I do like mahogany obsidian. If you ever come to the US then you'll have to go to the state of Oregon, particularly the Glass Butte area. It's a free collection site so you could get a lifetime supply of material and ship it to the UK.😁
That looks like Mahogany Obsidian from Modoc county in northern California. I take my kids rock hounding there from time to time. It is stunningly beautiful stuff but soooooo brittle and sharp. I cringed every time you struck it because I have worked with it before and wow, it is dangerous.
Knowing the quality of mahogany obsidian makes the tool you’ve made more impressive. I always wondered if obsidian worked up like other stones. It’s basically a glass stone. What a wonderful piece of art and useful tool. 👍
Your profession is fascinating! Years ago I was reading the book series Clan of the Cave Bear, and two or three books in they go pretty in detail into flint knapping. It was described that a master knapper figured out how to make long blades without the natural curve by some heating process. Again, it was years ago so i don't remember details, but I was wondering if there's any validity to that, and have you read the series? Thank you for sharing your skills with us.
I read that book series Jean M Auel is a knapper, I was never able to follow her descriptions as a teen, but as soon as I began knapping I realised those descriptions are valid technique. Most of the 'inventions' the main character makes are real, though she's credited with rather a lot; Discovering heat treatment, inventing the spear thrower and the eyed needle
You could wear those fingertipless gloves, no? That would keep most of your hand protected, while still leaving the most tactile and nimble parts exposed. Also, this feels like a lot of work and rare materials to put into a weapon that has a decent chance of cracking the first time it strikes bone. But when you've got to kill someone I guess you don't skimp on the hardware, just ask the US military xD Also also, that axe is gorgeous.
The skills you have are second to none 👍 love your videos . Looking forward to hearing the next part of your stone age story as well Much love from your friends in Wales Ritchie and Raven xx
Bin watching your videos only recently. I see you have great skill & knowledge. Your stone work is very impressive. That's a lovely piece of stone & timber . Looking forward to watching & learning more. Happy new year to you & your followers.
Back before lasers, Obsidian flakes were sometimes used in eye surgery as they were sharper than a stainless steel blade could be made and did not have the microscopic hooks that all steel blades have. , or so I have read. The edge of an obsidian flake is perfectly smooth.
Wow! That is one of the prettiest pieces of stone (if I can call it stone) I have ever seen. I do have a thought though. Without your experience, I would have made, or attempted to make, the stone head first and then tried to match the setting in wood afterwards as wood is easier to work. That is, in my modern day experience. Is this a preference of yours or is there something I'm not seeing?
I’ve seen a lot of wood burnt finish looks like that one, I’m trying to make a spear myself, how do you get that look on wood without burning it primitively?
Don't want to be a nay sayer, but while it will be as good or better than it's predecessor it ain't gonna be in the game against your worst nightmare of the current crop of military Muscle 😮
Fascinating that the stone took its price in blood immediately after you told it it was to be a weapon of war.
Blood isn't uncommon, especially for obsidians. I've been cut more by mahogany than any other type too. Coincidentally I guess.
Fascinating that he didn't get a cut until he began working with the sharp material. 🤔
That is a nice chunk of Mahogany Obsidian! You are a brave man using that size of stone and bone on volcanic glass without a hand pad!
To think that that axe head sat in the earth for 10 million years before finally being freed in the year 2023. Its incredible.
I think the enemy might get caught up in admiring the axe as it cracked their skull.
You did that stone justice.
Great video!
if it crops up, you will have a large contingency of brethren at your side
Cheers mate!
Love the joy in your face when a plan comes together
I do like mahogany obsidian. If you ever come to the US then you'll have to go to the state of Oregon, particularly the Glass Butte area. It's a free collection site so you could get a lifetime supply of material and ship it to the UK.😁
"key behind these rocks is you've to tune into them" SNAP. Your content is as real as the technology. Thank you for this will
Ice axe! That Osage make one tough handle!
That looks like Mahogany Obsidian from Modoc county in northern California. I take my kids rock hounding there from time to time. It is stunningly beautiful stuff but soooooo brittle and sharp. I cringed every time you struck it because I have worked with it before and wow, it is dangerous.
Knowing the quality of mahogany obsidian makes the tool you’ve made more impressive. I always wondered if obsidian worked up like other stones. It’s basically a glass stone. What a wonderful piece of art and useful tool. 👍
Thanks Will. Another amazing primitive tool. 🔪🎸
Great videos you’re a true Briton 👍🇬🇧
Love watching talented people show their craft. Always amazing and relaxing.
The colours in that Obsidian are amazing 😃 Stunning creation brother 🤘
Mahogany obsidian, product of Mexico! Beautiful material. Sometimes even clear stripes.
It so interesting watching you actually make something I've previously inly seen as an illustration in a book.👍
that picture at the end was real nice!
🐅 Tiger axe. Perfect combo of elements.
I watch your videos. There's a meditative quality to watching how you give form to the materials.
Would like to watch you finish the glue and strap next time
When it comes to a war axe ,
Your better looking at it ,than looking for it 😂
Great birthday gift! Beautiful piece of obsidian.
That is so sharp it cut my eye just looking at it lol. Beautiful stone and work.
Excellent
Dang man your good that’s an awesome peice of work
What a stunning piece of obsidian!!
Cool videro. Good job. I crafted a self bow out of Osage. Hard wood!!!!!
wow! crazy beautiful !!!
Obsidian is extremely susceptible to end snap and quite happy to extract a blood price. I keep a tube of superglue near whenever I knapp it.
What beautiful colors that stone possesses.
I don't need gloves when I've got useless plasters to fall back on... lol 🤣
Will is the master craftsman - what a beautiful battle axe! Thanks for sharing your time and art. Cheers - Roy
Blood, sweat and deers
Certainly sharp stuff but looks like it likes to shatter easily
Going to be a good war axe as already taken first blood 🩸
Wow amazing precision. Great job you sure made a beautiful piece in no time at all!
Always a joy to watch you work a flint. 🐾🙏🏻✌🏻
What an exquisite bit of work! That was mesmerising watching you work that obsidian.
Your profession is fascinating! Years ago I was reading the book series Clan of the Cave Bear, and two or three books in they go pretty in detail into flint knapping. It was described that a master knapper figured out how to make long blades without the natural curve by some heating process. Again, it was years ago so i don't remember details, but I was wondering if there's any validity to that, and have you read the series? Thank you for sharing your skills with us.
I read that book series Jean M Auel is a knapper, I was never able to follow her descriptions as a teen, but as soon as I began knapping I realised those descriptions are valid technique.
Most of the 'inventions' the main character makes are real, though she's credited with rather a lot; Discovering heat treatment, inventing the spear thrower and the eyed needle
love to see this vs some meat, bet it's wicked
Happy New Year Ol' Bean.
You could wear those fingertipless gloves, no?
That would keep most of your hand protected, while still leaving the most tactile and nimble parts exposed.
Also, this feels like a lot of work and rare materials to put into a weapon that has a decent chance of cracking the first time it strikes bone.
But when you've got to kill someone I guess you don't skimp on the hardware, just ask the US military xD
Also also, that axe is gorgeous.
The skills you have are second to none 👍 love your videos . Looking forward to hearing the next part of your stone age story as well
Much love from your friends in Wales Ritchie and Raven xx
Happy New year to you and your family.
Master craftsmanship
Bin watching your videos only recently. I see you have great skill & knowledge. Your stone work is very impressive. That's a lovely piece of stone & timber . Looking forward to watching & learning more. Happy new year to you & your followers.
Brilliant mate! Absolutely loving the videos!
Do you have any advice as to where to find flint?
Awesome looking Axe
Are you expecting the White Walkers to get past the wall and invade the North?
Some of these flakes look as sharp as the scalpels I use for my tabletop war minis.
Back before lasers, Obsidian flakes were sometimes used in eye surgery as they were sharper than a stainless steel blade could be made and did not have the microscopic hooks that all steel blades have. , or so I have read. The edge of an obsidian flake is perfectly smooth.
That'd be an axe for chopping down your enemies.
Great! Did you ever think of making an aztec obsidian sword? There are soo many shards
Macuahuitl! Love those things.
Will: what type of sheath or scabbard would work best for a battle axe like/similar to yours? thanks Roy
Beautiful
Wow! That is one of the prettiest pieces of stone (if I can call it stone) I have ever seen. I do have a thought though. Without your experience, I would have made, or attempted to make, the stone head first and then tried to match the setting in wood afterwards as wood is easier to work. That is, in my modern day experience. Is this a preference of yours or is there something I'm not seeing?
How does obsidian feel to work in comparison to flint? Does your technique change based on material?
Fascinating. Is there anything you can do with the pieces you’ve knocked off?
Pretty
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
Albert Einstein.
😎👍🏼
Очень круто!
I’ve seen a lot of wood burnt finish looks like that one, I’m trying to make a spear myself, how do you get that look on wood without burning it primitively?
Soak it in water, it will burn the surface but not do too much to the rest of the wood structure.
So do you abrade off the edges of the axe head where the leather is going to go up against it?
:)
Don't want to be a nay sayer, but while it will be as good or better than it's predecessor it ain't gonna be in the game against your worst nightmare of the current crop of military
Muscle 😮
They wear dresses and toenail polish
Nice recovery!!! Sooooo what are you going to make out of that awesome other piece?!?!?