Ancient Craft Techniques: Slate Arrowhead Creation

Recently I was on a Scout Camp and one of the weekend’s most memorable highlights was instructing on a hands-on project that wove together wilderness know-how and the ingenious traditions of ancient peoples. Each Scout was tasked with crafting a slate arrowhead, an exercise that demanded patience, creativity, and a steady hand. Carefully, they chipped and shaped the cool, flat stone, learning to see potential in raw materials that, at first glance, appeared unremarkable.

The arrowheads were shaped with care and patience, using rough sandpaper fixed to a wooden block to gradually wear down the slate’s edges. Scouts carefully dipped the slate pieces into water as they worked, which not only kept the stone cool under friction but also prevented dust and fragments from scattering. This process allowed for finer control, turning each nondescript shard of slate into a symmetrical, pointed arrowhead.

Once each arrowhead was formed, the real challenge began: securely fastening it to a sturdy stick to create a functional projectile. Instead of modern glue, Scouts employed artificial sinew—tough, waxed thread that echoes the resilience of real animal tendons used by early craftspersons. To finish the binding, they turned to one of nature’s oldest adhesives: pine pitch. This sticky mixture, painstakingly made from melted pine resin, a dash of beeswax for flexibility, and finely powdered charcoal for strength, was heated gently over the campfire. As the pitch simmered, it filled the air with a rich, pine aroma which helped to keep away any midges.

There was a lot of pride as Scouts compared their handiwork between themselves. Each unique arrowhead a testament to perseverance and newfound knowledge. The experience illuminated how ancient crafts can still inspire creativity, connection, and a deep appreciation for the world’s natural resources.

The croaking chorus of spring

A good sign that spring is on the way is when you hear the chorus of frogs in your pond.

Counted 8 frogs sat in the plants and weed with a couple croaking away this afternoon.

A large amount of frogspawn has also appeared. Although you can find forgspawn from as early as January, typically in my pond, it’s March time.

Do you know the difference between frog and toad spawn? Frog is normally clumped together, whilst toad is strung in a line.

Whilst tempting to move spawn from a pond to somewhere else, it is not advisable as you could introduce contaminants from one pond to anthoer (diseases, invasive species etc.)

This time of year is great to just sit and watch the pond life and nature take its course.

Discover Hidden Bushcrafting Gems at Second Hand Book Shops

Books have played a big part in bushcraft through passing on knowledge and wisdom from the tombs of Camping and Woodcraft by Horace Kephart to the volumes by Mors Kochanski. Not forgetting all the related books on topics that expand and craft your bushcraft skills (too many to mention).

There is no better way of learning that going outside and practicing your skills, but sometimes as the nights draw in and the weather worsens there is nothing better than sitting reading and building your knowledge ready for the next opportunity to get to practice.

Finding a good book to read can be both easy and hard. Typing “Bushcraft Books” into the internet will provide a plethora of results from which to purchase. For me though visiting a second hand book shop to browse the shelves on a voyage of literature discovery is an opportunity not to be passed up.

Why? because you may just find something that you hand not considered and will take you down a route to expand your knowledge that bit wider and further. As an example here are my two latest finds. Both these books combined cost £12. Certainly cheaper than the internet (in some cases) and I had the pleasure of perusing these whilst standing near a roaring fire in the corner of the shop (no books were harmed!).

The first book is Woodlands by Oliver Rackham and is from the New Naturalist Library (NN). I have found the books from NN to be good and informative, sometimes a bit heavy, by still good.

The second book is on Archaeology. Why did this peak my interest? It has a whole chapter on tools and lithics with good illustrations and was £2 out of the £12 spent. I hadn’t really considered looking at any Archaeology books for bushcraft inspiration before, but now I will.

So if you spot a second hand bookshop, go and have a look. You may be surprised at what you find.

Exploring Nalbinding: An Ancient Textile Technique

Nalbinding is something that I have want to try and have not really got round to until now. I was inspired by a video on YouTube from Sally Pointer where she provides instruction on how to make a bag using a simple loop and twist (blanket stitch) and extending the raffia cordage for the amount you need.

Nalbinding, also known as needle binding, is an ancient textile technique that predates both knitting and crochet. Originating from regions like Scandinavia and the Middle East, it involves using a single-eyed needle to create fabric by looping and knotting short lengths of yarn or thread. Unlike knitting, which can be unravelled back to a starting point, nalbinding results in a series of interlocking loops that are much harder to undo. This method produces durable, warm textiles such as socks, mittens, and hats, and it showcases the ingenuity and skill of early artisans in creating practical and long-lasting garments.

Cordage is something that I enjoy making and it was a good excuse to use a bundle of raffia I had on the shelf.

The technique is simple but both strong and versatile for making a bag with.

Happy with the results. The video is linked below should you want to try yourself. I spent about a day on this. I learnt a lot from doing this and by the end my spacing and stitches were certainly getting better. I will do some more experimenting in the future.

Crafting Primitive Composite Fishhooks

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a session with Adam Logan (www.awoodsman.co.uk) on Primitive Composite Fishhooks. This was a great session where I learnt how to make a Trolling Hook.

Primitive composite fishhooks are fascinating artifacts from ancient times, illustrating early human ingenuity. These hooks were typically made from a combination of materials like bone, wood, and stone, meticulously crafted to catch fish efficiently. The composite design, often involving a sharp, curved point attached to a sturdy shaft, showcased early humans’ understanding of both the materials at their disposal and the behaviour of their prey. Such hooks not only highlight the resourcefulness and adaptability of early cultures but also offer invaluable insights into the evolution of fishing technology and subsistence strategies in prehistoric societies.

First thing was to learn about the shape of the hooks, materials and the best way to carve the hook.

A practice at the lashings using a bigger version and cord to see if we could master the wrapping method and end up with a neat cross wrap. The main goal here is to have a straight line of the wrap down the centre of the hook.

Moving on to carving. This is where you take time to ensure that the angles and cuts are right so that the width of the hook shaft and point are the same width, otherwise you end up with a loose wrap.

Shaft = Seasoned Oak (Strong sturdy shaft)
Point = Seasoned Yew (Has a slight flexibility)
Wrap = Split Spruce root

At the top of the shaft I put a V notch for the attachment of a leader.

The final stage when dry as the Spruce root was damp, was to dip the hook into a hot pine resin for waterproofing and ensuring the wrap doesn’t come loose.

Here you can see my finished Trolling Hook with an illustration from a book called “Indian Fishing, early methods on the Northwest coast” by Hilary Stewart. This is an excellent book and reference guide for making fishing related items. This illustration also shows the shape of the hook I carved.

Fishing was an integral part of life for the Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast of North America, who developed a variety of sophisticated techniques long before European contact. They crafted tools like cedar bark nets, wooden fish traps, and intricately carved bone and antler fishhooks to capitalize on the rich marine environment. One notable method involved the construction of weirs—wooden barriers built across rivers and streams to guide fish into enclosures for easy capture. Specific techniques varied depending on the targeted species; for instance, dip nets and spears were commonly used during the salmon runs. These early methods not only demonstrate a deep understanding of the local ecosystem but also highlight the cultural and communal significance of fishing within these societies, where sustainable practices ensured the continued abundance of fish for future generations.

Hilary Stewart meticulously documents the rich fishing heritage of the Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast. She gathered material from museum archives, fish camps, and coastal village elders to illustrate the craftsmanship behind handmade tools like hooks, lines, sinkers, lures, floats, clubs, spears, harpoons, nets, traps, rakes, and gaffs. With over 300 detailed drawings, Stewart not only shows how these tools were made and used but also highlights the spiritual and cultural significance of fishing practices, including prayers, ceremonies, and taboos that reflect the deep respect these communities had for their life-giving resource