This might be the first time in over 60,000 years that the first tutorials making resin has been broadcast or seen by anyone non-old school native to Australia ever, period
david morris thanks, im no expert at all. I know my ancestors use to use their teeth to create a serrated edge on the edge of the blade. There are also many other ways to create knives from different rocks. Bones were also used too. Much appreciated for the comment
quartzite is kinda grainy, striking cores from a glassy rock like chert or flint is better tho heat treating those make more glossy and good for blades Or u can also haft them and use them thatway
Damn Ebeggar oh true. If you are close to heathcote, there are grass trees there or a place called Brisbane ranges in Victoria have millions of the trees too. Even if you live in the city, go to places like bunnings and collect the sap from the trees in their yard! Lol. Speak to plant centres to see if you can collect the sap from the base of the trees too.
I’ve been trying to make s few stone leilira blades but haven’t found the right stone yet, they just crumble. I wanted to ask, I read an article on the old Sicut Mklll Lelira survival knife in the 90’s stating that the aborigines wore a leilira or stone flake knife in their hair or headband, do you know anything about this or anyone who does?
Hi! Do you usually attach the blade to a stick/spear? In that case, would you use ochre to increase the binding strength between the blade and the stick? Thanks!
hey David, apologies for the late response. no sorry, the ochre is just as a decoration in many ways. the strength of this is created between the Kangaroo poo (mainly crass fibers), the charcoal and the grass tree resin being slowly heated and mixed together. its really incredibly strong. I sometimes take into school talks and ask the kids to try and break the resin/glue, no one can break it once its hardened. not always the case. I just think traditionally with my ancestors, its like when we sharpen and maintain our 'kitchen knives' by sharpening them every now and then, that is what my ancestors did, sharpening their blades and ensuring the glue/resin is still affxed to the blade. the resin is completely re=bondable.
@@davidgaitero have you every tried to use the Xanthorrhoea resin? u really do need to heat it at a very low gradual heat. I've failed so many times with making the resin/glue.
Grant Buxton hey thanks for the comment. I believe the rock to be quartzite. It’s quiet grainy and has a glass sound when u hit it. The edges of the rock are very sharp and can easily cut ur hand when working with it. Chert, silcrete and quartz were also used, however from my knowledge i find silcrete to be the best material to use... unfortunately the silcrete isn’t very common in my area.
hey there, the grass tree resin forms as a 'ball' of sap and sometimes drops off the base of the grass tree, so can be found around the base of the tree. if you cannot access the grass tree, you may like to look into accessing the spinifex grass in Aus.
You can use any pine or conifer pitch mixed with charcoal, or with ochre, or include something like finely ground up plant material like deer/elk droppings. I use pitch mixed with charcoal or red ochre to get a nice color, different materials, similar results.
Have you seen any evidence of Australian Aboriginal stone tools made with the same refinement as Ancient european stone tools or North American stone tools with more pressure flaked edges, Australian Aboriginal stone tools seem less refined or worked.
Mr Lee Chapman thanks for the comment- mine is super super basic . My ancestors had at a point in history the most advanced stone tools in the world. A few links below to show more in depth flaked tools australianmuseum.net.au/uploads/journals/16839/342_complete. www.scootle.edu.au/ec/viewing/R7584/index.html
christopher snedeker there has also been recent articles which indicate aboriginal tools found dating back to 80,000 yrs old. www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/19/dig-finds-evidence-of-aboriginal-habitation-up-to-80000-years-ago
Thanks for the reply, I am very keen on traditional Australian Aboriginal primitive techniques. I would like to see some artefacts made from start to finish without European influences IE steel axes. I believe this skill is a real dying art.
survivalaustralia01 thanks too, happy to make these and plan just been so busy. I do have a plan over next two weeks to record making boomerangs, digging sticks, stone hatchets, shields, etc. i have some commissioned work I need to complete so will be doing the recording. Happy to keep taking your suggestions too.
