Photo Phriday 130 - Atlatls
#8114844
04/05/24 09:32 AM
04/05/24 09:32 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,848 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
OP
"On The Other Hand"
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OP
"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,848
Idaho, Lemhi County
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The way I understand it, atlatls were in use for hunting and probably for defense long before bow and arrow technology came about. In fact, there is archaelogical evidence that atlatl use was as old as 17,500 years ago. I had an archaelogical "expert" tell me many years ago, that the intermediate points in size were not spear or arrow points, but undoubtedly were very old (greater than 5000 years old) and were atlatl points. On our driveway and throughout our property, there are 1000's of chips of black obsidian from more recent times and a few arrowheads, but we also have found these much older atlatl points. Here are a couple of atlatl points that we've found in the garden. Here are a couple of rocks (raw material) of chert and obsidian that were made into more modern arrow points. The atlatl points above, as I understand it, are much older. There are probably people on this forum that are a whole lot more knowledgeable than I am on this subject. I hope they chime in to better educate me and others.
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Re: Photo Phriday 130 - Atlatls
[Re: Gulo]
#8114851
04/05/24 09:40 AM
04/05/24 09:40 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,889 South Ga - Almost Florida
Swamp Wolf
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,889
South Ga - Almost Florida
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You are correct with your atlatl history. Use varies regionally, but atlatls were in use thousands of years b4 archery and continued to be utilized up to and after European contact.
Thank God For Your Blessings! Never Half-Arse Anything!
Resource Protection Service
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Re: Photo Phriday 130 - Atlatls
[Re: Gulo]
#8114855
04/05/24 09:54 AM
04/05/24 09:54 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,848 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
OP
"On The Other Hand"
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OP
"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,848
Idaho, Lemhi County
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Thanks Swamp Wolf and k snow. You guys are obviously much more educated than I on atlatls.
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Re: Photo Phriday 130 - Atlatls
[Re: Gulo]
#8114856
04/05/24 09:56 AM
04/05/24 09:56 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,972 east central WI
k snow
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,972
east central WI
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Thanks Swamp Wolf and k snow. You guys are obviously much more educated than I on atlatls. There is a World Atlatl Association. Several active members here in WI. World Atlatl Association
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Re: Photo Phriday 130 - Atlatls
[Re: Gulo]
#8114869
04/05/24 10:11 AM
04/05/24 10:11 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,387 Wisconsin
RdFx
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,387
Wisconsin
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Awhile back someone on this forum posted a picture of deer that young son harvested witha atlatl
RdFx
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Re: Photo Phriday 130 - Atlatls
[Re: Gulo]
#8114901
04/05/24 10:54 AM
04/05/24 10:54 AM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,965 Mn
nightlife
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,965
Mn
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An atlatl is to a bow and arrow what a 458 win mag is to a 308, my opinion anyways
Like said above there fun to play with and it’s amazing just how far and hard you can throw a spear with one, and how accurate you can be with it with some practice, for myself I am decent with one but I know some that are so much better it’s phenomenal
The Aztec’s made heavy use of the atlatl you can see it in a lot of their artwork
�Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks.� ― Robert A. Heinlein
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Re: Photo Phriday 130 - Atlatls
[Re: Gulo]
#8114922
04/05/24 11:50 AM
04/05/24 11:50 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,200 The Hill Country of Texas
Leftlane
"HOSS"
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"HOSS"
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,200
The Hill Country of Texas
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I've read a lot about them but the only guu I have seen use one is Matt Graham. You wouldn't want him aiming for you he is good with the thing.
“What’s good for me may not be good for the weak minded.” Captain Gus McCrae- Texas Rangers
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Re: Photo Phriday 130 - Atlatls
[Re: Cattrapper77]
#8114968
04/05/24 01:23 PM
04/05/24 01:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 16,774 ny
upstateNY
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 16,774
ny
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A couple modern atlatl and Dalton blade. I like that top one that they added weight to it for more power and maybe better balance..Never seen one like that before.
the wheels of the gods turn very slowly
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Re: Photo Phriday 130 - Atlatls
[Re: Cattrapper77]
#8115046
04/05/24 04:13 PM
04/05/24 04:13 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 16,774 ny
upstateNY
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trapper
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Posts: 16,774
ny
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Upstate, I personally made that atlatl and it was fashioned after one I seen years ago. I'm sure there are alot of theories on the use of atlatl weights. Balance, power and silencing properties are few I have heard of. Very nice! What is it made of,,and what do you use for the dart/spear?
the wheels of the gods turn very slowly
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Re: Photo Phriday 130 - Atlatls
[Re: Gulo]
#8115053
04/05/24 04:32 PM
04/05/24 04:32 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,661 Oregon
beaverpeeler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,661
Oregon
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I remember reading some time ago about an atlatl interest group. They supposedly had some guys that could puncture a hay bale from a football field length away.
My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
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Re: Photo Phriday 130 - Atlatls
[Re: beaverpeeler]
#8115062
04/05/24 04:48 PM
04/05/24 04:48 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,965 Mn
nightlife
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,965
Mn
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I remember reading some time ago about an atlatl interest group. They supposedly had some guys that could puncture a hay bale from a football field length away. Years ago before you could go on places like Amazon and buy them there were already groups throwing them, I remember going to one of those throws back 89/90 or so and the final round they were throwing at old duck decoys from a hundred yards away and regularly hitting them as well, it was amazing to see and is what got me interested in it which really picked up when it became so easy to just buy what you want because my crafting skills suck By the way some form of Atatl is found around the world from those used by the Australia aborigines to the head hunters of New Guinea or native hunters in various parts of Africa ect just like bows the form might change to meet local materials and usage but its there just like bows makes you wonder especially when you look at some of the isolated places and think did it come from outside or was it some spark of inspiration
�Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks.� ― Robert A. Heinlein
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Re: Photo Phriday 130 - Atlatls
[Re: upstateNY]
#8115123
04/05/24 06:09 PM
04/05/24 06:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 235 OKLAHOMA
Cattrapper77
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Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 235
OKLAHOMA
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Upstate, I personally made that atlatl and it was fashioned after one I seen years ago. I'm sure there are alot of theories on the use of atlatl weights. Balance, power and silencing properties are few I have heard of. Very nice! What is it made of,,and what do you use for the dart/spear? Upstate the handle is made of persimmon wood and the spur is made from deer antler. I used a slate type stone for the weight didnt do anything fancy just a couple grooves for attachment to the handle. I use river cane for the atlatl dart. Deer antler tips foreshafted in the ends just for practice.
Last edited by Cattrapper77; 04/05/24 07:11 PM.
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Re: Photo Phriday 130 - Atlatls
[Re: Gulo]
#8115232
04/05/24 08:51 PM
04/05/24 08:51 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,670 Oregon 66
bfflobo
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Oregon 66
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As I understand the mechanics of the throwing handle and the weight: The handle is flexible in various amounts. The weight added makes the handle flex more when swung forward with the combination of the weight of the dart and also the speed in which the flex returns it's power into the dart . The weight is moved up or down to get it tuned for the most flex and power. Each piece of wood is different in thickness and flex, therefore tuning was an art. A well tuned handle would increase speed and accuracy with less effort. Never used one, but have found points and seen weights.
Last edited by bfflobo; 04/05/24 08:59 PM.
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