Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: iowabow on August 11, 2011, 10:42:29 pm

Title: i think this is an important discovery
Post by: iowabow on August 11, 2011, 10:42:29 pm

OK maybe everyone already knows what I am about to describe but if you don't. Then this is real cool.  I was halving my point like I have done in the past but I became impatient waiting for the sinew to dry.  I also was spinning the point and noticed that the point was a little off center.  Armed now with a reason I added heat to reset the point with the added benefit that the sinew would dry faster.  That's when what I saw was real cool.  The sinew as it dried shrunk into the the softened pitch and now was form fitted and countersunk just a little.  OK that is what I thought was so cool.  When I was firing my old flint points into the target today I noticed that the sinew was being chaffed a lot.   Now with the counter sunk string the wear from  everyday use  will be less.  The sinew was not completly dried out and later I added the beeswax to water proof it.
   (http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m559/iowabow2/2011-08-11184605.jpg)
(http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m559/iowabow2/2011-08-11184551.jpg)

Title: Re: i think this is an important discovery
Post by: iowabow on August 11, 2011, 10:56:29 pm

Please tell me what you think.  Basically  after you add the wet sinew wait one hour then reheat just enough to sink the sinew into the pitch. This happens because the pitch is soft and the wet sinew is shrinking do to the heat. 

Title: Re: i think this is an important discovery
Post by: iowabow on August 12, 2011, 12:22:09 pm

Lol I must be the biggest geek on the planet but this is cool.  Here is a before and an after photo.
(http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m559/iowabow2/2011-08-12083437.jpg)
(http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m559/iowabow2/2011-08-12084530.jpg)

Title: Re: i think this is an important discovery
Post by: JackCrafty on August 12, 2011, 12:31:04 pm

Yep, I agree.  It's pretty cool.  I use the same technique. ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-bV1jnD8Ls

Title: Re: i think this is an important discovery
Post by: iowabow on August 12, 2011, 01:11:42 pm

Yes! That is it.  I wish I saw that video last year.   Hey jack I waterproofed with beeswax is that OK? That is an excellent video.  I like that the reheat glues the sinew to the pitch.

Title: Re: i think this is an important discovery
Post by: Outbackbob48 on August 12, 2011, 07:31:26 pm

Great observation an I think your on to something, I,m going to try it 8) 8) 8)

Title: Re: i think this is an important discovery
Post by: JackCrafty on August 14, 2011, 02:41:37 pm

Beeswax is great for waterproofing. :)