Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
side of two-ply cordage, or bend the splice bundle and splice into both sides of the cordage at
the same time. Stagger the splices to prevent weak spots in the cordage (see
fig. 7-44
).
Figure 7-44. Splicing fibers into hand-rolled cordage.
Simple Tools
You may find yourself surprisingly proud of your first efforts to fashion a piece of bone, stone,
or wood into a usable tool.
Discoidal Stone Knives
Probably the simplest way to get a knife, without access to modern tools, is to make a discoidal
knife (see
fig. 7-45
)
. Start with a fine-grained glassy rock, such as quartzite or basalt, prefer-
ably oval shaped. Obsidian, which is volcanic glass, breaks into sharper edges than the finest
metal scalpels and razor blades. Strike this rock (call it a “cobble”) against a larger rock (an
“anvil”) to bust off a sharp flake or disc of rock from the end. Riverbeds often contain many
fine-grained, rounded stones suitable for making into stone knives. Once you have broken one
disc off the cobble, it is usually easier to break the cobble into more sharp flakes.
