Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Cave Men only "Oooga Booga" => Topic started by: part Cherokee on January 06, 2010, 11:49:46 am
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Well here goes nothing. This is my first atlatl and i must say im quit proud of it.
This in one fun weapon!!! However dont dismiss the deadliness of this weapon.
I threw a non fletch 6' cane dart 75 yards with this thing and Ive never thrown an atlatl dart in my life.
Now imagine somebody who had nearly been born with one of these in hand. I also threw the same dart(with no point just sharpened stick more less) at about 20 yards missed my target and it penetrated a 1/2 plank thats part of my fence. Can you say force!!
(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa137/slowgo69/document-14-1-1.jpg)
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Thats cool I need to make some new darts for mine, their a blast to throw and I love the strange looks I get from passerbys :)
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How does that work? would love to see a video or something. Looks like you used some of the mule deer antlers. Looks cool.
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I cant post videos sorry. If you get on youtube and search "atlatl" several vids will pop up.
Basiclly just put your index finger through one loop,your thumb through the other loop while your 3 remaining fingers hold on to the handle. Then knock the dart on the far end where the spur is and on the other end hold the dart between your thumb and index finger.
Hey yea the mule deer sheds were great thanks!!! You got anymore?
Matt
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Anyone else made atlatls? Lets see pics guys. Post away!!!!
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no more sheds yet. did see a one antler buck last week, should be able to find some soon.
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nice yes i made one and 3 darts and napped rayolite points and need to haft them up and will post pic's later in the week did you tie the counter wait on.
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That is really impressive looking:)
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The stone is tied/glued on. Thanks guys.
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very cool. looks similar to the three piece artifact from indiana. glad you put this thread up . im in the process of doing some repros for a museum here and its been an interesting journey to learn more about the atlatl. ive always questioned the useful of bannerstones untill i realised it actually quiets them down so you dont have that whip sound when you throw. more to learn, more to do. i'll post pics when im done. peace
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pile 'o' atlatl's from glass buttes knap-in
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on the atlatle its self,the tip the dart sits on.
what kind of angle do you put it on at?
how long should an atlatle itself be and the dart?
i have i nice fat long piece of red osier drying,on my bathrom scale it comes in at about 10# just as it starts to bend.i plan on using it for a dart.
just need to mke the atlatl part now.
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got some switch cane for darts does the heavy end go to the front ??
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Hey sailor my atlatl is 21" ,most of the ones ive seen have been 19"-23" long.
My darts are about 6' in length but i use cane for my darts not red osier.
I have seen darts as short as 4' and as long as 7'6". Play with it and see whats best for you.
The spur angle i used is about 45 degrees and seems to work fine.
Yes the big end of the cane goes first Ken just like on an arrow.
Matt
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thanks matt , working on the pics , and enjoying the bow by the way
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I have tried several different types, but usuallly make pretty simple basketmaker -type atlatls. Haven't done much throwing lately, nned to get back at it. A forked stick makes a pretty efficient atlatl for that matter check out this thread: http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,13190.0.html (http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,13190.0.html)I threw a crooked dart about a hundred yards with the expedient stick atlatl I made.
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heres one i threw together osage and switchcane
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yes i know cane is green , made just for the picture , waiting for them to dry
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Here are some shots of a plush cave atlatl I made for the Xmas trade. It is made of birch, with red ochre for the slot.
This style is really easy to toss with, as the long slot guides the dart to the spur. You dont have to fumble getting ready.
Dane
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(http://www.webjam.com/primitivemichigan/~Photo?id=324ab6c7-b4d7-4d7e-8984-fe48d1850890&width=600)
(http://www.webjam.com/primitivemichigan/~Photo?id=182c844a-8aed-49bd-828c-50e49c19bdf9&width=600)
(http://www.webjam.com/primitivemichigan/~Photo?id=e0e4f1df-f715-4353-a7e6-97708a55ea5d&width=600)
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The ATLATL is one coolest weapons I have ever seen!! I know this may be a stupid question, but could someone give me some information on how to make this in a simple way? It may look very simple, but I gotta try and build one!! Any information would be helpful!!! Or just e-mail it to my address willisburg3@aol.com
Carbinecasey
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heres mine that i made in two minutes when hunting for some cane. it even threw some fresh cane pretty well.
(http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/135/l_5e8549d6c8d54395be7a7ebb9a9e4c8f.jpg)
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Allright guys - never thought I'd be a spear chunker but this is getting pretty interesting. I'm stopping by the cane patch again tomorrow for bigger than arrow size cane..
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I didn't think so either cowboy until I watched a video last Friday. Then it just stuck, and I found me about 10 canes I'm drying out
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One of the nice things about making atlatls is you have a use for what remains of bows that explode :) Seriously, it is really relaxing work compared to making a bow, and there are myriad styles and examples from all over the world you can base your work on. A survival atlatl is as simple as finding the correct branch with a smaller branch to act as the spur, do a few minutes of whittling, and you are in business.
I don’t live in an area that cane grows in naturally (chilly, rocky New England), so I get mine from a local garden store. The cute girl behind the counter probably was wondering why I kept coming back for so much of the long 6’ stakes (he’s really into tomatoes?), so I finally explained that I was making atlatl darts. I got that look. I’m sure you are familiar with it. Her admiration for me as a gardener evaporated, but that is cool, as I am married. :)
Dane
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Hey guys!!
Sorry ive been away for a couple months but i look forward to starting a new atlatl soon. Anybody got pics of new builds?
Matt
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How Cool, I like the ones with the Carved Spurs, easier to load. :)
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i havent built any lately, though ive been making a few darts. once i figure out you can use dowels and splice them together, makes it much easier to make your own!
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i like those things alot. i cant hit much with them, but if a feller was lost or whatever, a sharp pice of anything to do a little cutting with, and you can have a pretty deadly weapon pretty fast and pretty easy. and i love that. ;D
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Good stuff ! I built my first handle awhile back and cant seem to get the darts right...any rule of thumb on how long they should be ?
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just get some at various lengths and see which work best for you. just like an arrow, you can spine them too.
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A few of mine
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and a few more
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these Key Marco atlatls required some interpretation. I found overall length, written description and had some published drawings to refer to but little else. The one with tiger shark teeth is a a 3 in one weapon. It was a spear thrower, war club and saber for slashing. wicked. '
The single hole atlatl has a bobcat with his tail for a spur. ;)
The double hole atlatl requires your fingers only go part way in and you pinch with your thumb and ring finger. odd. I never would have guessed that until I made a replica.