Mounting a flint head ..Pictorial

the Ferret · December 12, 2006, 01:55:00 PM

Figured it was time to do a tute on mounting flint heads. There are several types of flint heads of which I don't know the technical names of the bases but I call them flint heads with tangs, with side notches or with base notches. I mount them all the same it's just the sinew wrapping that's different. Here are some of the things you'll need, a shaft (this one is wild rose), a flint head (I'll be using the tanged model for this tute), some sinew, a pencil, some pine pitch (pine sap and charcoal mix)or some medium grade CA glue (which is what I use these days for the most part).

the Ferret · December 12, 2006, 01:59:00 PM

The thinner the head the easier it is to cut your slot to mount.

Some guys just use a V notch. I use a slot cut specifically for each head. I do this by laying the head on the shaft and tracing around it.

Make sure you mount it deep enough so that the end of the shaft is at least 1/4" past where your tie off or side notches will be for support

the Ferret · December 12, 2006, 02:00:00 PM

Then I use a scroll saw (you could also do this by hand with a coping saw) and cut on my lines

it should come out something like this

the Ferret · December 12, 2006, 02:03:00 PM

Trial fit your head and if it doesn't fit use some sandpaper to remove stock that is obstructing it

with a little hand sanding you should easily get the head to fit

the Ferret · December 12, 2006, 02:05:00 PM

Now remove the head and using either your hand sandpaper or a bench belt sander sand the ends of the shaft down to match your head which will make it penetrate easier and look nicer

It should look like this

the Ferret · December 12, 2006, 02:08:00 PM

At this point if you are using pine pitch heat up a glob and stick it on the back of your flint and slide it in the slot and make sure it is aligned properly and will spin true...adjust if necessary, if you are using the CA glue put the head back in the slot, align, make sure it spins properly and dribble some ca glue in from both sides. Set aside to dry/cure for a spell. It should be noted that pine pitch is more traditional and will fill in the gaps between the shaft and head better than the CA glue will. The CA glue is just easier and "not quite as messy". Both however will hold the head in place.

the Ferret · December 12, 2006, 02:12:00 PM

Next take a strand of sinew and either moisten it and dip in hide glue or pop it in your mouth and chew on it awhile (thanks for the tip PatB)

Once moistened, start wrapping up next to the head and keep wraping tightly around the shaft until you use the whole strand. If you need more to cover the slot and part of the shaft use more.

the Ferret · December 12, 2006, 02:15:00 PM

When finished it should look like this

Set aside to dry for awhile and then cover your sinew with some tite bond 3, some super glue or something to help waterproof the sinew

Here's a group of flint headed arrows that I just finished for a Texas hunt..notice how the sinew wrapping on some is actually on the blades. This is necessary when there are no notches or tang to wrap around

Talondale · December 12, 2006, 02:17:00 PM

Nice build-along Ferret. Is that head, fourth from the left copper?

the Ferret · December 12, 2006, 02:21:00 PM

No Talondale, it is some kind of red flint.

vermonster13 · December 12, 2006, 02:22:00 PM

Love the knife Mickey

the Ferret · December 12, 2006, 02:23:00 PM

Here are a couple with side notches and no notches. Notice how the sinew wrapping is done to anchor the head to the shaft.

BTW if you look at the bottom gray head in the pic above you can see it was mounted with the pine pitch (black gooey stuff), the top white one with the CA glue.

the Ferret · December 12, 2006, 02:26:00 PM

Thanks David, the blade for that was knapped by Roy Boggs here on tradgang, a very talented knapper.

Pasty Face · December 12, 2006, 02:27:00 PM

Wow that was cool. Wish I had half the talent as you.

How do you know if those heads will fly straight, can you shoot them into a target?

Best of luck in Texas.

Bowspirit · December 12, 2006, 02:27:00 PM

So are those Ferret-brand heads???

Jason Lester · December 12, 2006, 02:32:00 PM

Very nice Mickey as always.

That white one reminds me of the one you showed me a couple years ago. Didn't you get your deer with that one that year.

the Ferret · December 12, 2006, 02:34:00 PM

Pasty... if the point of the head is aligned with the centerline of the shaft, and if the head spins true, it will fly true. I do shoot them into foam once or twice to make sure they fly before I will hunt with them.

Bowspirit..I wish. Knapping is a talent I have not acquired. I trade, buy, beg or whatever to get my flint heads.

Jason..yes I did kill a deer with a flint that year and have an article coming out in a future issue of Primitive Archer about it.

bayoulongbowman · December 12, 2006, 02:43:00 PM

thats so sweet!!!!!!!is there DVD that is good on Knapping?

the Ferret · December 12, 2006, 02:47:00 PM

My heroes when it comes to flint knapping are Tim Ott, Roy Boggs, and DTala and my heroes when it comes to killing critters with flint are Tim Ott, DTala and Doug Campbell. Those boys throw the rocks at em and slay em!

the Ferret · December 12, 2006, 02:59:00 PM

Heres a pic of some mounted flint heads I had saved...not sure who mounted these

and some beautiful flint heads with awesome colors. I don't know who knapped these heads below but I have been told the process to make them, makes them very brittle and not really good for hunting. These are more along the collectible lines of arrowheads.