Home-made harpoon

Blue Sky

Blue Sky

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Jun 16, 2002
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I didn't want to usurp Pitdog's "Mini Harpoon" thread, but since there seemed to be an interest in harpoons in general I thought folks might like to see this thread at another forum:

Harpoon

You could probably make one from plain flat stock and it would be just as effective. A spade point on the end might let it drill itself into the shaft. . .
 
Blue Sky said:
I didn't want to usurp Pitdog's "Mini Harpoon" thread, but since there seemed to be an interest in harpoons in general I thought folks might like to see this thread at another forum:

Harpoon

You could probably make one from plain flat stock and it would be just as effective. A spade point on the end might let it drill itself into the shaft. . .
Click to expand...

Absolute pure genius. I'm off the the hardware store!
 
ah this is great. i am inspired! i think i will try using flat stock though...
 
Awesome idea!!!
 
Here's my first try. Went down to Hardwick's in Seattle, just about the coolest hardware store on the planet. Anyway, I got a used 3/4" spade bit for $1.25, got it home and went at it with the belt sander. Finished, it is 5-3/4" long and 1.1 ounce. This is such a great idea. I love the fine art of Applied Junque. The lil' sucker is sharp too :D

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fpoon2.jpg

fpoon3.jpg



I need to get a couple worm-gear stainless hose clamps. I think that is the way to attach one of these things and keep it secure.
 
Am I missing something... why not put the hole much further back along the shaft?
 
Running to the garage to get one right now. I'll see how it turns out tomorrow with my dremel :).
 
do you think you could attach this to a sling spear like you use under water for fish. also if anyones knows of sling spears can you use them above water for small game?
 
CanDo said:
Am I missing something... why not put the hole much further back along the shaft?
Click to expand...


Heheh-- the hole is part of the original spade drill bit-- to hang it on a nail.

If you were hunting large fish or sea mammals, it might be a good idea to have a harpoon that leaves the head in and has a line on it, but for small stuff, I would rather lash it down tight. Even this one is too big for trout, but it would be okay for birds like grouse, or rabbits or such. You could fish around in a burrow with it on a stick-- hoping you don't find a skunk. It has some defense value against something like a cougar--- I would like something bigger. I'm sure a couple jabs with this one would persuade a big kitty to get lost.

The appeal of this rig is the cleverness, the low cost, and the ease of making one. Heck for a buck and a quarter, a sanding belt and less than 1/2 hour, why not?
 
DaleW said:
Heheh-- the hole is part of the original spade drill bit-- to hang it on a nail.

If you were hunting large fish or sea mammals, it might be a good idea to have a harpoon that leaves the head in has a line on it, but for small stuff, I would rather lash it down tight. Even this one is too big for trout, but it would be okay for birds like grouse, or rabbits or such. You could fish around in a burrow with it on a stick-- hoping you don't find a skunk. It has some defense value against something like a cougar--- I would like something bigger. I'm sure a couple jabs with this one would persuade a big kitty to get lost.

The appeal of this rig is the cleverness, the low cost, and the ease of making one. Heck for a buck and a quarter, a sanding belt and less than 1/2 hour, why not?
Click to expand...

Haha, alright. I was actually referring to one from the link... looks like you did a very nice job.
 
Best thread of the year. Fricken genius. I am bursting to try this with some spade bit. What size are you guys going to do? I'm thinking 1" or bigger. Wish I knew how to post pics.
 
Erasmus said:
Best thread of the year. Fricken genius. I am bursting to try this with some spade bit. What size are you guys going to do? I'm thinking 1" or bigger. Wish I knew how to post pics.
Click to expand...

3/4" is about as small as I would want to try and get it to balance out with the shaft size. 1" or 1-1/8" should work fine and give you a little room for error. My 3/4" trial is 5/8" after my amateur grinding.
 
beckerhead said:
Pretty neat idea, but I wonder about the hardness if it smacks a few rocks.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't throw one-- it's a jabbing tool. And you're supposed to hit the frog, not the rocks :D I don't think any pointed steel is going to do well with getting bashed into a rock. These spade bits seem soft compared to fancy knife steels. If you dulled the point, it wouldn't take much to re-shape it on a smooth stone.

I agree with the writer who mentioned making wood points-- it is a skill you should have and is really a simple whittling project. I live in the Pacific Northwest and the local museums have many good examples of halibut hooks made form stone and wood. The Native American hand crafts are a graduate course in woodland survival.
 
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