Hi. I am sure you will like these videos. If you haven't seen them already.

https://youtu.be/tTjulvwUFMI

https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/karli-jalangu-boomerang-today-embers

https://aso.gov.au/titles/documentaries/karli-jalangu-boomerang-today/clip1/

http://ancientpoint.com/imgs/a/c/k/x/m/aboriginal_no_7_boomerang_south_australia_fine_1_lgw.jpg

https://assets.catawiki.nl/assets/2020/10/30/0/f/8/0f8cd69f-72b6-465f-b082-16407a99ca27.jpg

https://ar.happyvalentinesday2020.online/pics/indigenousaustralianshistoryyear.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/3/9/13395430/9187642.jpg

https://d3h6k4kfl8m9p0.cloudfront.net/stories/0YqJpP4kS6y2SyKdw.A2sA.jpg
https://d3h6k4kfl8m9p0.cloudfront.net/stories/aaY-tWN5f6B7tgWTl2F6HQ.jpg
https://d3h6k4kfl8m9p0.cloudfront.net/stories/mec1DBCOePA8em7HXan1wQ.jpg
https://d3h6k4kfl8m9p0.cloudfront.net/stories/Ae8LB-RGRYdXxEyJgANf5A.jpg

I would like to build one. But for me the easiest part is finding a suitable tree. I have been watching everything I have found about this type of boomerang. But I still have serious doubts about the cross section shape, as I haven't seen one directly. I cannot see it clear in photos, even in high quality ones it is extremely dififcult. I only can see somewhat like a lenticular cross section with the lower side flatter. I am wrong for sure but it is what I can see from dozens or even hundreds of pics.

I like that design.  Throwsticks has one like that.  A handmade wooden one would be very cool though!

https://www.throwsticks.com/wirlki
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yusVFoYo3MM

The one from Throwsticks is like you describe.  The bottom side is flat, and the top side is rounded.

joe_meadmaker wrote on Aug 10^th, 2023 at 10:40pm:

The bottom side is flat, and the top side is rounded.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/brng.html

This site shows the cross section of a boomerang. It isn't shown on one with the shape you are looking at specifically, but it should still apply to it to some degree.

There are probably also videos explaining it on youtube.

Hi. Thanks both for your replies. I have seen Throwsticks karlies and they look amazing. Also he shows videos of them being thrown and they reach amazing distances.

But in photos of aboriginal examples I think they aren't completely flat at the bottom.

I have made typical returning boomerangs and they are very easy to make in order they will come back. Actually the difficult task is to make one which flies straight.

I am afraid if I make a wartilykirri/wirlki or a karli with the common plane wing shape as in returning boomerangs, it will be actually a returning boomerang type but with an odd shape. I have seen that a boomerang with almost any shaped, not the typical banana or open V, use to come back if they have a flat under side and a rounded upper side. I really don't want such a weapon that can kill a huge male red kangaroo coming back!!!  ;D.

Actually as throwing sticks are cast horizontally what I think it will happens is what happens with returning boomerangs when you throw it horizontally: They fly low and suddenly they rise towards the right and fall violently hitting the floor and they usually break.

In the first video I posted, the engineer says that the handle tip has a negative angle of attack, the long arm has a plane wing shape, with a rounded top and a flat bottom (the section he copied to place in the wind tunnel) and the zone in the center of mass has a neutral angle of attack. But I really understand nothing! ;D

https://youtu.be/tTjulvwUFMI?t=817

The short blade is more steamlined ; it increases the range but curves the flight. The long blade is less streamlined ; it decreases the range but gives a straighter flight. This is the general design of this type of throwsticks.

Each stick is produced individually, the angles of attack of the long blade and of the short blade must be adjusted. A positive angle increases the rise and vice versa.

---

It's amazing how sophisticated "primative" weapons can be.

http://revedeboomerang.free.fr/tuning2.pdf

A very good link from Luc Bordes.

@TOMBELAINE - Great resource!  Thanks for posting that. :thumb:

TOMBELAINE wrote on Aug 17^th, 2023 at 7:07am:

The short blade is more steamlined ; it increases the range but curves the flight. The long blade is less streamlined ; it decreases the range but gives a straighter flight. This is the general design of this type of throwsticks. Each stick is produced individually, the angles of attack of the long blade and of the short blade must be adjusted. A positive angle increases the rise and vice versa.

TOMBELAINE wrote on Aug 18^th, 2023 at 10:01am:

http://revedeboomerang.free.fr/tuning2.pdf A very good link from Luc Bordes.

Thank you very much! ;)

I am looking for gum tree branches in order to cut one to carve and try.

The two sticks are identical. Only one difference : the "7" has a hook. This hook allows the stick to bypass a shield.
The "7" is pretty but, without shield, the hook is useless.

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I don't know if the hook would help against a shield unless the stick was used as a hand weapon.  If you have other thoughts on that, I would love to hear them.

When throwing the stick, the extra "hook" portion is going to add a little weight to the striking end (at least the most effective end).  I think it could also possibly add some stability to the flight.  I'm not sure on that though.

I quote Luc Bordes who is probably one of the greatest specialists in the world.

joe_meadmaker wrote on Sep 12^th, 2023 at 1:21pm:

I think it could also possibly add some stability to the flight.

Yes but it's limited and it isn't the goal.

I made a drawing to show the usefullness of the hook. It's just an example but that how I understand.

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thabaill wrote on Sep 7^th, 2023 at 9:04am:

I am looking for gum tree branches in order to cut one to carve and try.

Keep us informed.
:)

TOMBELAINE wrote on Sep 15^th, 2023 at 8:28am:

thabaill wrote on Sep 7th, 2023 at 9:04am: I am looking for gum tree branches in order to cut one to carve and try. Keep us informed. :)

I am still searching hehehe

I've been looking everywhere too - I think I read somewhere they were often made from the root section of an acacia tree where the trunk meets the roots. This is dense wood and has the right angle and the grain follows form. I havent the hear to cut down/dig up a tree for a muck around so keep an eye out for fallen branches.

Greetings!  I know this is a slightly older thread but wanted to add to it since I just finished making a video on my YouTube (Old Ways Rising Farm) on exactly this topic, the non-returning boomerang!  It does cover all the profiles and why they are what they are, more videos on the topic are in progress.  I don't cover the wartilkirri in specific, but I just found a perfect stick for it and will be making one in a couple years when it is fully seasoned. Have a blessed day all, Adam.

https://youtu.be/pkwyFnOQhc8

Thanks for bumping this Adam.  I meant to last week.  There's only a couple days left, but if anyone is interested in a Wirlki model from Throwsticks (https://www.throwsticks.com/wirlki), they have a coupon that's good through tomorrow.  It's for their 7th Anniversary.  Here's the content of the email they sent out:

We've been waiting for 7 years (since 2.21.2017) to offer 7% off our Figure 7 Throwstick, on our 7th anniversary!! Today!

This coupon is valid today through Feb 27th to kick off the good weather ahead!  It cannot be applied to prior purchases.  Click the link in your shopping cart "Redeem your coupon" and then use Code: THROWSEVEN to receive 7% off your order of a Wirlki (figure 7 stick).

Note that this coupon applies for the Wirlki Model only. We've built up our stock on this specific model over the last 4 months for this event and are ready for your orders! Our stock is low on most other models as we try to keep up with popular demand, but we're still filling orders on time!


7% isn't much, but it will be a few bucks off if anyone has been planning to get one of these.

You have a long video there Adam.  I can't watch it right now, but will definitely check it out later this week or next weekend. :thumb:

Hi. I am still looking for a branch. I have found a fallen one from an Eucalyptus gomphocephala. But it is in a place near many houses and people where I think I cannot cut it. Also the shape it not suited for a wartilykirri/wirlki.

https://exarc.net/sites/default/files/fig2-ok_0.jpg
https://exarc.net/issue-2020-2/at/throwing-stick-spear-thrower-study

I have found this where we can see a kylie on a table.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHR06mSTF6k

Greetings!