A large flint artifact with a chisel-end, the tranchet flake has a cutting edge that is sharp and straight.
Knapping freehand allows for greater control while supporting the core against the leg makes the work easier.
Using seven people who were right-handed and able to flintknap, the experiment showed that hand preference did not restrict which side was used during the tranchet flake removal.
However, the difference between handheld and supported against the leg knapping may also play a role: though handheld allows more control, supporting the core could allow for the production of what is deemed as the more difficult tranchet flake for right handers -the ones made from being struck from the left side.
Another reason why the results between the experiment and real-life may be different is also the techniques and methods of making tranchet flakes.
Flaking technology at the acheulean site of Boxgrove (West Sussex, England) Cognitive Archaeology and Human Evolution