The methods of hafting used by 'primitive' man involved natural materials, which by their very nature resist change contrary to many modern adhesives which deteriorate over the long haul of time. To greatly overstate the case most natural glues are the residues of deciduous and coniferous trees and the glues from animal hide and bones. In the case of deciduous trees I have found black locust, tulip, white ash, wild cherry, apple to secrete a gummy residue, which are water-soluble glues. They are quite sticky and dry to a hard tenacious binding when coupled with fiber wrappings. In addition, when dry they resist water unless they are soaked.

Conifers such as blue spruce, fir, yellow pine, white pine produce a pitchy-resin which is very adhesive and dries to hard and waterproof glue. In order to prepare the conifer type resin glue I begin by collecting hardened lumps from the tree trunk and on the ground after they fall. The lumps are then packed into a tin container and covered with turpentine. The can is then set aside until the whole mass has softened and is more like a thick varnish. The viscous liquid can now be strained and heated but do not allow it to boil. Strain again and store in a clean ceramic pot with a tight fitting cover. The resin is then used in socket and notched hafting conditions and allowed to set over low heat as the turpentine and volatiles evaporate.

The deciduous gums are collected in the same manner by making a small horizontal cut in the above mentioned trees which greatly increases the amount collected. Several trees are cut and the gum collects below the cut. These nodules of gum are placed in a mortar with a small amount of water and ground and mixed to a pasty consistency, a small amount of egg yolk can be added to increase the body and toughness of the glue. The hafting is brushed with the glue as it is wrapped and allowed to dry in a warm location over a fire or in the sun.

The hide and bone glue is made by boiling these items until most of the water has evaporated and the gelatin is released. The contents are cooled and separated from the hard matter. Again the mixture is reduced by slow boiling until the excess water has evaporated. This viscous gelatin glue is put on hot and allowed to cool and dry out over a weeks time when it becomes tough and resistant to water and wear, especially when combined with fibers as binding.

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