How to Make Replica Arrowheads & Indian Tools
Indians relied on their tracking, hunting, and tool-making skills to provide meat for their families. These tools included bows, arrows, and fishing spears. By understanding how these tools were made, educators, archaeologists, and museum staff gain greater insight into Indian culture, lifestyles, and skills development. With some effort and attention to details these scholars, plus modern re-enactors, primitive skills enthusiasts, and prehistory buffs, can create their own versions of these tools.
Things You'll Need
- Arrowhead material
- Chipping tool
- Large, round stone
- Thin, strong sinew
- 4-1/2 to 5-foot by 1-1/2 or 1-3/4-inch-thick length of hickory, ash, or other hardwood
- Jackknife
- File
- Sandpaper
- Bowstring material
- Bow weight scale
- Rawhide or leather strips
- Cloth strips (red or black)
- Hardwood pole, 6-1/2 to 8 feet long and about 1-1/4 inches thick
- 2 pieces hardwood or bone, each about 1 foot by 1 foot by 16 inches
Instructions
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Arrowhead
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1
Select material for arrowhead. Choose rock that is hard yet flakes easily, such as flint, jasper, or obsidian, or opt for animal bone. Author Allan A. MacFarlan in his book "Living Like Indians" recommends that crafters make arrowheads out of glass only if experienced.
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2
Select object for chipping tool, such as piece of bone, tip of deer antler, or small hard stone.
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3
Make arrowhead. Put arrowhead material on hard, flat surface and place chipping tool at an angle against material. Use large stone to hammer chipping tool and split flakes off arrowhead rock. Form arrowhead into triangle or oblong shape. Turn arrowhead over frequently to ensure even flakes on both sides. As edges become sharper, discard hammer; apply pressure with chipping tool alone. Complete arrowhead by carefully flaking notches around arrow point.
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4
Lash arrowhead securely to arrow with sinew -- fibers of animal tendon -- with a square knot.
Bow
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5
Select length of hardwood for bow from lumber or standing dead branch. Make sure wood is dry and seasoned to reduce weight and fragility. Ensure wood is free of knots and checks.
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6
With knife, carefully cut flat strips down entire length of the belly -- which is the side toward the archer -- of the bow. Make one flat, even plane from one tip to the other, with no dips. The bow should bend evenly in a single arc.
Trim and clean the ends and belly of the bow with a knife, a file, and sandpaper. If using dead branch, do not finish the outer (or back) side. Cut notches on sides of the bow about three-quarters of an inch from each end. Smooth notches with sandpaper.
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7
Select bowstring material. Choose material with some flexibility but little stretch, such as thong, sinew, waxed cord, fishing line, or sisal. Tie loop in one end of bowstring; place loop into notches at one end of the bow. Bend bow slightly, until 5 to 7 inches remain between the string and the bow at the grip. Measure string; tie loop in other end of the bowstring; cut off extra string.
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8
String bow and test draw. File and sandpaper any stiff sections that prevent the bow from bending evenly or drawing smoothly.
Use a bow weight scale to measure the pull of the bow. Target pulls should range from 20 to 30 pounds and should not exceed 50 pounds. To increase a weak pull, soak rawhide or leather strips and wrap them evenly around most of bow.
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9
Decorate the bow with cloth strips at top and bottom or painted designs on wood.
Fish spear
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10
Select hardwood pole from wild cherry, grey birch, or maple; trim to desired length. Taper the pole to about three-quarters of an inch thick at one end. Cut 1-inch-by-4-inch grooves about a half-inch deep on opposite sides of the thick end.
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11
Make barbed prongs (or pointed, projecting parts) for gripping fish. Cut three to six downward-angled points in one side of each hardwood or bone piece. Leave about 4 inches at other end free for attaching a prong to the pole.
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12
Position the prongs in grooves on either side ofthe pole so the barbs are facing each other toward the inside of the spear. Wrap the thongs tightly around the prongs and shaft; tie a tight square knot near the bottom of the prongs.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Keep the bow unstrung when not in use to preserve the drawstring and the strength of the bow.
Take care when making Indian tools. Keep a first aid kit handy for nicks, cuts, and splinters.
Indian tools are not toys. Do not allow horseplay with tools. Ensure arrows are shot only in approved target areas with proper backstops and supervision. Keep arrows and spears out of the reach of children.
Dust from sandpapering wood may cause allergies or breathing problems. Work in a well-ventilated area and clean up completely at end of project.
