There are many ways to attach a handle onto tools. Wanting to expend the least amount of energy possible in stone age endeavors, I use vast amounts of energy experimenting with various techniques. Some work, others would work (if someone else performed them...).
Here’s one method that I prefer because, well, I have little command of carpenter-ic common sense, a weak grasp on thinking and planning ahead, and little patience for crafting fine notches that snugly, custom-fit a randomly-contoured stone blade.
It all begins with The Stick. I chose a hank of Big Leaf Maple because it is soft and therefore easier to split with stone age tools.
More @ Stone Age Skills
A small bit of sand stone or a scrap of wet leather with sand on it work better than horsetail. Splitting your haft to affix the blade weakens the haft , grinding a notch in the haft takes longer but is MUCH stronger. Glue from Pine pitch , dried dung, and blood, is stronger and waterproof . Tendon is FAR stronger than most vegetable fibers for binding cordage. Wrap it wet & VERY tight, and it shrinks as it dry's , then seal and glue , with pitch glue, you'll snap the stone blades before they come lose. Carve your hafts from seasoned hardwoods & finish them well , your ancestors did it that way. Stone tools are labor intensive , might as well make them look like you care. I have always been dismayed by palio-toolmakers who want their crafts to look like a Flintstones cartoon as all the surviving examples (admittedly few) were high art. The VERY best the craftsperson could make. ---Ray
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