Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: Dalton Knapper on April 10, 2014, 06:42:14 pm

Title: Fish Gig
Post by: Dalton Knapper on April 10, 2014, 06:42:14 pm

Here is a gig I just finished. The spurs are bone and the lashings are hemp. I was wondering what to make the forks from, so I settled on elm, but I think I might have accidentally used an inferior material. It is about 7 feet long in all. I will use this for education at a park that I work for, so I guess it does not matter what material I used or that I didn't protect the hemp with pitch. I may add pitch over the lashings later. Anyway, here it is straight off the showroom floor:

(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss187/benhenry007/FishGig41014_zpsc8b98acd.jpg)

Title: Re: Fish Gig
Post by: YosemiteBen on April 10, 2014, 07:30:16 pm

looks like it aught to work!

Title: Re: Fish Gig
Post by: nclonghunter on April 10, 2014, 07:52:21 pm

I like it...hemp was used to make ropes for battle ships because it is water and rot resistant. So, you may not need to cover the wrapping with anything so it will air dry quicker....just my thoughts

Title: Re: Fish Gig
Post by: Dalton Knapper on April 10, 2014, 09:51:14 pm

Good point NCLONG....

Title: Re: Fish Gig
Post by: bowtarist on April 10, 2014, 10:24:35 pm

Neat! You gonna get to use it? or just show it? I like!! dp

Title: Re: Fish Gig
Post by: Zuma on April 11, 2014, 11:00:42 am

Very cool,
Have you thought about one with more spikes? I like all your angles
Did you drill the spikes in or notch?
Zuma

Title: Re: Fish Gig
Post by: Dalton Knapper on April 11, 2014, 12:27:04 pm

I drilled the spike holes although I have seen several examples where they are tied on in different manners. I thought about more spikes, but I also thought about removing the fish and what the difficulties might be with more spikes. Most native examples seem to be holding the spikes to a minimum with this type gig. I debated about a central spike, but upon seeing Ishi's salmon harpoon, I decided not to include one. I am not sure Ishi's harpoon was actually finished when they photographed him using it. It may have been a true "harpoon" and Ishi didn't have the resources to make the cord and the toggle type harpoon tips, but I digress............

Title: Re: Fish Gig
Post by: Zuma on April 11, 2014, 08:39:25 pm

Dalton.
Digress perhaps with Ishi-
More or less a modern historic, vestage, invention.
 For sure a modern native.
The rise of modern man delt with matters above and beyond Ishi's comprehension
in his day.
Your fish catcher is primevil and elegant. I would love to see it at work.
Zuma

Title: Re: Fish Gig
Post by: swamp yeti on April 12, 2014, 09:42:54 am

I like it,nice work.I believe I am going to make me one.