How did flake tools differ from core tools?

In the study of Stone Age anthropology, tools are primarily distinguished by their manufacturing intent and physical characteristics.

Core Tools

Core tools are generally the largest implements. They were created by taking a fist-sized piece of rock and removing several large flakes to produce a sharp, jagged crest. These served as general-purpose tools for heavy tasks like pounding, hacking, or cutting. Over time, these were refined through overall chipping to become thinner and more efficient, such as the Acheulean hand ax, which utilized bifacial working to create a symmetrical, sharp-edged implement.12

Flake Tools

True flake tools represent a shift in manufacturing strategy where the artisan specifically sought the detached flake for use, often discarding the core from which it was struck. Unlike the casual by-products of core tool production, these were made deliberately to serve a specific function. They are characterized by a "bulb of percussion" on the lower surface, which indicates the point of impact where the flake was removed from the core. Advanced techniques, such as the Levalloisian, involved carefully shaping the core beforehand to ensure the resulting flake had a predetermined, symmetrical form.314