I've been working on an atlatl for a young woman. The throwing board is a former ash bow stave, that broke (too much shaving near the handle), with a soapstone weight, and soapstone spur.
The darts have not been made yet, but I plan to use wild turkey feathers, and ash and willow for the dart shafts.
What is left, is to get the dartheads. The girl, plans to use the atlatl often, for SCA programs, and archery competitions. She's also curious about hunting with them. This all tells me that stone points, although beautiful, wouldn't last a week with her! At first I planned to make them out of bone, seeing them as still primitive, and a little bit more durable than flint or obsidian if it hit a log or rock. But weight is an issue there, being lighter than I'd like, and they are still fairly fragile.
My only true option, is metal. I've looked at the Field Points for atlatls, shown on http://www.primitiveways.com/field_points_for_atlatl.html and I agree that they look durable, and easy to make. But I wish for a more traditional look for her atlatl. Copper plumbing pieces just don't say "purist" to me.
I've gotten in touch with a blacksmith I've worked with in the past. He's made tomahawks, steel strikers, everything I can think of for traditional blacksmithing. He's agreed to make the heads for a reasonable price, as long as I supply him with the design.
I was wondering if anyone in the group had any suggestions for size, shape, or anything else. I've only thought of three options thus far;
1) Capped dartheads, like the arrowheads on Ragweed Forge http://www.ragweedforge.com/s57.jpg but bigger and longer heads
2) tanged and long, like a small mill file ground and tempered.
3) heavy steel heads, with notches, like stone points.
Any criticism on these ideas, or any other ideas?
I was thinking of emailing the Society of Primitive Technology, but I trust your opinions greatly!
Thanks, Oz.
The darts have not been made yet, but I plan to use wild turkey feathers, and ash and willow for the dart shafts.
What is left, is to get the dartheads. The girl, plans to use the atlatl often, for SCA programs, and archery competitions. She's also curious about hunting with them. This all tells me that stone points, although beautiful, wouldn't last a week with her! At first I planned to make them out of bone, seeing them as still primitive, and a little bit more durable than flint or obsidian if it hit a log or rock. But weight is an issue there, being lighter than I'd like, and they are still fairly fragile.
My only true option, is metal. I've looked at the Field Points for atlatls, shown on http://www.primitiveways.com/field_points_for_atlatl.html and I agree that they look durable, and easy to make. But I wish for a more traditional look for her atlatl. Copper plumbing pieces just don't say "purist" to me.
I've gotten in touch with a blacksmith I've worked with in the past. He's made tomahawks, steel strikers, everything I can think of for traditional blacksmithing. He's agreed to make the heads for a reasonable price, as long as I supply him with the design.
I was wondering if anyone in the group had any suggestions for size, shape, or anything else. I've only thought of three options thus far;
1) Capped dartheads, like the arrowheads on Ragweed Forge http://www.ragweedforge.com/s57.jpg but bigger and longer heads
2) tanged and long, like a small mill file ground and tempered.
3) heavy steel heads, with notches, like stone points.
Any criticism on these ideas, or any other ideas?
I was thinking of emailing the Society of Primitive Technology, but I trust your opinions greatly!
Thanks, Oz.
