INTERESTED IN THIS HOLIDAY'S ORIGINS? CHECK OUT THESE VIDEOS. Also be sure and tell me of other interesting holidays practiced this time of year.:

Hanukkah
The Story Of Kwanzaa
 

THE CUTTING EDGE...HUMANKIND'S FIRST TECHNOLOGY
Have you ever thought of the origins of tools? Sure most of us who practice primitive and survival skills know a little bit of archaeological history and know a little something about the stone age and the origins of that first stone cutting tool on the Oduvai Peninsula which was nothing more than a stone flake that may have been the result of a stone falling off the edge of a cliff and shattering or maybe even have been deliberately bashed against another stone and maybe after walking around in the debris and getting cut feet someone got the idea that 'hey, this could be useful'. Here is how a character in my 7 volume fantasy series RAVENQUEST I wrote put it:

“If you wish to be a great hunter, learn to listen with all your senses. Terra Zem will speak to all who are listening. She speaks in every break of a branch, she speaks in the sounds and the silence of the forest, she speaks through every track and sign…listen…listen she does speak always. Learn to observe the four-leggeds, prey as well as predator. This way you not only learn to hunt but you learn the ways of the creatures you wish to eat. Respect all living things. We are all responsible and have part in maintaining the great circle of life. Take only what you need and leave the rest. Use all parts of your kill if possible and share with the rest of the forest that which you cannot use. Give respect to the spirit of your prey no matter how small. Be thankful to your prey and the Creator for the sustenance you will receive from your kill. Before a hunt make yourself invisible as possible by camouflaging yourself and covering your smell. Be aware of the direction of the wind and always hunt downwind or above your prey if possible,” I said as I picked up some dried grass and dropped it from my hand watching which direction it blew. “Everyone look at your claws. Now look at your teeth. Do you have wings like the eagle?” I said jokingly and all laughed. “Now look at Altair, Alkul and Platis’ teeth and claws.” Altair seemed more than glad to show his teeth and snarl a little. “We do not have the claws and teeth of the forest creatures that is why we need our weapons. The blade by your side is your teeth. The blowgun, atlatl and the arrow are your wings to swoop down upon your prey. The sling and the throwing stick give you strength to strike down prey larger and stronger than you. Your traps and snares are your stealth and ability to strike without being seen. "---Raven, Book 2 of RAVENQUEST, ‘The Scroll & The Key’

A cutting edge can be more than a stone tool. There are many things that cut if we think about it.

    A composite knife of bone and stone flakes can be made from small, stone flakes and a short rib bone. Using a hammer stone pound the edge of the bone along the length of the area you intend on inserting stone flakes for an edge. Do not pound where you intend on gripping the knife. Pound it till the marrow is exposed then take a thin flake and scrape out a slot of a suitable depth to insert stone flakes, leaving enough of an edge exposed to be useful. You will need to secure these stone flakes by using hide glue or pine pitch. Hide glue is strongest.

    A knife can also be ground from a large rib bone of a deer, cow, buffalo, etc. First cut out the section of bone you intend on using. This can be accomplished using a stone flake and carving a groove around the diameter of the area you wish to cut. You can cut all the way through the bone doing it this way or after a fairly deep groove is made take a hammer stone and tap along the groove as you lay the bone on an anvil until it breaks. If done properly it should only break along the groove. Boiling the bone a while will sometimes soften the bone making it easier to score. Now, using a sanding stone sand the bone into the rough shape of a knife. Allowing space for a grip, leave this area in the shape it is in. Score half-way around the guard area of the handle. Now grind along where the edge will be until you are just about to break through to marrow. Take a hammer stone and tap along the edge of the blade area all along the edge, sort of a bi-polar technique, until the bone begins to separate. Now, gently pry away and discard the half of bone on the side that has been scored at the guard of the knife. Next, grind down the blade of the knife along the edge and finish the edge with a sandstone and progressing to something smoother, like slate. Leave the back of the blade unground. It will help preserve the bone knife if you rub it down with vegetable oil or fat of some kind.

    Similar to the rib bone knife, Seminole Indians made knives in this manner from the jawbone of alligators.  The harder the bone used the sharper an edge you will have. Of course, harder bone is also going to take longer to wear down. Wooden knives are also not to be discounted. Australian aborigine boomerangs were sharp enough along the edges to butcher an animal with, such as the emu. A piece of River Cane cut in such a way to produce a good edge works very well.  

    And as far as stone knives go, do you use your best collectible knife for skinning a deer? Of course not! I believe it was the same with primitive people. These big fancy stone knives are beautiful, functional and works of art but I believe the everyday kitchen knife was just a stone flake. I have butchered deer many times myself with only a stone flake. So, think about it. Tools are usually as close as your hands. Like my mentor Steve Watts used to say 'Hands and fingers were the original digital technology.'...get it? Fingers? Digits? Think about it you will get it later.

AND SPEAKING OF BEAUTIFUL STONE BLADES.....
My friend Brian Peacock makes some of the most beautiful stone knives and points I have ever seen. Just click on the image and check out what he has to offer and order one for yourself or a friend!