Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: Sammakesbows on August 27, 2020, 05:26:35 pm

Title: Aluminum or brass arrowheads
Post by: Sammakesbows on August 27, 2020, 05:26:35 pm
Would either work for arrowheads? Could you mix them together?
Title: Re: Aluminum or brass arrowheads
Post by: Pat B on August 27, 2020, 05:46:27 pm
As long as you aren't hunting big game. They would probably work fine for squirrels and rabbits or for target points.
Title: Re: Aluminum or brass arrowheads
Post by: Russ on August 27, 2020, 09:58:11 pm
yeah i bet it would work just remember that both of those metals are pretty soft compared to iron, steel or rock.
Title: Re: Aluminum or brass arrowheads
Post by: dylanholderman on August 30, 2020, 10:40:05 am
i think that brass might work (there are a lot of surviving bronze arrow heads)  aluminium i think would be to soft and too light weight.

in the "Encyclopedia of native american bows, arrows, and quivers" by Allely and Hamm page 30 there are three brass arrowheads in the shape of barbered broad-heads, wither or not they were ever used in anybody's guess but they did exist.
Title: Re: Aluminum or brass arrowheads
Post by: Digital Caveman on August 30, 2020, 05:12:44 pm
.38 casings and fancy field-points (probably meant just for targets) are brass, but I don't know of any brass broad heads.  How many times would you want to shoot one?
Title: Re: Aluminum or brass arrowheads
Post by: bownarra on September 08, 2020, 02:04:20 am
No and no :)
Title: Re: Aluminum or brass arrowheads
Post by: JackCrafty on September 08, 2020, 12:18:37 pm
Since aluminum weighs almost the same as stone (very similar specific gravity) you can practice with aluminum arrowheads and switch to stone for the hunt.

Brass works fine, in my opinion. Depends on the alloy specs. It can be made to hold an edge better that wrought iron or copper, I imagine. Similar to bronze (used for arrowheads for centuries), as already stated. If mixed with aluminum, it becomes stronger.
Title: Re: Aluminum or brass arrowheads
Post by: Mesophilic on September 21, 2020, 02:18:50 pm
Not sure about aluminum but brass can be work hardened.  You only need it to do the job once.  I would test extensively before going after large game, but I think if it were properly constructed (don't use thin sheet brass),  and work hardened to hold an edge and not permanently bend on impacts,  it should work fine. 

I'd want a center ridge to reinforce...look up ancient cast bronze beoadheads.  You could probably use brass bar stock and grind your bevels so that you have a thick center cross section.

But if I were going to all this trouble,  I'd just use steel.
Title: Re: Aluminum or brass arrowheads
Post by: Digital Caveman on September 22, 2020, 05:37:12 pm
What about casting bronze? I think it is 90% copper 10% tin.  Just make a wax arrow head, burry it in sand, and pour molten bronze over it.  Simple, right?  :)
Title: Re: Aluminum or brass arrowheads
Post by: JackCrafty on September 29, 2020, 08:13:30 pm
Will Lord uses an earthenware and lost wax technique to cast a bronze axe head in this video:

---https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FluD0DRdK2Y