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Author Topic: First forged, socketed arrowhead  (Read 14916 times)

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Offline Matt S.

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First forged, socketed arrowhead
« on: February 03, 2011, 09:15:13 pm »
I worked in a blacksmith shop during college but haven't been around the craft in over 6 years, so when I had a chance to spend a few hours Wednesday night back in the shop, I worked on forging some socketed arrow heads. The forging went better than I expected considering how long it has been, plus this was my first attempt at making sockets.
I made a couple of short bodkin style arrowheads and one that is more broadhead shaped. These were all out of mild steel since they were "practice".

I mounted the broadhead style head to an arrow I had never finished and am pleased with its outcome (considering my level of proficiency).
Here's the arrow: (5/16" poplar dowel with oak nock insert and duck feather fletching).

And a close up:


I know it's far from perfect, but with additional practice I hope to make some nice arrowheads in the future.
Questions, comments and constructive criticism welcome.

**UPDATED**
Here's another arrow showcasing a point I forged the same night as the above arrowhead. This arrow is 32" long from nock to base of point. 3/8" at point end straight tapered to 5/16" at nock. Nock has oak insert. ~6" turkey feathers with medieval thread wrap. Arrow weights 781 grains.


« Last Edit: February 13, 2011, 01:06:40 pm by Matt S. »
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Offline thomas h

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Re: First forged, socketed arrowhead
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2011, 09:20:18 pm »
i think it is very good.
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Offline LEGIONNAIRE

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Re: First forged, socketed arrowhead
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2011, 11:06:07 pm »
hey Matt that looks like a good try. im no blacksmith so I cannot really offer much advice. I can however offer this link, you may get ideas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SmEAqaFIwI
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CESAR

LEGIONNAIRE ARCHERY

Offline aero86

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Re: First forged, socketed arrowhead
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2011, 09:07:57 am »
well, personally, i wouldnt want to get in that things way! lol  looks pretty good!
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profsaffel  "clogs like the devil" I always figured Lucifer to be more of a disco kind of guy.

Offline Scowler

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Re: First forged, socketed arrowhead
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2011, 09:39:23 am »
Pretty cool.
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jagor

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Re: First forged, socketed arrowhead
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2011, 05:31:48 am »
nice socket, it's still the biggest problem of arrowhead forging to me  ;D

what's the weight of that thing?

cheers!
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Offline Matt S.

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Re: First forged, socketed arrowhead
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2011, 10:30:37 am »
Quote from: jagor on February 11, 2011, 05:31:48 am
nice socket, it's still the biggest problem of arrowhead forging to me  ;D

what's the weight of that thing?

cheers!

The socket is the hardest part, the point is elementary compared to the socket!

These things came in kind of heavy. I don't remember exactly, but I think this particular point was in the neighborhood of 300 grains.

Next time I forge some arrowheads I need to remember to take my grain scale with me. The extra weight does make the arrow hit pretty hard though!
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Lombard

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Re: First forged, socketed arrowhead
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2011, 11:37:38 am »
It has a rustically lethal look to it, that I like.
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Offline ErictheViking

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Re: First forged, socketed arrowhead
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2011, 11:53:26 am »
Looks like it will do the job it was intended to do. good work.
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"He that but looketh on a plate of ham and eggs to lust after it hath already committed breakfast with it in his heart"  C.S. Lewis

Offline ohma

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Re: First forged, socketed arrowhead
« Reply #9 on: February 13, 2011, 11:39:50 am »
id say youll be turning out some nice heads in short order. great first.
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if your not dead you are getting older so get out and shoot some arrows.

Offline Matt S.

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Re: First forged, socketed arrowhead
« Reply #10 on: February 13, 2011, 01:07:30 pm »
I updated my original post with another arrow featuring another point from my first batch of forged points.
Thanks for looking.
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Offline Parnell

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Re: First forged, socketed arrowhead
« Reply #11 on: February 17, 2011, 11:08:56 am »
That's pretty darn good.  It's awesome that you made it with your own hands.
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Offline Matt S.

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Re: First forged, socketed arrowhead
« Reply #12 on: February 23, 2011, 04:05:51 pm »
Here are some more from the other night (my second batch).


Due to the nice weather we were using the coal forges instead of the gas forges inside the shop. Sharing a coal forge with someone who is heating up a large piece of metal is risky as you can see from the burnt socket of the middle arrowhead.

These points came out much more consistent than my first batch and the weight is a bit better too, averaging right around 200 grains. I still need to do some fine tuning on the grinding wheel and then brush them really good.
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Offline DEllis

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Re: First forged, socketed arrowhead
« Reply #13 on: February 23, 2011, 07:03:09 pm »
Pretty cool points!
Darcy :)
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Darcy Ellis
Fort Fraser BC Canada eh!

Offline CanadianDIYer

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Re: First forged, socketed arrowhead
« Reply #14 on: March 27, 2011, 08:54:23 pm »
Those are nice points! I've been doing some blacksmithing points as well, yours seem better than mine though.

Keep up the nice work! do you temper them or heat treat them in anyway?
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