Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Cave Men only "Oooga Booga" => Topic started by: Jacob1 on September 08, 2020, 05:56:50 pm

Title: Atlatl I made
Post by: Jacob1 on September 08, 2020, 05:56:50 pm
The main body is red oak spur is ziricote and leather loops are just random scraps I had any constructive criticism is appreciated .
Title: Re: Atlatl I made
Post by: Pat B on September 08, 2020, 07:25:06 pm
That's nice. Will you post a pic of the spur and the loops?
Title: Re: Atlatl I made
Post by: Hawkdancer on September 08, 2020, 11:49:49 pm
Nice work!  That should cast a dart pretty well!  Some close ups would be cool!
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Atlatl I made
Post by: Jacob1 on September 10, 2020, 05:55:27 pm
Here it is
Title: Re: Atlatl I made
Post by: Jacob1 on September 10, 2020, 05:57:49 pm
Sorry keeps messing up
Title: Re: Atlatl I made
Post by: willie on September 10, 2020, 08:14:53 pm
nice work. I haven't tried the basketmaker grip, are you throwing very heavy darts?

you should show pics of your darts. how do they fly?
Title: Re: Atlatl I made
Post by: Jacob1 on September 11, 2020, 07:44:14 am
There not very heavy they are actually pretty light  it’s just a bamboo garden stake that was more solid than the others like no chunks missing  and I had screw in 100 grain target points for carbon arrows and then duct tape fletching
Title: Re: Atlatl I made
Post by: Jacob1 on September 11, 2020, 08:08:34 am
Also just made a basket maker style just cause I looked up atlatl designs and it looked pretty interesting so I made it  (AT)
Title: Re: Atlatl I made
Post by: Hawkdancer on September 11, 2020, 12:30:26 pm
You may want to try a longer, heavier dart, about as long as you are tall, or a bit shorter, and about the diameter of your little finger.  It isn't rocket science, just whatever works!  But throwing is fun and getting good is more fun!  Start close, maybe 7 - 10 yards or so!  I was able to afford more darts as I thought cast, chase, cast, chase was a bit slow!  Hopefully, there will be more time for the throwing and shooting as we get more settled in!  You may need to straighten your darts once n a while, too.
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Atlatl I made
Post by: Jacob1 on September 11, 2020, 02:37:33 pm
They are the same relative height as me also where is a good place to get atlatl dart shafts
Title: Re: Atlatl I made
Post by: willie on September 12, 2020, 08:34:09 pm
If I recall, the basketmaker is for lighter darts like you are throwing if they are as long as you are tall. Some of the target guys like seven foot darts, but I find  six foot work well enough for me. I started throwing with a eskimo spear thrower style and still throw with more of a grip on the thrower than the "flip" you get with the double leather loops. To each there own I guess. Actually, I don't think the throwers matter much, most of your effort should be in tuning the darts.

bamboo garden stakes seem like a pretty good way to go. most of my darts are cut from a 2x4 with a  table saw and tapered with a thumb plane. If you can find some 1/2" OD tubing, it makes good tips.
Title: Re: Atlatl I made
Post by: Jacob1 on September 13, 2020, 09:22:45 am
I used bamboo garden stakes for mine