Ethan's Atladl Challenge Discussion Thread

Alright, so who's doing this. Mine's coming along. I gotta knap my stone a little better for the dart tip and glue on some fletchings. Mostly done but waited till the last minute. This is really something I've never done before and have no idea if it's gonna fly.



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page 4 is mine
 
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I've waited till the last minute on mine too. I'm mostly done, but I need to attach the fletchings and dress it up. Also, I need to figure out the tip...I could not find a hollow piece for my arrow.
 
Hey guys, I have some advice for those making atlatls. I notice that a few have very thick and short darts. If you have never thrown one before you want a dart a minimum of 5 ft long and up to 7ft is common. Also, an atlatl dart is flexed during the throw so it needs to be thin and flexible enough to flex under arm strength with the thrower. The shorter the dart is the thinner it must be to flex properly. This slow motion video demonstrates this pretty well.

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Please don't take this as criticism. I just want everyone who makes one to be successful because this stuff really does work and atlatls are really fun to play with.
 
Md 25v said:
Hey guys, I have some advice for those making atlatls. I notice that a few have very thick and short darts. If you have never thrown one before you want a dart a minimum of 5 ft long and up to 7ft is common. Also, an atlatl dart is flexed during the throw so it needs to be thin and flexible enough to flex under arm strength with the thrower. The shorter the dart is the thinner it must be to flex properly. This slow motion video demonstrates this pretty well.


Please don't take this as criticism. I just want everyone who makes one to be successful because this stuff really does work and atlatls are really fun to play with.
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I am not in this contest, but a while back I saw Dave Canterburry make a variation of a swiss arrow. I have recently bought an ESEE AH1, and plan on making one out of the natural materials (well accept the arrowhead of course). Bit shorter that an Atlatl, but it may be easier to get closer to game, and ambush with.

[video=youtube;uCyKrQDFA28]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCyKrQDFA28&feature=fvwrel[/video]
 
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Yeah, I didn't realize it was pretty much over when I posted. I've been away for a while and today is the first time I have been back so I thought I would try to help out.
 
Md 25v said:
Yeah, I didn't realize it was pretty much over when I posted. I've been away for a while and today is the first time I have been back so I thought I would try to help out.
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Yeah man, that's the way I took it. What ends up being turned in tonight by me, would probably not be what I would turn in if I had it to do over again. I've learned a bunch, though and all of your post have done nothing but help.
 
Thanks, I love these "primitive" toys and I really love it when other people make them for the first time and they work. I helped a friend of mine make his first atlatl last year and stood 70 yards away and he was hitting withing 5-8ft of me, the video is on my YouTube channel. (I was behind plexiglass)
 
Md 25v said:
Thanks, I love these "primitive" toys and I really love it when other people make them for the first time and they work. I helped a friend of mine make his first atlatl last year and stood 70 yards away and he was hitting withing 5-8ft of me, the video is on my YouTube channel. (I was behind plexiglass)
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I was just kidding earlier, I really appreciated all of you resource as they helped me to design my set. Thank you md25v
 
Here' some really short videos of my throwing attempts. On the fourth throw I hit and damaged the fence(pics included).
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[youtube]REKIWU3hg_w[/youtube]
front side of fence (seeing daylight)
CIMG2947.jpg

back side view
CIMG2945.jpg
 
Slapper- THAT WAS AWESOME!!! If that was your first atlatl it flew great, very flexible shaft and well spined for your strength, excellent job all around.
 
Md 25v said:
Slapper- THAT WAS AWESOME!!! If that was your first atlatl it flew great, very flexible shaft and well spined for your strength, excellent job all around.
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Thanks, that is definately my first atlatl.I kinda want to make another one now, possibly a little longer. I learned a lot from this, and was surprised at the power of the atlatl.
 
Power is what the atlatl is all about. The dart usually weighs more than 1200 grains and, although it flies much slower than a bow-cast arrow, the extra mass gives the atlatl dart greater penetration. It is harder to throw an atlatl as accurately as a bow casts an arrow but it can be done. Tom Mills of Paleoplanet and guys like "Atlatl Bob" are more than capable of hitting a paper plate (kill zone on a deer) and smaller targets out to 30 yards easily.
 
Yeah, I have a pretty good idea of how it will go down. I put me down for an easy 4th, but I'm curious about the others nonetheless.
 
sqoon said:
Yeah, I have a pretty good idea of how it will go down. I put me down for an easy 4th, but I'm curious about the others nonetheless.
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Dude, I have you down for 1st or 2nd. Mine totally looks like my 3 year old made it. I'm gonna get the, "Nice try little boy, come back when your a man" semi honorable mention. In general my shit's broke, I can't not do these challenges though.
 
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