TxAg, Obsidian doesn't have to be honed to a sharp edge. A fresh flake of obsidian is hundreds of times sharper than any steel edge. I've seen a comparrison of the two from an electronic microscope and there is absolutely no comparison. When obsidian(and other knapable stone) is flaked the edge is at a molecular level, one molecule wide.
Stone points don't seem sharp to the touch but generally you are only touching the high points(ridges) of the flaking process. The valleys are where the sharp edges are. I have not shot an animal with stone yet but I have seen the wounds stone points make and they are devistating and bleed quite well.

QuoteOriginally posted by Pat B:
TxAg, Obsidian doesn't have to be honed to a sharp edge. A fresh flake of obsidian is hundreds of times sharper than any steel edge. I've seen a comparrison of the two from an electronic microscope and there is absolutely no comparison. When obsidian(and other knapable stone) is flaked the edge is at a molecular level, one molecule wide.
Stone points don't seem sharp to the touch but generally you are only touching the high points(ridges) of the flaking process. The valleys are where the sharp edges are. I have not shot an animal with stone yet but I have seen the wounds stone points make and they are devistating and bleed quite well.

Yeah, they are cryptocrystaline structures from dead organisms and waterlife from millions of years ago. They piled up on the bottom of lakes and rivers and all formed together as chert or flint.

Obsidian is volcanic glass though. It's different. It can have a much finer edge than cherts because it doesn't have the same impurities from their deposits.  

They all break conchoidally though. That means they don't have a defined structure, like glass, and will break with irregular edges that take on concave sorts of shapes. Essentially it's like a serrated knife edge, but much sharper.

I realize they don't have to be "honed." I was just copy/pasting. It's amazing how sharp a rock (...er, glass) can be. I also read that some surgeons use them because they cut at at the cellular lever....actually cutting, not ripping cells like a steel scalpel. In turn, this reduces swelling and scarring. Thanks for the additional info. Nature is amazing.

A flake and a bifacially knapped point are two completely different things.  The flake, sharp as it may be, would likely never hold up on the front of an arrow.
ChuckC

I have a couple ready to go:







This obsidian one is not notched yet

Amazing what you guys can do.

[/URL  These are mine with obsidian points.

 

Hitman those are awesome points! Mine are 3-obsidian and two flint. Maybe when I get back from iraq I can put mine to the test.

Good looking arrows guys.  

Hitman , what are your shafts and nocks made from ?

Hitman , what are your shafts and nocks made from ?

shafts are bamboo and nocks are horn nocks with real turkey feathers.

razorsharptokill, Those are great arrows and when you get back put some blood on them. Our prayers are with you ,so get home safe. My hat is off to you and all your buddies.

This is so great to see so many using ..."STONE" too hunt !!!

You guys are from another planet! Wish I could do that. It's all I'd use. Beauts!

Straitera ... go for it !!!

If the barbs are a concern just take your small percusion flaker and knock them off.  It will not change the profile of the head or it's lethality and will make them legal.  Take about 2 seconds.

Wondering what is a .."barb" IN LEGAL TERMS???

Here's some of mine, I can't take credit for making the points but I did mount them and made the arrows.



Have agreat season all.