Flint arrow-head

[Pappa]

I mentioned to Stuart about an arrow head I'd made, so I figured I'd post it here.

My first attempt involved decimating several pieces of obsidian. My second attempt (with chert) was better, but was given up on after several step fractures.
This was my third attempt. Technically, it's not great, it's a bit too thick for starters, but I'm pleased that it looks like an arrow head. I'm sure it would kill something if it was attatched to an arrow and fired from a bow by a competent archer too; which to me sounds like a sucessful arrow head.

Pappa

 

[Stuart]

well done, thats a nice looking arrow head

I have always found obsidian to be easier to work than flint (though I am certainly no master of either)

this ones made of obsidian:

sorry for the poor quality of the photo, done in a rush

 

[RovingArcher]

Congratulations to both of you. Fine attempts, especially to pappa, being only a third attempt.

 

[Stuart]

hopfully Paleoaleo will post some pictures of his knapping creations, he makes some increadble stuff

 

[Snufkin]

Nice work both of you .

 

[Pappa]

Thanks. I've been meaning to keep practicing, capitalise on my gains I suppose. There's a replica british flint knife lurking in the back of my mind, just waiting to jump out into stone.

Pappa

 

[Exbomz]

Hi guys

Not sure if you are interested but here is a range of materials that can be used, some more common than others; starting with the barbed and tanged point at the 12 o’clock position they are :

Petrified Wood (US), Mozarkite (US), Striped Flint (France), Mookite jasper (Australia), Novaculite (US), Norfolk flint, Clear Chalcedony, Sard, Obsidian (US), Blue bottle glass (Boots the Chemist), Bruneau jasper (US), Agate, Agate, Johnnite, Centre: Black and white chalcedony.

 

[RovingArcher]

Hi guys

Not sure if you are interested but here is a range of materials that can be used, some more common than others; starting with the barbed and tanged point at the 12 o’clock position they are :

Petrified Wood (US), Mozarkite (US), Striped Flint (France), Mookite jasper (Australia), Novaculite (US), Norfolk flint, Clear Chalcedony, Sard, Obsidian (US), Blue bottle glass (Boots the Chemist), Bruneau jasper (US), Agate, Agate, Johnnite, Centre: Black and white chalcedony.

Very nice work! Which material did you prefer working with? Have you used any of your heads for hunting? If so, which material do you prefer for it's durability?

 

[Nyayo]

I've always fancied making the same set of kit thet the Alpine 'Iceman' had with him - flint knife and arrows, iron pyrites fire kit, yew bow - I see that you all like the (very flash) barb-and-tang style - has anyone ever tried the (Northern European Mesolithic) arrow heads, with micro-bades mounted around and along a detachable wooden shaft?

 

[Stuart]

has anyone ever tried the (Northern European Mesolithic) arrow heads, with micro-bades mounted around and along a detachable wooden shaft?

do you have a picture of one of these?

 

[Exbomz]

I think the reason that people want to make the 'flasher' models is that they want to make something that looks like an arrowhead. If you take a microlith out of its haft, it looks like a small flake/bladelet of flint rather than an arrowhead - it could easily be part of a composite sickle or knife etc. I'm not sure how many go to the lengths of making full arrows with their end-products, where it would be obvious what it was, but a barbed and tang is easily identifiable as an arrowhead.

You mention the Iceman; his 2 arrows (with points on) appear to be tanged for hafting and with a leaf shaped body, but knapped across both surfaces (i.e. bifaces), rather than microliths. Even the one in his back has a tang though the blade is rather squat (from the XRays).

As to using, the law forbids hunting with bow & arrow in the UK, so the answer is 'no, I've not tried them'. However I prefer flint to work with but that is also probably because it is my local stone. I cannot abide obsidian, despite it's ease of use, as I am always cutting myself on the tiniest flakes which become invisible once removed from the item/core.

 

[Nyayo]

Nope - I made one many years ago, but it now lives in an Archaeological unit museum. I may be able to find some drawings somewhere, though...