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Splitting hickory

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MikaelMazz:
I have my eye on an 8 inch diameter hickory that I want to split into arrow shafts. I want to make big blunts like Eastern woodland
Native arrows. I have not cut the hickory yet but it is staight as an arrow.  I dont have the means to or want to saw them.
Is there a technique to splitting shafts from hickory?
Should I orient my splints with the grain in any specific way?
Thanks,
  Mikael

Hillbilly:
Use a froe. A froe is very helpful, too. Oh, and a froe works well. It's the only way I have found to accurately split shafts from logs. I have usually split the trunk like you would for firewood or bowstaves to make shafts (or more like making shingles actually.) With the froe, you can keep the splits pretty even in thickness, then drawknife, hand- plane, tablesaw, joint, or belt-sand them down to 3/8" thick boards (or thicker for the big blunts). Split or saw the boards into square arrow blanks. Hickory is heavy, but tough.

Little John:
Good luck Mikael, Now I see why I am forn of the canes and bamboo that are already round and the right size.   Kenneth

MikaelMazz:
Thanks,
  I like dogwood arrows for those reasons as well.
I dont have a frore but I will try my best.

Pat B:
If you have a large butcher knife or machete add a perpendicular handle to the point end and you will have a froe.

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