Branch Atlatl

Today I roughed out a new atlatl made from a branch. I'm not making the same mistake I made last time by making it too short. If anything, it's a bit too long. I'm using green wood this time. I'm not sure what kind because it is a branch I found on a walk one day. I thought it might come in useful someday so I propped it up against my house. I'm making it on the bow bench, which I didn't have last time I tried to make one. I'm not using any power tools. I'm using a drawknife, a Shinto rasp, and a scraper.

But it is pretty hot today, so I put it away until tomorrow. I'll work on it at an archery event we are vending at tomorrow. We still have to load half the truck, and then get an early start in the morning. But I'm getting a headache from the heat, so now I'm sitting inside sipping iced tea.

Photos From Chamberlain Ranch Archery Shoot 2013

The Chamberlain Ranch 3D Traditional Archery shoot was great fun and perfect weather. We sat across from two knappers so that was entertaining. During the raffle though, the wind picked up and blew Joe's entire table cloth and inventory off his table. It sounded like chimes as those arrowheads hit the ground. I hope he didn't have too much damage.

Badger was busy making bows and gifted us both with incredible osage bows. I need to put a shelf on mine and beef up the serving string so my arrows will fit. In fact, I need to make all new arrows.

The clout shoot was very popular and at $1.00 per arrow, I'm sure it was a great fundraiser for the charity event.

We had our Greenman Archery booth set up and did very well this year. Guy is going to be busy making a bunch of custom arrows. He made some great trades as well. 

Badger scraping on a bow.

Oak tree on Chamberlain Ranch near Los Olivos, CA

Clout Shoot

Quiver

Ralph knapping

Richard and Gary discuss making bows.

Paleoplanet Meeting This Sunday

We should have some great weather for this Sunday's meeting. We got a bit of rain mid week so that should green things up out there, wash the dust off the trees, and make everything more beautiful than it already is. So bring your bows out to build, or bring your flintknapping tool bucket, or your beads to sew onto your quiver. Come prepared with tools and questions. We do have a loaner tool bucket in blue, because no one can anticipate every tool they might need. Or if you have old tools you wouldn't mind adding to the bucket you can do that too. Label your stuff because at the end of the day we always end up with a few leftover tools or wood and no one knows who it belongs to. See you out there at the Arroyo Seco bridge.