Natural glue

[Janne]

If a little bit of wax is mixed in (say - 5%) will it still be hard?

I imagine, as the glue will stabilize it in the wood it needs to be fairly hard?
I have obviously never worked with Paleo technology, or flint, hence the stupid questions...

 

[Chainsaw]

I've done a few flint arrowheads a long time ago and we bound them to the shaft (with a notch in the shaft) then 'painted' the pine resin/charcoal mix on top to seal it all in. hard bubblegum was a great description. The strength came from the fibre/sinew clamping the wood, the resin just held it all in place. Some of the arrowheads had notches for the bindings but others were just held in the notch in the shaft with a little resin then compressed to a friction fit with the bindings and blobbed...

I'm actually wondering where the heck the arrows got to now... Great little project!

 

[Janne]

That is what I was thinking, a cutout in the wood, resin glue that is then compressed with the dry/shrunk rawhide.

I guess I need to use well dried wood, so it does not dry and shrink later.

Not that my life will depend on this blade ever, but as I will spend time and effort I want to make as good job as possible.

I will of course try it out on veg, meat and fish!

Another (stupid) question: When I cut the meat and hit bone (normal cutting force) is there a risk blade will chip?
I do not fancy bits of flint in my sick intestines......

 

[Buckshot]

Generally pine pitch is used as a water proofer over the top of the sinew or rawhide .
it will go hard with wax included and it does crack if struck etc. although you can just reheat and mold again to seal it

flint has the potential to chip when anything hits it but it depends on the strength and shape of the edge.
a hand axe was able to cut trees down but on the other hand a 'scalpel' blade will chip as soon as side pressure is applied...

 

[Robson Valley]

I am using "first strike" flint blades to cut up bison and other meat in my kitchen.
No handles. Never slippery when wet. The sharpest edges that I have ever has the pleasure to work with.

Pine pitch gets used here to fletch arrows.
Met an explorer who hikes a region where she can collect resin 'globs'. Maybe 1" diameter.
I can pick spruce resin in my front yard.