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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: RGK on April 07, 2007, 05:00:00 PM

Title: Knapping chert and making an arrow
Post by: RGK on April 07, 2007, 05:00:00 PM

I was asked by a friend to make a replica arrow for is den. I was at the WI deer and turkey expo last weekend and picked up some chert stone flakes that will work great for this project.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/chert1.jpg)

I used a nice, thin, white piece for the arrowhead.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/chert2.jpg)

I made some wood and cooper tools and an antler brow tine to flake away the stone. The leather is to protect my hand as I press the coper tool against the chert. The flakes are sharp.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/chert3.jpg)

I started by squaring off the bottom of the flake and then chipped the head to shape.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/chert4.jpg)

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/chert5.jpg)

Lastly I added the grooves to each side that will be used to tie the head to the shaft. This is where I make the most mistakes and break the head.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/chert6.jpg)

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/chert7.jpg)

Next, I used a knife to cut a groove in the end of a wood shaft to accept the stone head.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/chert8.jpg)

Title: Re: Knapping chert and making an arrow
Post by: RGK on April 07, 2007, 05:01:00 PM

I will trim away the extra wood after I tie the head on.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/chert9.jpg)

To tie the head to the shaft, I use the sinew I save from the loins/backstraps from my deer.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/chert91.jpg)

It separates into nice thin threads.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/chert92.jpg)

I soaked the sinew threads in cold water to soften and stretch them.  While waiting, I stained the wood shaft. The sinew does not really get tied onto the shaft. It is more like wrapping a wet noodle around the shaft. After I put on a few layers, I dried it with a blow dryer (just like I'm sure the early people did). This makes it shrink tight. I then rub the sinew with a block of bees wax to waterproof it so it won't get wet and loosen up.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/chert93.jpg)

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/chert94.jpg)

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/chert95.jpg)

For the fletching, I went back to the turkey feathers and tied them on.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/chert96.jpg)

Title: Re: Knapping chert and making an arrow
Post by: Hot Hap on April 07, 2007, 05:23:00 PM

Wow-Wish I had that kind of ability. Hap

Title: Re: Knapping chert and making an arrow
Post by: ber643 on April 07, 2007, 08:44:00 PM

Nice! Your friend will be pleased.

Title: Re: Knapping chert and making an arrow
Post by: Budog56 on April 07, 2007, 09:10:00 PM

Awesome work!!!  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Knapping chert and making an arrow
Post by: TimBow2 on April 07, 2007, 09:31:00 PM

nice

Title: Re: Knapping chert and making an arrow
Post by: JEFF B on April 07, 2007, 09:31:00 PM

hey real cool bro   :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Knapping chert and making an arrow
Post by: drewsbow on April 07, 2007, 09:35:00 PM

Very nice :0)

Title: Re: Knapping chert and making an arrow
Post by: mich-mtnman on April 08, 2007, 02:02:00 PM

very cool bro.

Title: Re: Knapping chert and making an arrow
Post by: possumtrot on April 08, 2007, 06:33:00 PM

RGK, nice work! What did you use to make the copper tools? I would really like to get started in flintknapping.. John

Title: Re: Knapping chert and making an arrow
Post by: pdubya on April 08, 2007, 07:52:00 PM

Nice job. I would love to learn how to do that.

Title: Re: Knapping chert and making an arrow
Post by: traditional_archer on April 08, 2007, 11:59:00 PM

Nice work

Title: Re: Knapping chert and making an arrow
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on April 09, 2007, 01:08:00 AM

Your photos made it seem like it just happened along like magic. Nice.

Title: Re: Knapping chert and making an arrow
Post by: RGK on April 09, 2007, 06:41:00 AM

I used heavy gauge copper wire and brass rods to make the tools.

 

Quote

Originally posted by possumtrot:
RGK, nice work! What did you use to make the copper tools? I would really like to get started in flintknapping.. John

Title: Re: Knapping chert and making an arrow
Post by: possumtrot on April 09, 2007, 10:27:00 AM

Thanks. Did you drill holes in the wooden handles to get the copper and brass in? What gauge wire would you suggest? #6 or so?

Title: Re: Knapping chert and making an arrow
Post by: RGK on April 09, 2007, 04:40:00 PM

I drilled holes and used epoxy to hold the wires in. I think I used rods from 1/4 inch and down in size.