Making a stone point
 

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

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ows/chert1.jpg

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

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ows/chert2.jpg

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

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ows/chert3.jpg

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

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ows/chert4.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ows/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/c2...ows/chert6.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ows/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/c2...ows/chert8.jpg

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

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ows/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/c2...ws/chert91.jpg

It separates into nice thin threads.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ws/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/c2...ws/chert93.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ws/chert94.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ws/chert95.jpg

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

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ws/chert96.jpg

Very nice !

:D