Making arrowheads from glass!

Learn how to make arrowheads and clean your environment at the same time! Glass bottles are one of the greatest ways to learn to flintknap.

[@OnTheRiver66]

Excellent instructions! There was no internet when I started knapping and this video would have saved me a lot of time figuring out how to handle these situations.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Glad it helped!

[@OnTheRiver66]

@@primitivewildernesssurviva648 I heard the phrase some years ago that when you learn to make the tools you learn about the tool marker. I added this phrase, which was picked up by Dr. Callahan that when you learn about the tool maker you learn about yourself. I believe that to be true. When I started knapping I felt that what I was doing was a natural part of my nature, like it was part of me, like I have done it before. Have you ever felt that?

[@PointHunting]

This has got to be the best video ive watched on making arrowheads from glass he explains everything amazingly.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thank you!

[@TheBlueCollarHeathen]

This is the most intuitive explanation of knapping I’ve seen thus far

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much!

[@gregstastanivich9890]

Brother, your explanation of the mechanics of knapping was as clear as I have seen. You did an incredible job. Loved that you used a whole antler. Thank you.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

@@gregstastanivich9890 thank you so much

[@docv73]

Nicely done. This is a prefect example of why I tell people to watch multiple videos on the same topic, and even rewatch some. Especially after you start knapping, go back and rewatch again. Your experience doing/seeing things first hand will make some things make more sense, and click better when you see it (again) in a video, only now, with that experience that helps you understand the context and end goal better. NOBODY in the knapping video community explains everything completely and well. Not even when taking about a specific topic, like platforms, notching, or... bottle bottoms. Everybody hits a point that someone else misses, explains something better, or has a better way to demo it. For me, I've watched probably 10 videos about bottle bottoms alone, and I've knapped lots of points from bottle and jar bottoms, but you did a good job on some things that others didn't - including me, when I'm trying to explain it. Most valuable... Using the centerline as your measurement of flat, and trying to bring the concave and convex edges to a flat center line, instead of measuring flat based on the two curved surfaces themselves. That makes it a lot easier to accomplish, instead of chasing curved surfaces and visual perception. You are the second person I've seen explain and utilize scrunching with the antler, but the first I've seen using that to set up a continuous platform along one whole side. I've scrunched, but usually to establish a better platform. I hadn't thought to use it more large scale like you did. Also, concentrating on just one side for as long as you did is a great tip. Thanks for taking the time.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much!

[@savage22bolt32]

Sometimes I pick up some good information from reading the comments section of various videos too. Thanks!

[@brianbassett4379]

When I was a kid my parents would take the family to Eastern Oregon almost every year. After finding a few arrowheads my father began learning how to make them. Once he got good we would sit around the fire at night and he would make arrowhead after arrowhead. Being an avid rockhound paired well with learning how to make all kinds of arrow and spear tips. He would use obsidian, jasper, jade, agate, even opal. While fishing, hiking, hunting, camping, and rock hounding he would take a pocket full with him and put them in places he thought (hoped) someone might find them. He would even make arrow shafts from tree branches... most broken and then attached them to the arrowhead using tanned deer skin to keep them authentic. The opal arrowhead ended up on a chain for my mom.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Wow! Great memories! Thanks for sharing

[@patrickharmon9459]

That sounds awesome

[@hillbillyohio513]

Great video bro, the way you explain things makes perfect sense. Makes me think I can do this and I'm going to give it a try. Thanks brother

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks! You can absolutely do it!

[@hillbillyohio513]

@@primitivewildernesssurviva648 thanks again and if I succeed I'll try to find a way to share with you 😁

[@ralphammons8421]

Nice detailed teaching, young man! Well done!

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much!

[@mauricioruiz9021]

Awesome point! Flint knapping is an amazing skill. Thanks for the lesson!

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much

[@jasonsummit1885]

Glass is quite a bit more forgiving than obsidian, goldstone works great and looks awesome too.😁👍

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Very true!

[@brianfreland9065]

thanks for sharing this vid. i really wanted to learn napping so i can make my own arrowheads for my trad bow but i didnt want to spend 200 bucks on flint to ruin while learning. this is a much more economical way to learn without spending any money! thanks again!

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much!

[@j.l.emerson592]

I once knew a guy who was a fairly talented self-taught knapper. He taught himself to make archaic arrowheads, which he sold as 'genuine'... Anyway, his favorite material to practice on was the bottom of old 1 gallon jugs of Roundup. (I don't think it's sold in glass jugs anymore.) He used the thick rubber from inner tubes for heavy equipment tires, 10 penny nails & wooden chopsticks. (Instead of leather & antlers) He had no real concern about the potential hazard of the debitage created by knapping. His only concession to 'safety' was to knap in only 1 spot... His glass creations were always his own designs, his vanity pieces. When he used natural rocks, he always counterfieted the native American styles of points.

[@mattedwards4533]

Good directions! I use to make heads but not from beer bottles. They required a better knapper than I was. One small error and I had to start over. You have more patients than I.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks!

[@jameswatson2755]

Best explanation I’ve heard for how to work past a 90 degree edge

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Wow, thanks!

[@josephascroft4774]

This is a great video the information was very helpful and I love the encouragement to tidy up the outdoors, thanks and God bless you

[@jimallmondsr3467]

You are a very talented man! Please start wearing your safety glasses. Some people will mess up but you will have at least set a great example! Great video, I will recommend it to others for you.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much!

[@Stevelemontrudy]

That was really cool. Knappin' seems right up my alley, but I don't know if I can justify spending a bunch of $$$ on rocks collected from who-knows-where and then trucked to my house. If I can make them out of garbage, that would be sweet. Thanks for the great info.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks!

[@ColeHomestead]

I've recently been interested in knapping and watching other videos and they use same techniques but don't say "why" they are doing, you finaly cleared up questions I had why they abrade the edge, why they set up platforms and so forth - Great Job Sir!

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much!

[@Graybear78]

Very interesting demonstration. Thank you. However, to knap without eye protection is asking for an injury to the eyes from a wayward flake. Caution!

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks very much, I agree

[@davearonow65]

Worst day of my life were the two hours I spent with a tiny flake of Razor sharp clear epoxy in my eye. It was misery like I've never known and I've broken all sorts of bones. It was so small and clear, it took the eye doctor 20 minutes at least, just to find it in my eye. I always wear eye protection but after a day of cutting and Sanding, etc, in my wood shop, I took my eye protection off, went outside and dusted myself off which apparently sent small flakes of saw dust and epoxy and glue and other things I had been cutting into the air like a giant cloud around me. Next thing I know, the next two hours of my life would be the most miserable hours I had ever experienced. The short story, protect your eyes or it is not a matter of if, but a matter of when it will happen to you.

[@patrickleescott2370]

great video! glad to be able to review it after doing it with you this past weekend!

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks!

[@n.b.p.davenport7066]

An Indian friend of mine in Arizona used to heat the rock up and then used small droplets of water and it was just ship that small spot where the water touch, and he used to do the style you're doing for the big ones😅

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

I’ve heard of that many times, never tried it though

[@gregmarek8689]

So cool brother, really rad man, I'm gonna start

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

@@gregmarek8689 yes!🙌

[@catalhuyuk7]

I have the worst luck with glass. I break so many jars, cups etc. So happy to know I can put them to good use.

[@debbiethomas6824]

Excellent video and very explanatory.thanks!!

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stevanrose7439]

Try as I might to make them straight they still have a curve. So what I have taken to is thicker glass from old windows. I found some on a job site and the guy thought I was crazy for saving that old broken glass. I have two old glass doors that I thought about braking up to make some points. It’s at least a quarter inch thick.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Nice!

[@patrickharmon9459]

I was able to see just fine as you removed flakes. Keep up the good work and God bless

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thank you!

[@bobkelly2447]

Fantastic ! THANK YOU ! now I gott'a practice ! I was wondering if you could do that with glass.... I tried but failed.... but now I think I know why your a master at this. thank you for shairing your hard earned knowledge... the many hours you have in doing this shows !

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much!

[@debbiehaight724]

Thank you, never seen it before.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks!

[@Rockfish37]

Left a like just for the sick shirt. I love my button ups :)

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks!

[@stefanlindner2348]

great and thrilling clip, Philipp, thank you - you had much effort with the macro mode - however your glasshead I S perfect !! Regards from Bavaria / Germany

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Many thanks!

[@user-yr6ug7cl2i]

Really enjoyed this video. Amazing to watch, Thanks.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@glennbeadshaw727]

Yep.... I've been on this planet for a while and I haven't seen this yet until now...... that's some craftsmanship right there

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much!

[@DementiaSurvivor]

Thank you

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-zv6ns2ki3u]

Super cool 😊

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much!

[@Wolves335]

I like your scrunching technique.

[@DadCanCook]

Best tutorial I've seen great job.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍☀️

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Wow, thanks!

[@captrod63]

Thanks!

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much!

[@savage22bolt32]

Great vid! I haven't tried knapping yet, but its on my bucket list.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

You should!

[@savage22bolt32]

@@primitivewildernesssurviva648 In the early 1960's, my elderly neighbor showed me a display case of about a dozen beautiful arrow heads. He found them in a corn field near the Farmington River in CT. The tribe in that area was the Tunxis Indian Tribe. Since then, I have had the idea of making one for display. Also, I fully support the folks who actually make their equipment and actually use it for it's purpose 🦌❤

[@jackreifenberg5757]

Awsome video # best survival instructor from outdoor Texas camp

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much!

[@SynthRockViking]

Ooof I can't handle the "texture and sound of crunching glass 😫 Omg that scene from the punisher 2 💀

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Haha, I totally understand

[@buttonsvixen4698]

Cool thanks. Tried Knapping glass with no antler and only a piece of tile I found. Got a good shape but was not able to make a sharp edge. I see how to square edges and I’ll go to the pet store and buy a piece of antler.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Good luck!

[@RamblinJer]

I'm pretty sure I'd end up in the E.R. getting stitches 😂

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Just be careful!

[@frankhanzlicek6550]

Sehr gute Erklärung! Danke!👍

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much

[@PapaRocks]

Brilliant!

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much!

[@greggibbs8641]

Don't forget your safety goggles

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Indeed!

[@ki5rllthreedronefour85]

🫡 I salute you for honoring the skills of our ancient ancestors. Your skill now. Humans who could not do this long ago, did not get game to feed themselves and their offspring. And their gene line terminated. From the first scraping rock, to Clovis spears, to arrowheads. To knifes to today. His skill is more valuable than we can explain. Well done.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much

[@bubstacrini8851]

So pit traps with pointed wooden stakes were not allowed by your archaic game wardens only perfectly knapped 7/8th" points lmao

[@thelandonhooper5149]

You have know idea how much You help me with this video . Thank You good Sir

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Glad to hear that!

[@user-eh4kv6vl8n]

Thanks bro nice video nice setting 💥✌️

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks!

[@trishahernandes7821]

I would wear safety glasses if I were you. Safety first. It's very beautiful.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

You’re right! Thank you

[@maniac50ae14]

Yeah, you dont understand how valuable your sight is until youre in jeopardy of losing it

[@RedEyedPatriot]

Was knapping some glass this morning. Took a break and scrolled YT and this video popped up. You was at 99 likes so I went ahead and smashed that like button for you. You 100 now 😆😎🏹

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much!

[@RedEyedPatriot]

@@primitivewildernesssurviva648 😎🏹

[@HoneyBerighthere-Saysarath]

Remember, safety glasses.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

I agree, I should have covered it

[@StephenMarks-yn1js]

Very nice educational and knowledgeable video

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much

[@noblereign492]

I'm curious, how much glass did you collect in that front pocket? 😂 Very cool, thanks for teaching this!

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

A LOT! Haha

[@SmokeGray]

Silicosis is a very real disease. Please consider wearing a respirator when knapping. Even in the open air environment.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

For sure

[@haritchie3460]

I was given one made from the bottom of a fruit jar. Had few with ball jars with 13 On them gave one to my brother arrow head with 13. Still on it

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Nice!

[@tituspullo9210]

Interesting video, well instructed 👍👍👍 Just wondering, why not make an arrow head out of the deer anrtler instead using metal tools? Surely it would be more durable, less fragile?

[@wbshappy1]

I can help with the lack of focus. Cameras are "Light hogs!" You need more light on the arrowhead, and yoor shirt is dark. The camera can't "see' the difference. Also, the shadow from your hat is confusing the focus of the lens. Other than that, great job!

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Hey thanks! I appreciate that! I’m not great with technology, just trying to have fun!

[@wbshappy1]

Who is good with technology; except children! :) @@primitivewildernesssurviva648

[@davearonow65]

Awesome video. Also, the camera wasnt as put of focus as you were worrying about.

[@jeffsmith6388]

Just saw your video. I live in Yuma, AZ. Some time in the late 1880's there was a sheriff killed by an Indian shooting a glass arrow.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Wow!! That’s incredible

[@almaadams3631]

Wow.....can't say much else.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks!

[@kennethmueller1687]

Great video , next time wear safety goggles...just had a piece of glass removed from my right eye from a beer bottle point , be safe ✌️

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Oh no!

[@theanthropiceyedolatry]

Do not try while drunk, saw a guy slice his hand open doing a bottle trick while partying.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Ouch!

[@DannyRiskit]

Does knocking out the bottom like that work with any bottle, or just ones that have been exposed to the elements for awhile?

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

I’ve definitely done it with plenty of brand new bottles, still works fine

[@DannyRiskit]

Right on! Thanks for the great how-to

[@stevanrose7439]

What I do to brake the bottom out is to take a 16 penny nail and put it in the bottle point first and then with my thumb over the top just shake the nail up and down the bottom will come out.

[@aka_kickassmorty9780]

I have a question about using these for hunting, would the glass potentially taint the meat with glass shards and make it dangerous to consume ?

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

I’ve never had an issue yet!

[@aka_kickassmorty9780]

@@primitivewildernesssurviva648 Ty

[@RB-yx6bc]

Probably add eye protection.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Definitely not a bad idea!

[@peterbertone7944]

Great video, thanks for sharing! How wide is the arrowhead at the widest point? The law in my state requires a 7/8th inch wide cutting surface.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

These are probably around 3/4”

[@docv73]

If you want to try it, and need larger arrowheads, use bigger bottles, like liquor bottles, jars, vases, etc. And find container bottoms with flatter profiles, so you don't lose so much edge/width flattening it. Also, if you look at bottle/jar bottoms, most will have a seam (an inner ring, that's just visible). It's SOMETIMES hard to get flakes to travel past that ring, so sometimes that becomes the usable outer edge, so keep that in mind. Try to find bases without seems, or where the seem is close to the edge of the base. I have one made from the bottom of an antique blue jar that's almost 1 1/4 inches across.

[@peterbertone7944]

@@docv73 Excellent suggestions, thank you.

[@lawrencetyler8372]

You look like, my brother lol. Like me, and him… mixed together. 😲

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Nice!

[@monicasickels7741]

Shouldn't you be wearing eye protection while chipping away on that glass?! If one little chip makes it into your eye..It's going to mess up your day! 🙂👍 ~~God Bless~~

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

You’re totally right! I’ll cover protection in the next video

[@Gary-ce2hk]

What. No eye protection

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Ooops

[@jacedantinne629]

will it kill a big foot?

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Yes! That’s the next video

[@rickydlayaute5387]

👏👏👏😀 but...Don't you need eyes protection ? 👍😎🇫🇷

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Yes, it’s a good idea

[@johnnyivie9751]

Is it really a good idea to knap an arrowhead from glass? I'm an avid longbow shooter and what's the chances of actually not hitting a bone and sending unseeable splinters of glass into your meat. Glass Iin your tummy & bowels?

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

I just check carefully while butchering. Hasn’t been an issue before

[@winterhorse290]

Where are your safety glasses!?

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Not where they should be

[@freeleonardpeltier2285]

nice Arrowheads, unfortunatly he got Glass Shards in his Eyes & Lost Eysight... What about Saftey Glasses... DUH!!

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Haha, I’ve been lucky so far but safety glasses are always a great idea

[@metalbillwilliams2285]

where is your eye protection? just messin with ya

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

You’re not wrong!

[@hotwireman49]

why don't you just use some grozing pliers?

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

It wouldn’t accomplish the same thing

[@maniac50ae14]

This is a cool idea but is the possibility of a shards breaking of into your meat, being swallowed and doing damage to your insides a concern? Did you ever watch Oz?

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Never had an issue yet. I just check around the wound channel when I clean it

[@koboldpapillon4020]

you need a micro. it's far too quiet

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

You’re probably right!

[@mattharvey8712]

Bravo........glass......try toilet ....ceramic ......cheers

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Oh yes, I’ve played with some ceramics

[@william6526]

Thats not a spike its a forked horn.

[@rawhidewesthoggers6310]

And a shed horn.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Oops

[@TheWorldIsWatching11]

This is awesome! Imagine if we self taught how to survive without killing anything. Now That is a real challenge. We would live to be hundreds of years old.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Interesting idea but I don’t believe cutting meat out of your diet would increase life expectancy

[@mustamuri]

✨💎✨ 👶👏

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks!

[@Dav624]

These are very cool and awesome in terms of performance and looks but flintknapping isn't something a person in a survival situation would actually think of and have the energy to make not only does flintknapping require extremely high precision but u can easily injure yourself by accidentally having a flake hit ur eye or u can get cut pretty badly by the sharp edges especially if u don't have the propper tools like eye protection or gloves and ur just using some antlers u found on the ground and some clothing as padding but in a survival situation where u have nothing else except these tools it would still require a lot of calories to use in order to finish a arrowhead properly but of course the guy who is starving in the wild with nothing on him will not be making as good and detailed looking arrowheads to hunt with he will just need to make a sharp thin edge with stone or glass glue it with natural glue or tie it to a arrowshaft and than proceed to hunt with it as long as the point is sharp and sturdy the body will follow there is no need to sharpen the edges of an arrowhead really as long as u have a razor sharp point on it also flintknapping really depends on luck because u can break ur flake even though u hit it correctly precisely simply because the stone or glass couldn't withstand any more flakes so it just breaks in half and gives up that is absolutely depressing especially if it happens in a survival life or death situation so yeah overall I think flintknapping is cool but for survival situations where u need to hunt something and make something fast and quick it's ineffective in comparison to other primitive weapons u can make like wooden spears along with wooden arrows making primitive bow is easier than making the arrows too but a wooden spear is the easiest most effective quick to make weapon a guy in the wild will probably attempt to make instead of flintknapping arrowheads/spearheads and other stone/glass tools or weapons but other than that flintknapping is a extremely cool hobby if ur living a comfortable life and not a cave man one the pieces at the end too are amazingly cool as well

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Thanks so much!

[@charlesg5085]

Immigrants probably left most of that trash.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

No telling

[@PKeefe]

Wear glasses please

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Agreed, definitely a good idea

[@bogus_not_me]

You need to get a microphone - you're audio is way too quiet to hear...

[@riocanton3886]

Obsidian is glass.

[@primitivewildernesssurviva648]

Yep!