New atlatl set

[Ryan_Gill_HuntPrimitive]

Ive been throwing the atlatl a lot lately and decided that I needed a good set. I made a bendy thrower from Osage and made some animal carvings on it for fun!  Got 3 (two pictured ) cane darts ready and flying. Also working up a good set of FL chert percussion atlatl points.... I am throwing hard and pretty good at about 12 yards.. not "good enough" yet but I am getting closer every day I throw.  Yes I most definitely plan on trying to make a kill with it.

[bowtarist]

NICE, I like it Man! dp

[Blackcoyote]

Nice work, looks awesome!

[bubby]

fun aint they, I built one then traded ifrit for a real nice on and some darts, almost got a bird in fight thanksgiving

[Adam]

Wow, I really like that carving!  You've got the primitive look down for sure.

[Thesquirrelslinger]

How big in diameter are them darts?
Nice job!

[Ryan_Gill_HuntPrimitive]

thanks guys

the darts are about 6 1/2' long. natural cane so the diameter tapers quite a bit. thickest part is my 9/16 or so. nock end is much the same thickness off a 60# spine arrow. point ends have Sparkleberry foreshafts and taper one down to 3/8  +/-

[TRACY]

Very nice tool set. I was just at the history museum in Chicago and took several photos of a few set ups on display to maybe recreate. Looks like a lot of fun


Tracy

[Josh B]

Nicely done sir!  I use a similar style atlatl.  I'm not very good with it, but it sure is fun!  Josh

[Buffalogobbler]

Awesome!
I love the carvings!
Some day I hope to make one and learn to use it, Good luck hunting with it.

Kevin

[DuBois]

Man, I had to look Can't even make bows good yet and now I want one of these! Thanks a lot TL 

[bluejay]

what purpose does the weight on the thrower serve?

[Ryan_Gill_HuntPrimitive]

it gives more momentum to the throw. you can adjust it up or down to what feels best, once you get used to having that extra umph, trying to throw without it feels like you are throwing a paper airplane.

[YosemiteBen]

Banner stones - Those critters have been topics of discussion for some time. Not all atlatls had them and they varied quite a bit in appearance and still today carry a little dispute amongst those of us here on PA.  Some say that it does add extra oomph to the throw and others say it makes no difference in their ability than one without. 

My impression is that it acts like a stabilizer. Let me try to explain. If you have ever gone canoeing and put the blade fully into the water and tried to paddle the paddle wobbles like crazy. This is because you are trying to push a column of water as big as the head of the paddle and at about 60lbs to the cubic foot that is a lot of weight you are trying to push with a relatively little stick. With the dart being 1 to 2 thirds longer than the atlatl that is a bit of weight that you  are trying to push with a small stick and the same forces come into play. Therefore, some might reply that the banner stone is a sort of ballast as opposed to oomph adder.

Just my 1.5 cents(after taxes). Ben

[Carson (CMB)]

Very cool.  As for the discussion of the weight.  i tried to thow a hunting arrow today like it was a spear.  The pain in my shoulder reminded me that trying to throw a 600grain arrow is like dry-firing a bow, it hurts the limbs.    Maybe that applies here.