When I was at the WI deer and turkey expo last year I picked up some chert stone flakes that will work great for arrow points. I used a nice, thin, white piece for the arrowhead. 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. I started by squaring off the bottom of the flake and then chipped the head to shape. 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. Next, I used a knife to cut a groove in the end of a wood shaft to accept the stone head. I will trim away the extra wood after I tie the head on. To tie the head to the shaft, I use the sinew I save from the loins/backstraps from my deer. It separates into nice thin threads. 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. For the fletching, I went back to the turkey feathers and tied them on.
Could you tell that to Mrs. Crabtree (Elvira, Mertle) She cant seem to get her mind right on this stuff. I've been happily married for 21 years, I think she is up to about 8 years, last I checked. She thinks I'm nuts for making and testing this stuff. I quit watching TV 7 years ago so I need something to fill my time when not hunting.
Not until I perfect the process. I am happy with everything except sharpness but that just might be the modern cro-magnun in me. Perhaps, I am over thinking it. WI allows one to hunt with stone points. I am still on the fence.
I second Tony's vote. That is an awesome experience to have. How many guys can actually say they've hunted with a stone arrow tip? Not many of us, I don't believe.
I've found that the best way to get lots of material really quickly is to use the bottoms of beer bottles or something similar, and if your just learning to knap it flakes easier too!
