How To Make An Atlatl (And 3 Tips On How To Throw Them 100+ Yards)
By essentially lengthening the arm, it provides additional leverage to propel a dart much farther and faster than a one-handed throw. The typical atlatl launches a feathered dart that is longer and heavier than an arrow but weighs less than a spear. The unique throwing motion of the atlatl propels the dart much faster than what could be typically achieved.
In the Stone Age, they were used by humans hunting everything from fish and deer to bear and woolly mammoth. A well-made atlatl can throw a dart over 100 yards at speeds of over 100 miles per hour, and can be made easily with materials made in nature. With a little practice, the atlatl is a primitive weapon that everyone should know how to make in a survival situation.
The Aztec word atlatl means “spear-thrower”. It is a primitive weapon used in North America over 10,000 years ago, but reports indicate that native Australians have used this ancient weapon as recently as 50 years ago. Evidence from cave paintings show that atlatls were used on every continent except Antarctica. Before the bow and arrow, the atlatl was the primary hunting weapon.
It’s lightweight, simple to make, and powerful enough to penetrate a mammoth’s hide. Instead of carrying around large bulky spears, the world’ first reloadable weapon was created. Over time, the designs have been tweaked depending on what was being hunted, who was hunting with it, and what materials were available to create them from. Regardless of the variations, all atlatls have the same three components: the hook, the shaft, and the grip. If you can picture the Chuckit! It allows you to throw twice as hard with half the effort. A simple atlatl can be made using a tree branch.
Locate a branch approximately 2.5 inches in diameter. Poplar is a great choice because it is lightweight and dry; not sticky like pine. Chop the branch down from the base of the tree. Choose a branch that has a smaller branch protruding at a 40-45 degree angle from end, and chop off a 24-inch length. Length is more of a personal preference, but most people prefer to use one at least the length of their arm. The small branch, or “peg”, will become the section that holds the dart in place when you throw.
The goal is to find a branch that strikes the perfect balance of comfortableness and weight. Too light of a branch will be unstable when you release, and too heavy will be hard to aim. Use your knife to sharpen the small side branch to a point. This is optional, but you can add a wrist loop from your paracord to keep the atlatl from coming out of your hand during release.
The dart is the projectile that the atlatl propels. Think of it as a large arrow, with a large point on the front and fletching (also optional) on the back. Darts can be made out any sticks or branches, but I’ve found the best survival darts are made out of river cane.
Bamboo also works well. Select a straight piece of river cane about a half inch in diameter and 4-5 feet long. Choosing a straight piece ensures it flies in a straight line. If you have chosen a slightly bent river cane, you can apply heat and bend it into place.
Next, you’ll need to make the foreshaft. The foreshaft is a smaller, secondary shaft that you insert into the tip of the mainshaft. This will provide additional strength when it hits the target. Push the foreshaft into the river cane until it hits a joint, and leave about a foot of foreshaft sticking out of the cane. Tie it into place with any plant fibers you can find.
