Flintknapping: Arrow Points From Bottle Bottoms, Practical Primitive

[parrotbill]

Wow you're good...you make it look so easy. I have been saving glass bottles and have the stuff to make my tools out of. Soon I will see if I can make something that resembles a broadhead out of glass. Thanks so much for sharing.

[Paleoman52]

Nice job and very informative video. I have been knapping for 27 years and I have to say that I really enjoyed this demonstration. I've made hundreds of those little glass arrowheads over the years but more in the beginning as I didn't have a good supply of flint. That is a very good use of recyclable material. Thanks for posting the vid, and good chipping to you!

-Paleoman52-

[dobybowers]

Another way to get the bottom out is to score it with a class cutter, just above the base. Then alternate cold/hot water and the bottom will fall off.

[TheCaryeHoy]

Your a pro however i did not learn crap from Eddie wish he would have slowed down and shown us what he was doing ...Nice video

[SignedSign]

Do it like the pro's and use safety goggles.. one tiny piece of glass in your eye can ruin your eyesight for good and they are virtually impossible to get out on your own and usually requirer a doctors assistance to get it out

[practicalprimitive]

While I appreciate your concern, I happen to personally know a lot of those pro's you referred to & not a single one of them wears safety glasses. These are the big guys btw, who get paid 3, 4 & 5 figures for their work. Keep your lap pad CLEAN, strike DELIBERATELY & hold your piece so you trap your flake. By doing exactly that I've never gotten anything in my eye but if I did, I know how to easily & safely dislodge it myself, just like our ancestors did before safety glasses existed

[practicalprimitive]

If you choose to wear safety glasses I have no problem with that. More power to you & I encourage you to do whatever makes you feel comfortable & gets you out there knapping!

But don't try make me seem like an irresponsible newbie to the art. I know the dangers & I know how to be safe. I don't judge you for choosing to wear glasses & ask that you do not judge me for choosing not to.

Lastly, I do teach this for a living. I think that makes me one of those "pro's"...

[dobybowers]

Great job on the video! Tip: Find a large wine bottle and cut the bottom out with a glass cutter. Then cut the bottle long wise into stips, maybe 1" wide (it's easier to cut than you might think). Throw the bottom away! You can make 15- 20 arrowheads from the glass sides AND it's much easier to get rid of the concave shape of a narrow object! Don..

[practicalprimitive]

@dobybowers Cool! Haven't seen that before -- great use of material. But why throw away the bottom? Just gives you another point to play with!

[ZenakuShinobi]

if preparation for glass arrows took that long in GW...........you'd be one dead Ranger.

[mojototal]

I will raid said recyclables and make it a quest!

Find glass bottles: 0/10

Rewards:

Some arrow heads

1000 Flintknapping experience.

[rolsonmail]

Excellent techniques used here! I've knapped arrowheads from the bottom of crown royal whiskey bottles and from glass computer monitors! Love your video!

[MrGeary08]

I don't know what I'm doing wrong but in the last 3 days I've gone through at least 20 bottle bottoms and they always break in half

:(

[practicalprimitive]

@MrGeary08

Hmmm, sounds like overstrike to me. You're hitting the piece to far into the glass, not on the platform at the edge of your piece. Glass doesn't tolerate any overstrike at all, which is one reason it's such a good material to learn on. Remember, you're striking the VERY EDGE of the glass with the VERY TIP of your billet. Check out our Popsicle Stick Drill #1 and #2 to help with your accuracy. Practice those regularly and I guarantee you'll start to get better results!

[MrFlavum]

Great video, thx!

[WhiteThrash89]

I think I'm in love! . . . Great technique and finished product. And from free recycleable material.

[duriandan1]

That was amazing. I want to try.

[skepticalthesensible]

is it sad that I think her way of getting the bottom of the bottle was one of the coolest things I have ever seen :P

[RF71719]

It would be helpful for some of us less visual folks if you established a top and bottom and displayed this information while instructing. Thanks. -Rob

[practicalprimitive]

@RF71719

Thanks for the suggestion Rob, we'll try to incorporate that idea into future videos.

[DaveWreckingCrew]

@420 HOW? I tried to take "flakes" and in one hit I smashed my "rectangle" into three large shards...

[practicalprimitive]

@DaveWreckingCrew

D'oh! Sorry to hear that Dave. Sounds like you were a victim of what's called "overstrike", meaning you hit your rectangle too far into the glass. You need to strike PRECISELY on the VERY EDGE of your piece with the VERY TIP of your billet. Check our our Popsicle Stick Drill videos (both # 1 & #2) to learn easy exercises that will build up your accuracy. Remember, flintknapping is the art of trying to just barely miss the edge of your piece, and failing. :-)

[DaveWreckingCrew]

@practicalprimitive I don't remember anymore. I ran out of bottles to practice with... I'll get to work on a stockpile soon.

[ALABAMAHEADHUNTER]

Cool video ! I enjoyed it very much . Hope to see you soon making your own notches . You are the first Lady knapper I have evr seen .

[practicalprimitive]

@master3573 Remember, in order to reduce the convexity and make the bottle bottom flat your flakes have to travel AT LEAST to the half way point of the piece. If they aren't going that far then it will never get flat. Check your holding angle, and be sure you are using a "popsicle stick breaking" strike. (See our "Popsicle Stick Drill #1" video to learn this invaluable technique!) If you are striking too soft, as most new knappers do, your flakes will never travel far enough. Good luck!

[recepto]

Julie, your video is excellent; great that people are continuing these ancient arts

Made my first billet, and am getting started

Thanks

[hamster9777]

I have trouble grasping why nobody recommends eye~protection when doing this sort of thing,,,and not just in your videos......

[ThePXNDX77]

Thank you Lady! :P

[aj863]

Does anybody use these... for arrows?

[practicalprimitive]

@aj863 You certainly can use them for arrows, provided there is a legal stone points season in your area. You MUST make them sharp enough though. If your point won't cut a taut rubber band with just one pass it is not sharp enough to hunt with.

[tylerdurden1971]

@practicalprimitive Where Are Your Safty Glasses? BTW You're Pretty ;0)~

[tylerdurden1971]

@practicalprimitive Where Are Your Safty Glasses?

[brutallindigo]

I love this vid ..Just wondering how to make short and long flakes and also wonder if you took off long flakes on the opposite side of the glass the same way you did on the other.

[gurahl06]

That´r very cool but...how do you make de tools you are using??

[SuperUnknown1998]

that is really cool i will try to make it

[BrotherIan]

Thanks for the video!!! Most of the bottles I work with are half bottoms, found behind the local bars, so I usually end up with 2 smaller heads. I never thought to use a billet on small pieces. Looks much faster than pressure flaking the whole thing.

[caibarien71]

very good video ! she really make it look easy,,,, 

[bigglewings]

Well.. good to know I can still bleed. Dang you thinning flakes.

[jebus419]

i understand the idea of the bevel and what it does, but i cant seem to get long flakes. my understanding is that if the bevel is at about 45 degrees and you hit it strait down, almost toward you, then the flakes should bend around a couple of inches long. but mine only reach about 1/2 to an inch long? i abraid too. any advice is appriciated. and thanks for posting the video! its very helpful.

[practicalprimitive]

@jebus419 The length of the flake is entirely dependent on the angle at which you are holding your piece, the angle at which you are striking, the force of your strike and strength of your platform. Hold your piece flat, strike STRAIGHT DOWN using a "Popsicle Stick breaking strike" (check out our "Popsicle Stick Drill #1 to learn this) and be sure to really abrade your platforms. Most new knappers don't abrade nearly enough. Have fun!

[9DragonsGamer]

you have beutiful smile :)

[mrbluenun]

2) Hi again Julie,

The video is worth watching just for the detail of removing the bottle bottom!

Thank you!

mrbluenun

[laughboy123]

i tried it and mine didnt look all that bad

[maxmcvicker]

Could you please explain 5:02 "reverse the bevel" ? I'm trying but broke the piece in half when I got to the ends part and don't know how to control the length of the flakes. "round ends"...."square edges" ?? Thanks.

[andrewnable]

Great Video Julie, the bottle bottom is an excellent, cheap way to practice.

Where are your Safety Glasses though !!!

[65LB]

Be nice if she wore glasses or at least warned others to!

[MrVoiceofreason123]

I can't wait to start knapping! I took a class today and although all I did was make tons of flakes, it sure was fun and relaxing.

[GhostwalkerLD]

Julie, thank you for this splendid video!

Would it be possible to make a video explaining how you take out those nice long flakes to the center of the piece with percussion flaking? It seems like such a useful skill, but it's never something I've been able to quite get, though I've seen it done a lot, and have only ever been able to do it with pressure flaking (and I need a lot more work there, as well)! It looks like a careful angle of striking, but I'm sure there must be a little more to it!

[Linkinitn]

i ran across ur video 2day and thought it was grt. Easy to uderstand instuctions and well filmed also, we could see all the steps in good quility. i really look 4ward to seeing more of ur video's.

[HELLMATT1071]

About 22and a half degrees

[butkicker75]

I should have kept the bottle bottom I stepped on in bare feet lol

[MrAk47master]

Beautiful points.

[MasterSysop]

i like that nail in the bottle technique cuase the machine will still take the bottle and i can get my deposit money! Plus i can sell the Arrowhead and get more beer so its good all around!

[rainmechanic]

You ROCK Julie..

I saw this tonite on Discovery channels Dual Survival show with Dave Canterbury.... Dave kniapped a bottle bottom arrowhead and took a wild turykey with it... I wanted more detail on how this is done so i watched Daves youtube channel and viewed his two part series... It was ok, but not very informative about the technique.

 You however, are FREAK IN AWESOME.. This video was exactly what i was looking for...Glad i found you,.. Gonna watch your other video's..5 stars

[flmason]

Can anyone explain the part about removing the convexity/concavity a little better to me?

[practicalprimitive]

that is the curvature of the piece. The strategy is to reduce the piece so those are eliminated. reducing the piece evenly only results in a finished piece that is curved not flat. hope that helps

[flmason]

@practicalprimitive - I understand the "why"... the "how" is the problem. Seems like sometimes little flakes can be removed, then by some change in technique, long slivers can be removed.

[ishouldplayzelda]

it seems like a rock would be easier but this looks cooler

[snipemetwo]

Nice video. Right to the point!

[tmw52688]

thanks eddy for the notches

[blowgunking1994]

some of the best glass points ive ever seen

[citationxbjfv]

julie,,where i can buy flintknapping tools,,,,thanks

[DrSpauldingthe3rd]

This is how Tone n Tenn makes all his arrowheads and then soaks them in acid and sand so it looks real. Ha Ha Tone you old Joker....

[gtrpkr1]

@DrSpauldingthe3rd So speaks Dr Spaulding the turd I mean the third.

[coltino1911]

A comment from Italy: This video is great, because it proposes a simple way to create arrow-points and also other artifacts (if the glass is bigger) without using obsidian materials, that are difficult to find. I'm very interested in flintknapping and this is the first video concerning glass-flintknapping. Thank you very much and continue posting.

Grazie infinite! Davvero un bel video!

[dliwehtfollacsutube]

i love this video...i have made several points from bottle bottoms while watching this...i teach primitive skills at first earth but knapping has always been my weak point....thanks for making this so easy to understand

[jacksoncole79]

how many grains on average are these?

[kaymand4]

can i download this video to view later

[IWFJK]

i see in your description you said "please remember to abrade".....what does abrade mean?

[doughnutugy1]

@IWFJK it means remember to wipe of your leather cloth thingy i forgot what its called.

[99wit99]

Can you use these or is this just for practice or fun.

[practicalprimitive]

Oh yes, glass points can definitely be made sharp enough to use! Just remember that "sharp" and "sharp enough to hunt with" are different things. (Hunting points need to be VERY sharp!) However, you'll have to check the laws in your state to see if they are legal.

[zanecooitmaxx]

Good video 

[Canuckboy123]

Julie and Eddie taught me how to knap :) Great video. Now I know how to get those bottoms off :)

[sevenheadeddragon]

great movie, very charming woman

[kaziklu79]

Great video :)

[paleomanjim]

Julie, great presentation. Your knapping skill and explanations are perfect and the nail trick to remove the bottle bottom was something new to me. Thanks for sharing....jim

[practicalprimitive]

Thanks Jim, really appreciate you saying so. We love your videos too!

Julie

[TheHarleyhillbilly]

Nice video I made a point from a brown beer bottle when I show people my points they like the glass one the best..

[chrissept21]

i think with a brown lether thong and a hole in the top would make a nice necklace

[choclab4me]

Great tutorial video. Thank you so much for sharing with us knuckle- busters! Any chance there's a notching video in the near future?

[hunterray2002]

Great tutorial. What nation are you from may I ask. I am looking for any info on the suiox nation and there ways . Thanks again for providing the tutorial beautiful lady. God Bless.

[flossiekat]

Is this advisable for a beginner? Your work is gorgeous, thanks for sharing!!!

[practicalprimitive]

Absolutely! Making fire is a wonderful thing and we teach all sorts of folks who are brand new to both fire making and the whole idea of practicing primitive types of skills. (In fact, we just did a Fire Making workshop yesterday with a whole group of beginners!) Hope this advice helps out!

[Wertak68]

I have done something similar with a broken TV picture tube. When you break the gun portion of the glass it lets in air and then you break it down the the safety band of the tube. It is better to cut the glass into smaller workable pieces because of the major risk of cutting yourself with such a large slab of glass. We used an electric tile cutter, and sense it is leaded glass percussion should be done outside.

[elobiretv]

if i practive on glass before i move onto the 2g of rock i bought will it help improve the quality on the points i make with the rock?

[1hunterdale]

wow that was a neat trick with the nail .hey you think they can be made sharp enough to hunt deer with thanks

[practicalprimitive]

Absolutely ! Man has been using obsidian forever and it is volcanic glass. Learning to sharpen takes finesse and practice. Be sure to check local game laws regarding minimum width and shape requirements. NEVER hunt with any point unless it will shave hair. Be Ethical and be well.

[1hunterdale]

thanks wear im from it only has to be 7/8 in wide with to cuting sides so people i see use bone it worked to i think i dould rather use glass thanks very good videos

[fly2000jtb]

Thanks so much for that!! I have been trying to use the bottles that have to much curvature. Thanks again, Joseph T (fly2000jtb)

[fly2000jtb]

What bottle was it that you used, if You can Post the name? I think I might be able to do this if I had the right bottle bottom?!? I am using (litter) coors lite 40oz's I found in the bushes and on our lawn the other day?!? They are brown but sem to have too much concaveness if that is a word?!? I cant see how I am going to get a arrow head that is flat on both sides that is why I asked you in my first posting? It really or they really have humps on the inside after you pop it free, Joseph T.

[practicalprimitive]

The bottles we used are from Tahitian Noni bottles. They are fairly flat and thick. If a bottle has excess curvature they cannot be made flat. Keep searching for the "perfect" bottle bottom.

be well

[fly2000jtb]

I broke three bottoms so far!?! I got as far as trying to get the triangle shape!?! When finished is the arrow head flat on both sides? I used a clear glass bottle first then decided to use a brown one from then on. You never abraded yours as well? All the ohter knappers do some kind of grinding action to see the platforms they say. Maybe that is where I am having my problems. I won't give up til I get it right. I am learning how hard and where not to hit it haaahhhs Thanks for video Joseph T

[practicalprimitive]

Hang in there and keep practicing ! Yes the point should be flat and yes you should abrade (at a 45 degree angle) . Try the strike accuracy video techniques as well and thanks for watchin

[elobiretv]

abrading increases how you far the flake travels so it should help you decrease the flatness aswell. you could also try hitting it at a higher angle as well

[gewizpk]

I like how you make it look so easy

[profletcher69]

this is a very helpful vid but I was waondering if you could make one about the tools you use and what there made of.

[voodoochile27]

very good video

[robinturns]

That is a brilliant inspirational little tutorial, well done and thanks for sharing it.

[dougbret]

can i buy theise

[practicalprimitive]

You are indeed correct about the importance of abrading. Leaving this out was a conscious decision as the footage was not what I had hoped it would be. But abrade, abrade, abrade is something we always stress in our workshops! Thanks for watching and we appreciate your comments.

[consistentbass]

I have always wanted to learn this given the fact that sometimes flint is hard to come by and glass might be more available.

Thanks Julie!

[73mensailedoff]

Very nice video Julie thanks for doing it.

5*

[30156]

Thanks guys, that was great. I'm always hanging out for your next vid. As an Aussie student who only gets the chance to take a class over there every couple of years and who basically has to teach themselves everything, these videos are invaluable. Hope all you students realise who fortunate you are to have the great schools and teachers over there!!

Thanks again :)

[cplrey]

Well done Julie!

[silnthowl]

Can you edit in the photos of Hugo passed out after emptying them?

[nates1973]

Great job, guys! I think I'm going to go spend some time busting bottles. :-)

Nate