Backed Knife

[uniface]

Backed tools are an artifact class. These have the sides opposite the cutting edge napped/ground blunt, have cortex there or, like this one, are tranchet flaked at a 90-degree angle. The intention behind this is to be able to really bear down without risking the hand damage a sharp edge could cause. This one is of Camden chert from western Tennessee.

 

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[ArfieBoy]

That is a gorgeous blade. I love the color! Thanks for sharing that one.

 

[outlaws15]

Thats cool info.
Its great being around people who have forgotten more info then I will ever know.
Thanks

 

[newnan man]

Still looks sharp. Nice blade.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

Now that makes total sense..they could always sharpen the other side if need be. I wonder why this style wasn’t the most common? I’ve always wondered how these dual edged blades were used if not hafted.

 

[dognose]

very nice relic.

 

[uniface]

Glad it, and things like it, appeal to you. On this end, there's a lot more intrinsic interest & play value in them than there is in points by themselves. Same ingenuity in the manufacture of both, but specific intents vary whereas, in points, it's pretty much the same old after a while. Diff'rent strokes.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

Do you happen to have other examples or know of good examples?

 

[uniface]

Both decortication blades, both radial fracture tools and the ear knife all have been. Easy to find; dubious as to whether many want to see them again.

Brief search turned this one up for you:

 

[Tesorodeoro]

Thanks.

 

[kentucky Quinn]

I would think this one would fit in the above described category? One of my very favorite non-point finds. Surface find in the back flats overhang on my property. Has the cortex as described. Serrated edge.



Fits perfectly in right hand , of course. Can find usage damage along blade edge as well. Thanks

 

[uniface]

Bingo !

 

[kentucky Quinn]

One more. Found same place on surface. Actually sitting on large stone. Probably sat there a long time before my arrival...has the cortex edge on back side with super smooth marbled other side. Pretty sure it was some sort of similar tool. Thanks





Thanks for the lesson

 

[uniface]

If the smooth(-ed) edge is opposite the working edge, it's a backed tool. Cortex, in and of itself, only indicates initial reduction stage.

 

[kentucky Quinn]

Ok. That also makes sense thanks

 

[uniface]

Your first one, FWIW, would be a "D Knife" to those who recognise them as an artifact class.

 

[H.P.]

I have more somewhere but this was in a box in the corner..I need to soak it in vinegar, clean it up ,

 

[uniface]

You find neat stuff !

 

[Tnmountains]

We always called these hoof scrapers. This one is unifaced with the rind still attached.

Here is the worked side.


Here is the back side.



Imagine it would be a good hide scraper today even. Also this a a pretty large tool.

 

[Edgychris1]

I found something g a while ago similar. Thought failed tool in production. Could this be what you are talking about. Quartzite. Thin side could slice skin. Super sharp.
Thanks Chris

Thanks Chris[SUP][/SUP]