How to Make a Spear Out of a Hardware Store Dowel

Lengths of hardwood dowel are available from many home improvement and hardware stores. Used for a variety of crafts and home projects, a hardwood dowel is used by some people in the outdoors as a hiking staff. A 2 inch or larger diameter dowel provides added stability on rough terrain. A dowel staff can also be converted into a spear for use in an emergency or survival situation.

Things You'll Need

  • Fixed blade knife
  • 550 para cord
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Instructions

  1. Attach Knife to Dowel

    • 1

      Hold a fixed blade knife along the end of a dowel. Position the knife so it is parallel to the dowel and the base of the blade is even with the end of the dowel.

    • 2

      Insert a length of 550 para cord through the lanyard hole in the knife handle.

    • 3

      Wrap the para cord around the knife handle and dowel. Keep the wraps tight to secure the knife to the dowel.

    • 4

      Tie the cord off with a square knot to secure the knife in place.

    Sharpen Dowel

    • 5

      Hold the dowel so one end is accessible. Hold the dowel with a firm grip.

    • 6

      Sharpen the end of the dowel with a knife. Remove wood from the end of the dowel with the knife blade to begin forming a point.

    • 7

      Taper the dowel 4 inches from the end down to the sharp point. Smooth the dowel as much as possible along the taper to make the spear point more effective.