I have some left-overs from a recent excursion, and wanted to get some tools out there that were made from all natural materials. What I'll be working with are deer bones, a few different species of wood, and shale. They aren't made yet, but I plan on having necklaces, arrows, spears, and maybe something else. This thread will also serve as my build thread.
Here are the deer bones: one scapula, a few ribs, and some vertebrae. Some of the ribs and vertebrae have broken since the photo was taken, so I'll have to re-count and see how many I have left to use.
The shale hasn't been knapped yet, so I'll hold off on taking photos until they are.
Everything - the materials themselves, the process, and the intended use - will be used and performed as it was about 150 years ago. I'm half Cherokee and love to make things like this, so it will be fun.
I'm looking at about seven necklaces, seven or eight (twice that amount if I snap the ribs in half) spears / arrowheads, and one possible shovel if the scapula cooperates. As for the shale, I think I'll have about five good arrows or scrapers. I'll burn designs into some and put traditional decorations (beads, feathers, leather, etc.) on others. If you win any of these, I'll burn your name (or anything else you want) into the handle, arrow shaft, etc.
Here's how you win: Post a photo of the most "natural" tool or weapon you own (staying within the context of this thread). Explain what it is, how you obtained it, and what you use it for. If it's just for decoration, that's fine
This give-away will take place in the beginning days of May; I have to make these first. I will ship via USPS Priority Mail only; no FedEx or UPS. No international participants please. Yes, it's legal for me to ship animal remains (bones) from here.
Step 1: Sterilization:
This is the only part of the process where I'm using modern materials, but it's necessary (in my mind).
The bones were ran under the hose used in the kitchen sink; the water was as hot as possible. Then, the bones were put into a large cat litter pan with 8 ounces of lemon juice, eight ounces of dishwashing liquid, and the rest boiling water. The litter pan was covered in plastic wrap and left overnight. Then it was emptied, the bones rinsed, and left to dry in the sunlight.
Please leave your input below.
Continued in below posts as necessary for updates and ideas...
Here are the deer bones: one scapula, a few ribs, and some vertebrae. Some of the ribs and vertebrae have broken since the photo was taken, so I'll have to re-count and see how many I have left to use.
The shale hasn't been knapped yet, so I'll hold off on taking photos until they are.
Everything - the materials themselves, the process, and the intended use - will be used and performed as it was about 150 years ago. I'm half Cherokee and love to make things like this, so it will be fun.
I'm looking at about seven necklaces, seven or eight (twice that amount if I snap the ribs in half) spears / arrowheads, and one possible shovel if the scapula cooperates. As for the shale, I think I'll have about five good arrows or scrapers. I'll burn designs into some and put traditional decorations (beads, feathers, leather, etc.) on others. If you win any of these, I'll burn your name (or anything else you want) into the handle, arrow shaft, etc.
Here's how you win: Post a photo of the most "natural" tool or weapon you own (staying within the context of this thread). Explain what it is, how you obtained it, and what you use it for. If it's just for decoration, that's fine
This give-away will take place in the beginning days of May; I have to make these first. I will ship via USPS Priority Mail only; no FedEx or UPS. No international participants please. Yes, it's legal for me to ship animal remains (bones) from here.
Step 1: Sterilization:
This is the only part of the process where I'm using modern materials, but it's necessary (in my mind).
The bones were ran under the hose used in the kitchen sink; the water was as hot as possible. Then, the bones were put into a large cat litter pan with 8 ounces of lemon juice, eight ounces of dishwashing liquid, and the rest boiling water. The litter pan was covered in plastic wrap and left overnight. Then it was emptied, the bones rinsed, and left to dry in the sunlight.
Please leave your input below.
Continued in below posts as necessary for updates and ideas...
