Ancient Greek archers used a barbed bronze arrowhead. Here's how to make a replica arrowhead that is as beautiful as it is deadly.
Shawn Woods goes way back in history to come up with this project. He reproduces a stylish bronze arrowhead from ancient Greece.
The example of the arrowhead he copies is taken from the 4th or 5th century, is a two-blade design and has an unusual single barb at the base of the head. It's quite beautiful actually, but is just as effective as a killing tool. The barb ensures that the arrow would be tough to remove from flesh once embedded.
First he carves a replica of the broadhead from wood, and then he assembles the few pieces of equipment he'll be using to cast the arrowhead from bronze.
What you'll need:
- A crucible from which to pour molten metal. Woods made one from a fire brick.
- Metal. Bronze is 88 percent copper and 12 percent tin. Woods acquired tin pellets from Amazon.
- A mold. He reuses a mold that he used when he cast the Otzi the Iceman axe head as well as an Otzi-era copper dagger.
- A quantity of Delft Sand for making an imprint.
Other tools you'll want:
- Torch.
- Grinder.
- Drill press.
Following Woods' directions are easy enough, and the arrowhead comes out looking quite nice. You can reuse everything more than once, so you can make multiple points by using the same carved broadhead.
Woods has done quite a lot of historical reproductions, including reproducing a Saxton Pope metal arrowhead. Check out his new facebook page to keep abreast of his latest projects.
Like what you see here? You can read more great articles by David Smith at his facebook page, Stumpjack Outdoors.
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