How to Make Atlatl Darts

Originating in Europe more than 30,000 years ago, the atlatl was used for hunting and combat long before the bow and arrow. The atlatl is a spear- or dart-throwing device that gives the thrower an arm extension which imparts greater kinetic energy to the projectile. This enables the spear or dart to fly twice as far than if it were thrown by hand. Tribes who implemented the atlatl in warfare were far superior than their spear-throwing or obsidian axe-wielding counterparts. Atlatl darts can be made in the same way today as they were thousands of years ago.

Things You'll Need

  • River cane, bamboo or willow
  • Sharp knife
  • Fire pit or propane burner
  • Sandpaper
  • Turkey feathers
  • Horn and hoof glue
  • Sinew or thread
  • Obsidian, chert or flint
  • Rawhide or leather
  • Hard, round river rock
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Instructions

  1. Making the Shaft

    • 1

      Use a sharp knife to cut a river cane, bamboo or willow shaft between 4 and 7 feet long and with a 1-inch diameter.

    • 2

      Inspect the wood shaft for any bends. Wave the wood over a fire pit or propane burner. Heat the entire length of the wood shaft. Bend the wood back as straight as possible at any curved areas. Heat and bend until the wood is straight, then allow to cool and set straight.

    • 3

      Whittle off or sand down any burrs or rough areas along the wood shaft to make it as smooth as possible.

    • 4

      Cut a 1.5-inch-deep notch into one end of the wood shaft. Make the notch about 1/4 inch wide. This will be used to attach the projectile point.

    • 5

      Split two turkey feathers down the feather spline using a sharp knife. Choose feathers that are as many inches long as the shaft is long in feet; for example, for a 4-foot dart, use a 4-inch feather. You will need three feather halves.

    • 6

      Apply horn and hoof glue evenly on the wood shaft in an area the length of your feathers. Start the glue 6 inches from the shaft's base end.

    • 7

      Attach three feather halves to the glue on the wood shaft. Space the feather halves evenly around the shaft diameter. Wrap sinew or thread tightly around the wood shaft and the front feather spline tips on the side closest to the notch you made, then tie in place and cut the excess thread. Allow the fletching to dry for 24 hours.

    Knapping and Securing the Projectile

    • 8

      Drape a piece of leather or rawhide over your non-dominant hand, and place obsidian, chert or flint into the palm. Strike the stone along the edge repeatedly with a hard, round stone such as a river rock. Work down along the sides, striking until you've achieved a triangular shape, or a spear-like projectile point.

    • 9

      Continue flaking off material with the round rock, flipping the stone over and repeating until you've created a sharp edge on both sides of the stone. Ensure the width of the stone is roughly 1/4 inch at the base.

    • 10

      Apply horn and hoof glue into the notch. Slide the projectile point into the notch you made earlier. Ensure the stone is centered on the shaft.

    • 11

      Wrap the projectile base and shaft tip with sinew or thread tightly, then tie and cut off the excess. Allow 24 hours for the glue to set.