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Best Big Game Broadhead Knapping Material?

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PAHunter:
What knapping material is the best for making big game arrow broadheads?

I have a pretty good primitive hunting setup besides broadheads.  Now I'm trying to focus on building effective whitetail (for now) hunting points.  My first question is what type of material to use for them.  For now I'm just practicing with bottle bottoms and whatever else I can get my hands on.  But I'd like to acquire some good/optimal material for the hunting points.  I would guess some factors would be knapability (is that even a word?), sharpness of finished head, availability of material, and durability. 

Bonus questions:   :laugh:
* My goal would be perhaps 1'' by 2'' heads or so.  What size piece would you ideally start with to produce an end piece of that size?
* Is there a good place go get this material online or anywhere around Pittsburgh?

I appreciate any advice!

PS: Bob and Bill invite me over to break some rocks, or common down my way!  ;)

Outbackbob48:
Rob, the quick answer is super sharp ones are best ;D Now for all the theory and such. You know Pappy killed a deer with a Aunt Jemmia bottle point, I killed a deer with a really crude keokuk point. I personally like to use good Texas flint, not real hard to work but seems real durable. Rhyolites are super durable but can be diffucult to work, All will work if sharp. I like a pc about fist size or a little smaller to start with or a nice shaped spall will save some thinning. I also like my point narrow and long like a 3 to 1 ratio, you do know in Pa. Minumum width is 7/8" and maxium length is 3"I also like the Ishi style point. Lots of good material, Here is my dream point, a beautiful pc of colored coral cooked to perfection and the stuff gets razor sharp plus. Don't know if we are allowed to say Rock dealers on here but PM me and I will give ya some leads on some good stone, as far as collecting rock around Pittsburgh good luck. Bob

aaron:
I prefer obsidian because I think it gets sharper than flint, etc, but anything will work if its sharp. Sharpness and excellent arrow flight are important. I dont make em too thin, about as thick as the shaft.  Starting size depends somewhat on your skill, but I start with flat spalls about 2x4 inches or more and 3/4 thick or more.

HickoryBill:
Hey Rob. When Ya want to get together? We need to drag Bob outta that frozen wasteland up there and break some rock with us..To answer your question...I killed a nice doe with a point I made from some blue glass I got from Bob...Did I ever give ya any of that Carrera glass I had? It was grey or white. Makes nice points and I got a lot of it..Let me know and I'll hook ya up...

PAHunter:
@aaron I'm really tempted to get obsidian but I worry it's too fragile for me.  Stuff I have tends to gets bumped or dropped.   :o ;)  I'd prefer a stone that don't shatter if I bump it off a tree.  Have you had any issues with that?
@Bob thanks bud, PM sent.  I'm liking the sound of Texas flint!
@Bill - I might be in Clarion next weekend.  I'll be coming up more often now that the weather is breaking.  We're having a bunch of pigs butchered now so I'll be up in a few weeks also to pick that up.  Ya I still have some of that stuff!  I made the point below out of it.  Beautiful stuff.  I was guessing it's a bit fragile for actual hunting point though.

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