Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => HowTo's and Build-a-longs => Topic started by: JackCrafty on April 20, 2009, 01:01:00 am
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Here are the arrows I'm making for my latest set, Apache style. The arrows are not reproductions but are very close. The main differences are the spiral fletching (all the Apache arrows I've seen have straight fletching), the lack of red paint under the fletchings and the type of feathers used.
The first thing I do is select the phrag.
I try to get pieces that are 1/2" at the base and 40+ inches long.
I process the phrag as soon as I get it, whether it is green or dry.
If it's green, I dry it in a warm sunny place for two weeks (after processing).
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/058.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/059.jpg)
The first step in processing is to remove the leaves and trim the leaf stems off the nodes.
I've seen this done to most of the Apache arrows I've seen in illustrations and exhibits.
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/064.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/065.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/069.jpg)
Then I cut and bundle them together according to how the nodes match - tip and nock.
I noticed that on many Apache arrows the nodes at the tip are random, but the nock is always cut just below a node.
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/02-07-2009/095.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/02-07-2009/080.jpg)
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Here I have a group of 19 shafts that are processed, dried, and straightened.
Also shown are the foreshafts, in various stages of completion.
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/023.jpg)
Nock ends and tips.
I like to taper the tips of the phrag shafts but actual Apache arrows were rarely tapered.
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/020.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/022.jpg)
I make saw cuts into the tips so that the shaft will fit tightly around the foreshaft when the sinew wrapping is applied.
These cuts are common among historical examples (but cut with a blade of some sort, not a saw).
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/026.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/028.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/027.jpg)
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Making foreshafts (always great fun.... ::) )
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/038.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/039.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/040.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/042.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/043.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/045.jpg)
I weigh the shafts and foreshafts....then match the heaviest forshafts with the lightest shafts.
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/048.jpg)
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Installing the foreshafts.....
I tie a string around the tip if the shaft (temporarily) so that I can align the foreshaft and mark the position.
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/049.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/050.jpg)
I add glue to the inside.....4 or 5 drops....just enough to make sure the base of the foreshaft gets glued to the bottom of the hole.
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/057.jpg)
And then wrap.
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/054.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/055.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/056.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/128.jpg)
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I've read one account that said the the foreshaft should be a distance equal to the span of the thumb and middle finger.
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/125.jpg)
Anyway, after I paint the shaftments, I add the fletchings.
Guinea fowl, in this case....one of my favorite feathers.
Not very durable but sure nice to look at. ;D
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/036.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/025.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/071.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/073.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/076.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/077.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/079.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/080.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/081.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/109.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/082.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/083.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/084.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/085.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/087.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/088.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/089.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/090.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/091.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/092.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/093.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/094.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/095.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/096.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/097.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/099.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/100.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/101.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/102.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/103.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/104.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/107.jpg)
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More soon....that's it for now....it's getting late.
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/129.jpg)
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Very nice!
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awesome stuff. the apache always fascinated me..
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Very interesting "how to" Pat. Those are shaping up to be some very nice arras, thanks for sharing. Are you going to loose them at Pappy's ::)?
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Wow, that is just gorgeous! :o. Love the whipped on fletchings and the little 'puff' of wooly feather at the start of the fletches. How do you form those delicate and looong tapers on the main shaft and foreshaft? I make a fair arrow, but nothing that high up the scale!
...More inspiration for me!
//Bob.
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Hey Pat, Awesome build-along as always. Question: What is (or was) the purpose of the "puff" feathers? Decorative only?
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An Apache scout friend of mine said the fluff feather was so you could tell which white eyes you had already shot in low light conditions ;D ;) Hawk
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Thanks Frank, Trapper.
Cowboy, yeah, loosing them is half the fun ;D.....but I think I'll loose more by giving these away than by shooting them. ;) Want one?
Bob, I cheat on the tapers....I sand them on something long and flat....and they are not exact, the foreshafts vary slightly from eachother in diameter and shape.
Coyote, I don't really know what the puff feathers are for. I assume, since they appear on so many NA arrows, they must have some sort of spiritual significance.
Or maybe Hawk has discovered the correct answer? ;D
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Those look great. Two questions:
1. why soak the feathers before fletching? ...just found the reason in your primitive arrow post...thanks
2. What is it that you are rubbing on the shaft, just below the nock, prior to fletching? Glue or water?
Thanks for the education!
D
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D, I soak the feathers (actually, I just dip them for 10 seconds) so they will expand. They shrink as they dry and pull themselves tight against the shaft. They also become less brittle when wet...which is useful when pulling and aligning the quill with pliers (or your teeth). ;)
I dab fish glue on the shaft before applying sinew.
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Gotcha! ...figured it must have been glue, but who knows, maybe it was holy water or fragrance of "good arrow mojo"..lol.
D
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....maybe it was holy water or fragrance of "good arrow mojo"....
;D
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Cool build along, I admire your patience and skill in doing it the hard way :)
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Thanks Dana.
Here's a peek at the bow.
It is Apache style, made of hickory (the Apaches favored mulberry), and painted with black acrylic and natural red ochre paint.
It is 1-1/2" wide at the handle, about 5/8" wide at the tips, and about 44-1/2" long.
Full draw @ 20", weight of 45lb, and 3-1/2" brace height.
Sinew string.
Pictures of belly:
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/110.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/111.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/122.jpg)
The rest of the bow:
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/123.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/121.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/115.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/120.jpg)
The short brace height is murder on my wrist. I need to make a rawhide bracer.
My shirt sleeve protects a little bit....but it starts to smart after a dozen shots.
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/124.jpg)
Here is the result of the bareshaft shooting.
The best arrows are deflecting at about .22" on a 20" span.
Total length of arrows is about 29".
I'm not pulling to full draw yet.....I'm breaking-in the bow slowly.
The shots are being made at 18" and 19" draw.
The arrowm appear a bit stiff, but once I start pulling to full draw and with the arrowheads are installed, they should shoot fine.
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/118.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/114.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-19-09/119.jpg)
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Dang Pat, you've been busy. Bow's, arrows, build alongs. That a beautiful bow and I see you even had time to make a new target ;D.
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Oh yea ifin cowboy don't want an arra I will take his ;D
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WOW! Those are beautiful. I have been wanting to try phragmites for a while now.
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Paul, thanks, and yeah....that's my latest target. I had to put the Christmas tree back into the other box. ::)
Dana, ifin ya really want one we can work something out at Pappy's. ;)
David, glad to see someone else is a glutton for punishment. That phrag takes a little getting used to...and make sure you don't step on it!
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Very good build along. Excellent work learned lots thanks Leroy
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Thanks Stoker. :)
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I have a book with some photos of real Apache arrows. Here are some pics of those pics....
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/019.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/020.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/021.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/022.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/025.jpg)
UPDATE:
The arrowhead (below right) looks like a Lott type arrowhead (a rare type found in West Texas - Eastern New Mexico).
See reply #31 for more info.
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/027.jpg)
I made a reproduction of an Apache arrow a while ago.
Here is how the fletching compares to my new Apache-style arrows.
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/034.jpg)
The reproduction arrow had a bone tip, so I removed it and installed a newly made stone tip.
I wanted it to resemble the stone tip shown in the last photo (of the Apache arrows)...the arrow closest to the quiver.
UPDATE:
This arrowhead is a Scallorn type, which is not correct for an Apache arrow.
The shape of the notch and tip of the foreshaft is wrong as well.
I was going to delete the next series of photos....but will leave these pictures here anyway for grins. :)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/028.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/029.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/031.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/032.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/033.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/038.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/039.jpg)
I made a few more arrowheads of the types found in Apache territory and here are the results.
Desert Sierra
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/044.jpg)
Desert Side Notched
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/046.jpg)
Cottonwood Triangle
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/04-26-09/047.jpg)
I was thinking of adding stone arrowheads to my new set but time is short. I might add a few to the ones that I won't be shooting (because they are not the right spine or whatever) and just sharpen the foreshafts on my "shooters" and not even mess with arrowheads. ;D
That's it for now. I'll post more pics of the completed set...arrows, bow, and quiver soon (I hope).
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Those are just super! Good job.....wow, you knappers really make nice stuff.
D
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I just want to thank you guys for this build! My wife is White Mountain Apache and no elders teach or seem to know anymore, how to make these to this kind of level. I am taking notes and will pass this on to as many tribal members and youth as possible. This will live on and come full circle, thanks! :D Any help with educational items is appreciated; we are both wildlife biologists for White Mountain and San Carlos Apache Tribes and often assist with youth practicums and other educational events. Your help is appreciated, thanks.
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Thanks D. :)
Cbeazley1, you're very welcome. :)
Apache style archery is one of my favorites and the art of making and shooting this style is a whole different ball game than other Native American styles: the arrows are very light in weight, they travel a great distance, and they are easily made in large quantities (with little waste of material - except for the reed). The arrowheads are always VERY sharp and ,even though they are small, they have been shown to shatter ribs and other bones.
I will add more to this build-along as I make progress on this set. Let me know if you have any other questions or perhaps some insight on the significance of the colors and shapes that decorate the beautiful historical examples.
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I showed your site to one of the past Tribal Cultural Directors and sometimes they are hesitant to see this information covered, but once he saw the quality of your work and the potential to pass this knowledge that is being lost, on, he was very supportive. I think he is going to become a regular reader of the site, thanks again.
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:)
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Well, after more research and more knapping, here are the results:
I've been obsessing over the photo below and I'm pretty sure the arrowhead on the right is a Lott type arrowhead.
The arrowhead on the left was giving me a headache until I did a little experiment....
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/05-17-09/a.jpg)
I made a couple arrowheads in the classic "Desert" shape (Desert General, in this case)....
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/05-17-09/025.jpg)
And then I knocked off the tips of the barbs, ears, and point of one of the arrowheads....
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/05-17-09/028.jpg)
And then mounted the arrowhead to a foreshaft with some darkened pitch and some sinew....
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/05-17-09/036.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/05-17-09/037.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/05-17-09/038.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/05-17-09/039.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/05-17-09/041.jpg)
And PRESTO!....mystery solved.
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/05-17-09/040.jpg)
It appears that the arrowhead on the left has been subjected to a lot of rough handling and all the sharp projections have been broken off. In fact, this is probably the case in a lot of the museum pieces I've seen....and I've often wondered why the quality of some of the arrowheads looks so poor on actual artifacts. Now I know. :)
Here are more examples of arrowheads that would be appropriate for Apache arrows:
(From left to right: Lott, Garza, Toya, Awatovi, Starr, Desert)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/05-18-09/001.jpg)
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After studying several pictures and illustrations of museum pieces,
this next series shows the way I think the typical Apache arrowhead was mounted to the foreshaft:
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/05-17-09/030.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/05-17-09/031.jpg)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/05-17-09/032.jpg)
(The arrowhead on the right is the experimental arrowhead shown in the previous reply)
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Patrick, can you tell me the name of the book you reference. I collect books that have anything about native american archery and the ones with photos are the best.
As always great how-to.
thanks,
Donnie
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holly cow we just found a jungle of this stuff. i aint much for arra makeing but i may trie it, and im deffinently going to be havesting it for trade and what not! ;D
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Donnie, the book with all the arrowheads is: The Official Overstreet Identification and Price Guide to Indian Arrowheads, 10th Edition. The book with the illustrations of Apache equipment is: Bows Arrows & Quivers of the American Frontier by John Baldwin.
Shooter, a jungle, huh? Dang....where do you live? I'm lucky to find small patches here and there.....
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great points! them arrows keep looking better and better. Thanks Leroy
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Thanks Leroy. :)
Just a couple things I didn't mention during the build-along:
All the arrows you see that have guinea fletching are almost exactly 3/8" across the shaftmet just above the node (assuming you are looking at the arrow with the point upward). The nodes are a little narrower: 5/16" across. The thickest part of the arrow (where the forshafts are inserted) is 7/16" across just below the taper.
Also, you need to scrape or sand off the waxy coating on the spots where you apply glue or paint.
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jackcrafty, im in southern louisiana. down by lake maurapass there is ALOT of it. ;D