knapped head question

[okcaveman]

For those of you who knap and hunt with stone points how do you practice or do you? It would seem that each shot taken could break the point or dull it which would require further knapping to sharpen thereby changing its overall weight and possibly shape which would make it fly slightly different. Also, how do you maintain a constant weight on each arrow with different mass weight points? Or is it actually possible for a experienced knapper to make points that are at least close to the same overall weight?

I have been debating trying to hunt with completely selfcrafted equipment and have gotten curious.

[Jon Stewart]

I have killed one deer with a knapped head that I made.  I didn't practice with it.  when I hit the deer it flew like a dart and it did it's job as she only went 40 yards and dropped.  The head was the same weight as my metal heads so I fealt confident that the arrow would fly right.  Beside I waite until the deer are on top of me when I shoot them.  She was 8 yards away.

Now with that being said I know guys that practice with their knapped heads by shooting into thick styrofoam.  They then touch the edges up to sharpen.

Go to paleo planet and Primitive archer as they have real good flint knapping sites.

Knap a point and use it.  It is something you will never forget.

[Benjy]

I shot mine a couple of times into the "soft spot" of my 3D target. It hit in the same spot as my other arrows so there was not a need to keep shooting it. I killed a small buck with it later in the season.

[ti-guy]

Hats off to primitive!      

[bondo]

Yes, an experienced knapper can make points at very near the same weight. Arrow spine is really important to good arrow flight especially with primitive arrow material and a selfbow. I usually make a set of arrows, shoot them all to see witch ones shoot the best out of the bow I plan to hunt with. Once I narrow it down to six arrows or so, I will put points on a couple of them to see how they shoot, and leave fildtips on the other to do most of my practice with. Then before season, all the arrows get new points.

[okcaveman]

thanks folks for the replies. I have always wanted to learn to knap and shoot my own heads, but it is an art that i am having a lot of trouble with learning