Wes Bakker's Atlatl, Style 1



This atlatl was designed by Wes Bakker, who sells them at the Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site.

Material:
Wood, 22" x 1" x 7/8"
Dowel, 1/4" x 5/8" long
Leather strap, 3/8" x 10"
Artificial Sinew

Construction:

• Shape the top of the atlatl. At 6 1/2" from the handle end and 1 1/4" from the peg end, remove 1/4 of wood.
  
  
  
  
• Shape the bottom of the atlatl. At 6 1/2" from the handle end all the way to the peg end, remove 1/4" of wood. The main shaft should be 3/8" thick.
  
  
  
  
• Make the handle round.
  
  
• Round off both ends.
  
  
• Cut a shallow groove, about 3/8" wide, running 4" down the shaft.
  
  
• Drill a 1/4" hole in the peg block at about a 25 degree angle. Go about 1/4" deep.
  
  
• Round off all edges and sand smooth.
  
  
• Round off one end of the peg. Put glue in the hole, insert the flat end, and push it in firmly.
  
  

• Put on the handle. Make a "bow" with the leather strap, crossing about 5" from the handle end on the front (the side with the peg). Glue it down and wrap it firmly with the sinew.

  
  
  

The original had a "knobbed" grip, as well as a weight tied onto the back of the shaft (where the notches are).

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