For millions of years humanity made every tool it needed from stone, wood or bone. From the simple choppers and hand axes used by primitive hominids to the sophisticated ground and flaked tools of Bronze Age civilization, stone hammers, axes and knives gave man the power to tame his world.
Recreate a piece of history by making a simple hafted stone hammer or axe. Smooth river cobbles can be used to make a hammer similar to those used by the earliest Native Americans.
Step One
Soak the rawhide thong in water overnight. The wet leather will contract as it dries to provide a tight connection between hammer and handle.
Step Two
Insert the carbide stone grinding attachment into the rotary tool and put on your safety glasses. The carbide grinding surface will be used to shape the hammer stone.
Step Three
Place the stone into a vise to hold it steady and grind a 1/2-inch wide shallow groove into the middle of the stone. The groove should go from the top to the bottom of that side of the stone. Turn the stone over and grind a groove into the other side.
Step Four
Place the stone into the vise with the front facing up and flatten the front face of the hammer stone with the carbide grinding attachment. Grind away just enough material to provide an even striking surface on your hammer.
Step Five
Place the hammer head between the two green willow wands with 2 inches of willow sticking up past the top of the hammer stone. The willow wands should rest in the grooves cut into the stone.
Step Six
Make a slip knot in one end of the thong and pull the other end of the rawhide thong through it just underneath the hammer head. This is where you will begin wrapping the stone to lash it onto the handle.
Step Seven
Pull the thong tight and make three tight loops around the willow wands above the hammer head. Push the end of the thong through the gap between the willow sticks and wrap the remaining thong tightly around the willow wands beneath the hammer stone and tie it off with a couple of knots.
Step Eight
Tie one end of the cotton twine just underneath the rawhide lashing and wrap the rest of the willow wand handle with tight loops of twine to make the handle easier to grip.
Step Nine
Place the hammer in a warm dry place and allow the rawhide lashing to dry. As it dries it will contract to hold the hammer head tightly attached to the handle.