The spike nail I use is 1/4" in diameter and less than 10" long. I get them at the hardware store. If your hardware store is stupid, your results may vary.
Jack thank you for this video. I can now get the copper tools i need. I have a 10mm and 15mm copper bar. Just ordered a copper hammer with a 25mm head. just have to find my tin with the 150mm long nails so im getting the things together so i can start flint knapping. My dream is to one day make a Arrowhead.
I tried drilling out the base of an expanded Barnes bullet. These are solid copper expander projectiles for firearms, but make pretty flower shapes after expansion. The process of being fired down a barrel hardens the base incredibly, tool steel bits barely scratch the stuff. So, copper can be made quite hard with a bit of intention. There are infinite copper alloys, it's our first metal, so it's been experimented on the most. Electric wire is 99.9% pure, plumbing tube will be full of hardeners, like vanadium and chromium, and a bunch of other elements. I'm sort of into metallurgy and history. 2000 alloy aluminum should resist mushrooming more than 6061 or 7005 alloys. That's all the knowledge I can add on the topic.
Have you ever used 7075 aluminum? It's harder but I wonder if it's too hard. I may ask Newman too just because I've gotten curious enough to buy a piece but I only want to do it once.
Muchísimas gracias ppr su tiempo en responder, actualmente estoy intentando la cuarcita y tengo que hacerme una herramienta similar a la suya para intentar conseguir algo decente. Muchas gracias jack y mis respetos como su seguidor. Saludos desde España.