MAQUAHUITL MAKING TIPS

Hi Paul,
I recived your e-mail, and as you recomend me, I'm here in the forum.
I want to know how is the blade made, I' ve got some obsidiana, but I don't know exactly how I can tilling it. I Try hitting obsidian with a river stone, but this is only partiste and I did not achieve any shape

I also would like to know how to place the shape on the edge of maquahuitl. I mean, it's pasted? or something like that.

I really apreciate your help

Javier

The two basics I can think of is where you hit it and what with.

There are two kinds of hammers, hard and soft. Hard hammers tend to removed chunks, soft hammers remove thinner flakes. If you are using a stone you are using a very hard hammer. There are two way to get a soft hammer. Buy one (a moose billet or copper bopper) or make one.

It's basically a stick with a copper cap for a water pipe bought from you local DIY store, glued to it. To make it heaviers lead can be added.

Here's a tutorial

http://wilderix.wordpress.com/2007/09/28/making-copper-boppers/


Hitting the obsidian is a little more tricky. Here's an excellent basic video.
Note the angle he hits at. The shape of the flint he strikes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyuzh1uaSf4

Hope this helps