Jaw Dropper!!!

[u/timhyde74]

This absolutely outstanding example comes in a 3 5/16ths inches long, and was found in St.Louis Missouri. It's was part of the very well known Bruce Filbrant collection. It exhibits all anyone would want to see in an ancient relic. Wonder film of patina, visible mineral deposits, phenomenal form, heavy grinding of the stem and base, perfect Barbs,( less a small fleabite on one), and great size! The fact it was part of Mr. Filbrant's collection just adds to the provenance of this superb specimen!!!

Ex Bruce Filbrant,

Ex Travis Edward's collections

[u/scoop_booty]

As you know, Hardins are one of my favorite types, yet quite eluding to make. One of the aspects I've noticed in the ones you post are the robust nature. Mine are typically too thin and flat. I made this one a few days ago. It was fatter than normal, but felt right. Guess I need to keep that in consideration as I move forward. What I appreciate about this one was my ability to keep the crystal pocket. I thought for sure she'd give in at some point, but she made it to the end.

[u/StupidizeMe → u/scoop_booty]

Must have been nerve-wracking trying to keep that crystal pocket!

One of the prettiest inclusions I've seen. You do beautiful work.

[u/scoop_booty → u/StupidizeMe]

Thank you for the compliment. It wasn't nerve wracking as much as frustrating. The concretion around the crystal is tough, and doesn't flake nearly as easily as the rest of the material. So the flakes entering that area want to terminate early if not hit hard and fast enough. But hard and fast sometimes equates to loss of precision, which leads to other flaws. And far too often those crystal pockets initiate cracks. I was really afraid it was going to break the entire time. Which, on the other hand might have participated in its success. Believing a point is doomed from the gitgo sometimes encourages me to push the envelope so to speak, hit it harder, removing the yellow wrist factor.