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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Bowhunting + Bows, Spears & Knives
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NitroXAdministrator
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How do you make a straight shafted Aboriginal spear?
      #394715 - 02/12/25 08:43 PM

How do you make a straight shafted Aboriginal spear? Or javelin?

Aboriginal rhrowingvspears are long, thin and straight .

It's rare to find such wood naturally.

I believe they straightened branches with heat/fire? Maybe soaked as well?

Does anyone know the technique? Know of any videos or sites explaining the technique?

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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Claydog
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Re: How do you make a straight shafted Aboriginal spear? [Re: NitroX]
      #394716 - 02/12/25 08:50 PM

The ones I have seen heat it over a fire and bend it. They were biting it between their teeth and bending with a hand either side. Did
It for ages till they were happy. Took them days.

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LRF
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Re: How do you make a straight shafted Aboriginal spear? [Re: Claydog]
      #394722 - 02/12/25 10:25 PM

When I have seen it done in videos or shows they use a flat piece of wood with a hole drilled in it a slight bit larger then the shaft with the edges properly chamfered or smoothed. The flat isn't very thick. I think experience is the guide here. The shaft is then warmed over a fire, careful not to scorch the wood. Then the shaft is place thru the hole and the flat board is used as a lever to bend the shaft. Most of it is the skill of experience here and time I believe. Patience is a big part I imagine also. But then when you live in the jungle and your next meal depends on a straight shaft patience is easier to find.

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: How do you make a straight shafted Aboriginal spear? [Re: LRF]
      #394725 - 02/12/25 11:58 PM

Thanks for the replies. Modern man lacks the patience primitive man needed for so much of their lives.

One of my desert Centra Australian spears was one actualy used. It was sold as it has some fine cracks in it. A thin solid one piece long spear for throwing, with a wooden blade integral to the shaft.

Maybe it is black due to the fire treatment?

I think these spears are thin, so as to bend easier. And fly better.

A second spear I bought was a recreation of the traditional Aboriginal "javelin". Lighter wood. Multi section. Blade bound to the shaft. Barb bound to the blade. I think maybe the end art of the shaft is a third section. With the end coned to fit the woomeras prong. A Woomera is the throwing stick tool for added power, velocity and range. Very useful when one gets the hang of it. I've used them elsewhere. I don't have a matching plain Woomera. Most are sold decorated. Need to find a plain one to add to my collection.

This javelin was for tourist sale only. Not for use. But traditionally made correctly.

I wonder what wood or trees were used for the shafts?

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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LRF
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Re: How do you make a straight shafted Aboriginal spear? [Re: NitroX]
      #394729 - 03/12/25 02:12 AM

Did the Australian Aboriginal use the atlatl to throw their spears? It was widely used by cultures around the globe I believe. Not sure on that last statement.

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DarylS
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Re: How do you make a straight shafted Aboriginal spear? [Re: LRF]
      #394730 - 03/12/25 03:27 AM

They did use an atlatl on Quigly Down Under. Was that an accurate depiction?
My bro and I made Atlantis after the movie came out. Our "darts" were 7' long and had large flethes and ion pegs for points. Very effective.
I just 5/8" Hemlock dowels for the shafts.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
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Re: How do you make a straight shafted Aboriginal spear? [Re: DarylS]
      #394734 - 03/12/25 04:40 AM

Yes they did use a Woomera to throw their spears. As I described.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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Claydog
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Reged: 17/08/12
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Re: How do you make a straight shafted Aboriginal spear? [Re: NitroX]
      #394745 - 03/12/25 08:51 AM

When we were building on coastal communities the locals would come around asking for offcuts from the sheets of mesh to make fishing spear points. I have seen all sorts of metal spear points some long blade points that looked like Masai spears. On the Roper River one fellow showed me the spears they use for "hurting people who needed it" They were all fire hardened timber with wicked timber barbs pointing back down the shaft that he said went in and wouldn't come out. They were beautifully painted and a bit of carving on them. He wouldn't give me one though. Too hard to make.

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