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Atlatl dart spine and length

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bjrogg:
High desert 🌵 if you look on Clewis post my new Atlatl he names a few you tubers. I think basketmaker was the one I was watching.
Bjrogg

willie:
Brian

there is a way to measure spine where you use a scale to measure how much compression applied to the end of the dart makes it bow out sideways. if you have decent way to measure  in that range, you will see that once a dart starts bowing when compression is applied, any further force does not move the scale much more, it just makes the dart bend more.

5-6 lbs seems about right to me for 10-15 yard target (easy) throws with lighter (approx 3-5 oz) darts. I have found that heavier stiffer darts in the 8-9 lb range work better for stronger throws.

there is some variability with tapered vs untapered darts, the length of the thrower used and of course, personal throwing style and just as with an arrow, a heavier point changes the dynamic spine also.

bjrogg:
Thanks Willie, if I remember right it was basketmaker I was watching and he said the name of style of spine test. It's very possible the same method you are suggesting.
Bjrogg

High-Desert:
When I throw too hard the dart shoots really low. From what I've read that means too limber. I'll watch some of those videos and see, as well as experiment with shorter darts and see how well they work. Thanks for everyone's help. I thought this stuff was supposed to be so easy because cave men did it, but apparently they knew a lot more than I.

Red Arrow:
I've seen darts from 5'-6' or so in length but from what I've read and been told, the length depends on their purpose. Longer darts will fly further, shorter darts may be more acurate at closer ranges. You can also make shorter primary shafts with seperate foreshafts which can be connected to them by use of a sleeve type nock, especially with bamboo darts. Each foreshaft can be specialized for a specific purpose: hunting point, target point, blunt point, etc.). This allows you to carry a few primary shafts and multiple foreshafts when on the trail or hunting. Plus, if the points or foreshaft get broke you only need to replace it; you don't have to make new primary shafts with correct spine.

As for red osier or other wood darts, I'd say cut them to length based on balance point and good spine.

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