In Smithsonian Magazine, October 1986, is an article titled, "Cro-Magnon hunters were really us, working out strategies for survival." On page 77 is a paragraph that I quote in its entirety:
"The newcomers developed an entirely different style. For one thing, toolmaking became considerably more sophisticated. The Neanderthals tended to be local-minded opportunists, relying mainly on flint sources close to home base, using a technique that yielded thick flakes and an estimated 40 inches of cutting edge per pound of flint. The Cro-Magnons were more selective, often obtaining special fine-grained and colorful flints from quarries as much as 250 miles away, and their punched-blade technique yielded 40 feet of cutting edge per pound. Furthermore, they improved on nature by heat-treating the material. They learned that flint raised to temperatures of 400 to 1,100 degrees F and cooled slowly becomes more elastic, easier to work."
Would this technique allow knapping and/or grinding flints to a more regular, durable cutting surface without otherwise harming the flint?
Does the flint's enhanced flexibility degrade its ability to function as steel scraper?
Does flexibility of heat treat disappear after specific amount of time?
Has anyone used heat-treated flints? With what results?
Does this technique work with other materials, such as granite? Granite, were it to retain a regular scraping surface, would be a significantly more durable scraping agent than flint. Since I hear nothing about "granite locks" or "obsidian locks," I assume these minerals have problems when being used as scraping agent that flint does not. But I have no clue what the problems are.
