Atlatl Made of Wood

When I had my turn at the bow bench yesterday, I worked on my atlatl. It is starting to look like an atlatl now. I still have quite a lot of shaping to do though. I'd love to get it finished in time for the next archery event, which is May 3 and 4. Busy busy. Off to work on it I go.

Making Atlatl Darts

Our Paleoplanet meeting that was supposed to be today got moved to next Sunday because of a schedule conflict at the archery range. Even so I decided to work on my darts instead yesterday. I should work on them more today but I'm a little burned out on the project. It's taking me forever.

Straightening the atlatl darts.

Today I continued on with straightening the atlatl darts that I started yesterday at the Paleoplanet gathering. Usually the cane will start to sweat as it's heated up, and then you can bend it. I noticed it wasn't sweating no matter how long I held it over the Sterno can. Then I realized the last swirl of wind must have blown the flame out, because the can was cold. I figured that was a good time to take a break. My hands are still fatiqued from shaving the tough wood from off of the nodes.

Atlatl darts

I've decided to start making some atlatl equipment so I can join in on the fun. So when we were visiting friends in Silverado yesterday Guy spotted some cane that can work well for the long darts. We got home too late last night to do anything with them, but today I cut off all the excess branches with pruners, and cracked off the dried sheathing as best I could. Then I tied the whole bunch into a bundle to help it to dry more or less straight. I still have a long way to go but at least it's a start.

I've started carving two atlatls in the past. Who knows where they are now. So I need to keep an eye out for them or start a new one.

Atlatl Husband and Wife

David made this little video of Barbara and Ken (the newlyweds) learning to use an atlatl. Enjoy.

Tom is in the background shooting a bow he made.