Arrow heads

[Drac]

Hi guys,

Not sure if this is the right area but here goes. Once I can get back into my shop I've been playing with the idea of making decorative arrow heads for gifts/customers who are bow shooting enthusiasts/nuts (brother-in-laws ) I was wondering has anyone ever made any. They seem, at least to me, to be not that much different than making blades.

Any feed back would be helpful.

Thanks for your time,
Jim

[TexasJack]

Interesting idea, Jim. Might be a good way to use odd pieces of metal.

[Drac]

Jack, when I saw some production ones on the back on the last Blade and I was thinking "that would be a way to use small scrap damascus or plain steel."

I also thought that people make miniatures all the time, why not these. I figured I could try out some pierce skills I learned in jewelry and some of the etching from some of the books I've read. All without having to worry about handle material!! !!

Jim

[hammerdownnow]

People make them all the time. There are lots of examples around and more than a few tutorials including a really cool one with a damaskus tip and a mild steel socket. I could look up some links if you want.

[TexasJack]

It's like they say: "Great minds think alike."

..and, well, sometimes ours do too!

[McAhron]

Both Traditional Bowhunter and Primitive archer magazines have run how to articles on the subject.

[DiamondG Knives]

Look at the back cover of the last issue of Blade. Henwi is offering Old Samauri pattern arrow points. Very cool looking, and would be a perfect canvas for your piercing work. It amazwes me how the Old Japanese smiths took every aspect of their trade to such a high art form. I saw some in museums in Japan that were breath taking. One display had over 200 arrow heads, with somthing like 110 diffrent types for specific pourposes. And from what I have read, them guys could sure fling an arrow!!

God Bless
Mike

[Drac]

Thanks for the reply's guys.

Hammerdown, I'll take you up on the offer and do some searching myself .

McAhron, I'll check out the mags.

Mike, yep, that's the one that had me thinking. I know that most people would roll they're eyes but if you watch the Last Samurai, the area were Cruise's character is in a monologue on the idea of how the (feudal) Japanese take one area of they're lives and set out to master it is at the very heart of Do. Spiritual growth by action, a way of finding ones place in the universe. When you think about everything that pulls us in all these directions it can be an envious life of focus.

I'm keyed up about giving this a try and seeing what its like,
Jim

[hammerdownnow]

Here ya go!

Arrowhead tutorial (clickhere)

[Roger Gregory]

The first couple of Neo-Tribal "Iron in the Hat" swaps that I know of were for arrowheads. The one I was part of had everything from Achim Wirtz sending out a damascus arrowhead made from the gun barrel of a Leopard tank to pieces hand-forged from found scraps on rock anvils.

There is a lot of fun to be had making arrowheads. I think there might be some interest for collectors too if a maker was tempted to offer a small range of patterns and materials and finishes. Something cool to put in a little display case perhaps.

Roger

[anarcher]

My first blade was an arrowhead. It is a tang style for use in bamboo shafting.

No historic form just what I managed to hammer out.

[sjaqua]

I recently made some socketed bodkin arrow points. Also Tony Lemon over at Oso Forge, made a small leaf shaped arrow head with a tang, awhile back.

I don't currently have any bodkins left. They were snapped up the first day I put them out on the table. The ones I make are a little rough, but I manage to keep them within .3 grams of each other. They are made of mild steel rod, which I then case harden. I get $10 a piece or 6 for $50.

They make a nice little project to round out a spare 10 to 15 minutes of shop time. They are also a fast demo for when I take myu forge on the road. But then it usually takes me 20 to 30 minutes. But that works well as a short filler demo between the larger ones.

Scott

[Jerry Oksman]

I've also seen them at other tables, but Scott Slobodian shows them on his website

Slobodian Arrow heads

[Drac]

Wow, thanks for the info guys. The tutorial is pretty impressive. Jerry, those arrow heads are toward what I'm thinking about. I want to go more toward hunting scenes but those are nice ones.

Jim

[Jerry Oksman]

From what I remember Scott telling me at one of the shows, those are gold and silver necklace versions of actual arrowheads that have been found in digs or are in museums someplace.

they make great gifts for wives and girlfriends who in particular have no sympathy for our mad little hobby.