It has been suggested that the degree of refinement of trimming seen on Lower Paleolithicbifaces (hand axes) reflects the level of technical sophistication of the toolmaker. This has been tested by a series of experiments carried out at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, and related to some of the archaeological assemblages there. It is concluded that advanced ideas and increased mastery over raw materials do not necessarily result in stone tools that are more refined in appearance. -- AATA