Atlatl

[durulz]

I went on a bow making course a couple of weeks ago. As well as having some impressive looking bows there, they also had an atlatl/spear thrower.
It was easy to use, but difficult to master. Anyway, I thought I'd make one of my own.
And here it is:

(I've been having problems linking to Flickr, so not sure if the picture will come up)
It's made from yew with an antler nock held in place with a piece of dowel, and leather wrapped around the handle. The decorations were burnt-in to give it a primitive look.
These things are dead easy to make and provide great fun - really impressive to see how simple they work. You can lob an arrow/spear as far as a bow can shoot. But doing it accurately is the real mastery.

Mmm...picture still not coming up. Any idea why that might be? Could it be related to the recent server problems? I was having trouble linking to images just before it all went Pete Tong. Mmm, how frustrating.

 

[Cromm]

Cool I like it.
I've made two or three I will try and post pics of them.
Like all things you have to spend some time on working out how to throw them right.
Thanks for your time.

 

[Asa Samuel]

There you go, if you go onto flickr and right click on the image itself and then click "copy image URL" then wrap that in the usual

that seems to work

 

[Petey]

I'm interested to see the design of the spears you will use with this...

 

[durulz]

The spears are more like large arrows.
Between 3 and 4 feet long, complete with flights. The only important thing is that there is no nock - the end of the arrow has a concave depression on the end where it sits on the atlatl. A very simple design.

 

[superc0ntra]

I made my spears from 5ft long half inch bamboo. Added metal tip and fletching (worked OK w/o fletching as well).
Now I just need a lot more practice.

 

[durulz]

...Added metal tip...

What did you use for the tip? I can't make up my mind what to use.

 

[Doc]

Good thread.

I guess the atlatl became obsolete in cultures that developed the bow, though IIRC Australian native peoples only used the atlatl or woomera.

I think the atlatl is a much neglected art and would like to learn more. Could be good project at a meet.

 

[Seoras]

I love it.

Making one is an art.

Using one correctly is an art in itself.

Hitting the target consistantly is an art I would like to master eventually.

Keep at it as you have made a cracking atlatl. Make up some flint tipped darts to go with it.

Cheers

George