trade points

[razorback]

I have a couple of old saw blades that I was thinking of making trade points out of. How thick does the steel need to be to make an effective point. One of the blades is thinner and fairly flexible while the other is thicker and stiffer, go figure   . Both are pruning blades.

[Pat B]

Do a test. Cut a few out of each thickness, haft them to arrows and shoot them into a big red oak tree. Once cut to size both will feel more rigid and both may be suitable for trade points. I have heard that at least .50 is what you want but I have seen trades that were thinner that I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with.  The treatment of the steel, tempering, etc, will effect the rigidity of the points also.

[razorback]

Thanks Pat. That is pretty much what I was thinking of doing.