How to Make a Bone Awl

Create a sharp edge on the chert, if necessary. Chert is a sedimentary rock that can be easily broken into layers and sharp edges. Use the hammer stone to pound the chert, breaking off small pieces. Check the broken chert to find a piece with a sharp edge that is easy to grasp. This will serve as your carving tool.

Create two grooves in the long bone to measure out the ideal length for your bone awl. Move the chert fragment back and forth in each groove until there is a substantial indentation.

Bend the long bone at each of the grooves, causing it to break at these points. If the bone is thin and your grooves are deep, the bone should easily snap. A thicker bone may not snap as easily. Continue creating deeper grooves or try to smash the bone with the hammer stone to break it apart. Do not worry if the bone cracks down the side or does not break evenly.

Carve a groove down the length of the bone with the chert fragment. This will help the bone break evenly in half lengthwise. If the bone cracked while you were breaking the ends off, use this crack to start your groove. The groove must be approximately halfway deep into the bone.

Insert the sharp end of the chert fragment into the end of the bone at the starting point of the groove. The fragment will work as a wedge to break the bone down the groove. Push the chert fragment into the top of the groove until it is wedged into the top of the bone.

Stand the bone up with the chert fragment on top of the bone. Pound the chert fragment with the hammer stone, pushing it down into the groove and cracking the bone. Go slowly to control the cracking. If you hit the bone rapidly, it could cause it to crack in the wrong place.

Pull the remainder of the bone apart when the crack reaches approximately halfway. The bone should easily split into two halves.

Choose either half of the bone to continue shaping your awl. Position the bone on a piece of hard wood or rock. Pound the thinnest end with the hammer stone, chipping away pieces to create a sharp, ragged point.

Smooth out the bone awl with sand stone. The thickest part of the awl should be made wide and flat enough to comfortably fit into the palm of your hand, while the tip should have a sharp edge.

File the awl with a piece of equisetum. Equisetum is a type of plant that will give the awl a polish and finely file the tip to a sharp point.