Post by Ahaw on Mar 22nd, 2012 at 11:07am
Hi all,
While seeking some infos on the web about Atlatl/Woomera I found out about another weapon that is halfway between these and the sling.
Since this type of weapon has been mostly found in French archaeological sites, it is called by a French name : Bāton de Commandement, or Perforated Baton.
It is a small sized Atlatl (around 20cm... I let you do the convertion in inches, let's reverse the roles for once, hehe) with a handle and a larger head with a hole in it.
From what I understood, it is not proven that it was used as an atlatl-type weapon... but this guy Ehkahk made a replica with a bit of rope and it does apparently work well.
Ehkahk's version only has a small hole in it... but with a bigger hole like the one below, you can pass the spear through it in order to straighten it easily without using your teeth or legs.
The rope is rolled around the spear, giving it a spinning movement in the air... that might be the reason why Ehkahk says he doesn't need to fletch his spears/darts.
Conclusion : a very light and small weapon, multitool (spear straightener, could be used to make fire as Australian Aborigines did with their hardwood boomerangs, as a head-crusher, shovel, plate or even a bull-roarer), with some multi-purpose string on it too.
No need to bother carrying your spears too as you apparently just need to chop and point a thin trunk or bamboo and there you go !
... I'll definitively try to make one !
And I've also found this text which seems awesome (but in French) : Da Vinci's spear-throwers !
Cheers !
Edit : found out that DavidMorningstar already mentionned it & Paleoarts actually made one :
Please tell us more !
Edit 2 : Loving to combine different utilities in one same object, I've just tied a paracord rope to the handle of my camp knife.
When it's fixed in its sheath, the knife becomes a "bāton de commandement".
Been trying to throw a small diameter pvc pipe with it (only thing approx similar to a spear I had right now).
It works... but no power at all.
I'm guessing the pvc ain't a good spear... and maybe the paracord is too long as well.
In the next days, I'll try with some straight piece of wood and bamboo, and different sizes of cord.
While seeking some infos on the web about Atlatl/Woomera I found out about another weapon that is halfway between these and the sling.
Since this type of weapon has been mostly found in French archaeological sites, it is called by a French name : Bāton de Commandement, or Perforated Baton.
It is a small sized Atlatl (around 20cm... I let you do the convertion in inches, let's reverse the roles for once, hehe) with a handle and a larger head with a hole in it.
From what I understood, it is not proven that it was used as an atlatl-type weapon... but this guy Ehkahk made a replica with a bit of rope and it does apparently work well.
Ehkahk's version only has a small hole in it... but with a bigger hole like the one below, you can pass the spear through it in order to straighten it easily without using your teeth or legs.
The rope is rolled around the spear, giving it a spinning movement in the air... that might be the reason why Ehkahk says he doesn't need to fletch his spears/darts.
Conclusion : a very light and small weapon, multitool (spear straightener, could be used to make fire as Australian Aborigines did with their hardwood boomerangs, as a head-crusher, shovel, plate or even a bull-roarer), with some multi-purpose string on it too.
No need to bother carrying your spears too as you apparently just need to chop and point a thin trunk or bamboo and there you go !
... I'll definitively try to make one !
And I've also found this text which seems awesome (but in French) : Da Vinci's spear-throwers !
Cheers !
Edit : found out that DavidMorningstar already mentionned it & Paleoarts actually made one :
Please tell us more !
Edit 2 : Loving to combine different utilities in one same object, I've just tied a paracord rope to the handle of my camp knife.
When it's fixed in its sheath, the knife becomes a "bāton de commandement".
Been trying to throw a small diameter pvc pipe with it (only thing approx similar to a spear I had right now).
It works... but no power at all.
I'm guessing the pvc ain't a good spear... and maybe the paracord is too long as well.
In the next days, I'll try with some straight piece of wood and bamboo, and different sizes of cord.
