How to Make a Traditional Broadhead

Ancient cultures from around the world used to fashion tools and weaponry out of wood, bone and stone. One such tool was the bow and arrow, and the stone arrowhead. Stone arrowheads were traditionally made from stones such as obsidian, chert and flint. These arrowheads were all generally shaped like contemporary, flat metal broadheads. The arrowheads were shaped by a process known as flint-knapping. Making a traditional broadhead can be accomplished using the same flint-knapping techniques used by ancient cultures.

Things You'll Need

  • Obsidian, chert or flint
  • Leather or rawhide
  • Smooth River rock (hammer stone)
  • Bone or antler
  • Coarse stone
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a flat piece of stone, preferably obsidian, chert or flint. Find another hard, round stone such as a smooth river rock. The river rock will be used as a hammer stone for the knapping process.

    • 2

      Drape a piece of leather or rawhide over the palm of your non-dominant hand. Place the stone to be knapped in the leather. This will protect your hand from abrasion while striking the stone.

    • 3

      Strike the stone along the edges repeatedly until you have a triangular shaped stone. Flip the stone over and strike in the same manner to begin sharpening the stone.

    • 4

      Take a narrow ended piece of bone or antler and hold the end onto the edge of the stone in your palm. Push down firmly and push away. This is known as pressure flaking, and will flake off edge material, creating a sharp edge. Perform this step on both sides of the triangle, excluding the bottom. Flip the stone over and flake the opposite side until you achieve a sharp cutting edge from top to bottom on both sides.

    • 5

      Chisel a small groove on both sides using a thin, coarse stone -- about 1/4 inch from the triangle base. These grooves will be used to secure the arrowhead to the shaft.