How to Chip Arrowheads
The process of chipping or making arrowheads is called knapping and involves either hitting or grinding one stone with another stone to create the desired shape. Making your own arrowheads can be a fun activity that becomes an enjoyable hobby as your skill improves. Chipping arrowheads takes some time and physical effort, but the most challenging aspect of the process is using the necessary amounts of force and pressure to mold the stone into an arrowhead without breaking it.
Things You'll Need
- Arrowhead stone (flint, obsidian, quartzite, chalcedony or jasper)
- Hammerstone
- Limestone or sandstone
- Hatchet, antler tine or sharpened hardwood
- Hammer (optional)
Instructions
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1
Set one edge of the arrowhead stone on a wooden block and strike it with a larger stone called a hammerstone to flake away unnecessary pieces. Hammerstones are often pieces of limestone or quartzite used to knap smaller stones. If you don't have access to a hammerstone or a piece of limestone or quartzite, then use a small hammer to flake away parts of the arrowhead stone. This technique is called percussion flaking and takes a variable amount of time depending on the size of the arrowhead stone and the amount of force used in striking. Continue to strike across the sides of the arrowhead stone to mold it into the desired shape and size.
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2
Dull the edge of the arrowhead stone by grinding it with either the hammerstone or a piece of limestone or sandstone. This strengthens the edges of the arrowhead stone so flaking away smaller parts will not cause fractures.
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3
Flake away small parts of the edge of the arrowhead stone to sharpen it by grinding it with either a hatchet blade, antler tine or sharpened hardwood. This process is called pressure flaking. Use less force than you did during the percussion flaking process because the arrowhead stone is smaller and may be more fragile.
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4
Use the hatchet to grind notches in the sides of the arrowhead stone to give it the appearance of an authentic arrowhead.
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Tips & Warnings
Shape the arrowhead from a stone that is rigid, but that remains smooth and that breaks evenly during the processes of percussion flaking and pressure flaking. Flint, obsidian, quartzite, chalcedony and jasper are the best stones to shape into arrowheads because of their brittle texture and minimal grains.
Use a stone that is already similar to the desired shape of the arrowhead, but no larger than 3 times the desired size.
