copper billets when they soft hammer.
When selecting antler for billets, you want to use a thick portion of the antler. The base or crown, where the antler attaches to the skull works well. After the antler has been cut off, look at the cross-section. Most antlers will have a ring of dense material surrounding a porous interior. The less porous the interior the better for the purposes of knapping. Moose antler is highly prized for being quite dense. It is, however, quite large and heavy and not practical for a lot of knapping.
"How the heck can you use a hammer softer than the rock" you may well ask. And well you may. The trick here is that you are not just going to bash away at the rock. Soft Hammer relies on finesse and technique, rather than force. This is true of most other knapping techniques, but is especially so with soft hammer. The flakes removed with a soft hammer have a bending initiation. When the hammer strikes the edge of the piece you are working, the edge bends a bit and a small part of it breaks off and stays on the flake which is removed. A flake removed from an arrowhead with a soft hammer will have a slight lip on its underside. This lip is only formed by bending initiations and is one of the clues archaeologists can use to determine what sort of tools were being made at a site and how they were made - just from the flakes left behind!
One of the funniest situations of my life!!! I'm laughing hysterically just thinking about it. You have some f'ed up friend for hiding to watch you go through the entire scenario!
Actually, possibly before then. If I get all my school work done before I'll be at cabinfest. We should meet in Albany before camp and head out there together '02 style.
so how do i buy a copy of the one where you sing Prince all slow?
How are you?
Rodrigo and I are in Spain, you and Dan welcome to stop by if you happen to be in the area!
Hey SHP, Mark Wise here. Just wanted to ask you a quick question: Can I kill your soul? I don't want to take forever murdering it or anything - just give it a quick deathing. Maybe some slight soul-torture, but nothing extreme. Perhaps a little spirit-waterboarding? Anyhoo, let me know. THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN
Do not forget that very small bulbs of percussion, argued above to be indicative of soft hammer percussion, can also imply the use of pressure reduction techniques, be them with soft or hard hammers. This is especially the case with final tool reduction (i.e., bifacial thinning), retouch, and other curation techniques. Usually, however, pressure reduction is conducted with soft hammers, so in most instances, the point is moot.
Keep New Year's going, by coming out to Albany and celebrating with one of New York's Biggest Electronic Music Crews - MASSIVE AUDIO is Celebrating 4 years of RISE with one of New York's Biggest DJs- TOMMIE SUNSHINE!
Last night was quite tight. Somehow, the SHP-Dsan curse continues. I haven't had a clean tape of you in ages. I missed just a little of archipelago, but it still came out nice. Will be ready soon!
Shp, I'd like to apologize for the shortcomings of your show a week ago. I assumed everything would run smoothly into the night but didn't expect both my sound guy and recording engineer to bounce before your set. I wasn't prepared to take over at that capacity.
I heard you had great sets on friday and sunday (a fresh kaiser roll), so lets just say that saturday (the tuna fish) was a little spoiled.
Again, hope you accept my apologies, hope to see you guys again soon.
-Dsan
yeah im a scumbag.....def didnt make it off the east side the other night...kinda lost my phone and flipped my shit so yeah that was my deal....keep your billet proper
Yo Soft Hammer...how you livin'? you should come to North Carolina and break down the rock for the Southern Man. It could take a while, people are pretty stupid here. Anyway, Miss you fools.
XOXO SOBIK LOVE!! hope all is well in your jammy jamming world. <3 if youre being me for halloween dont forget to wear a feedbag full of fries and candy
