Making an Atlatl Dart Part I (straightening the cane)

Part I of a series on making an cane atlatl dart, starting with the straightening of the cane dart blank.

• Category

  Howto & Style

[kevseadog]

When harvesting Arundo, do you cut it green and let it season, or do you pick up last years dead shoots, or do you cut mostly yellow with a hint of green? How long do you let it dry before straightening? Also is there a time of year best for gathering?

Thanks a lot, this has been a very informative video.

Peace.

[Paleoaleo]

I generally cut the shafts when they are a nice creamy tan in color, but still alive. I use these right away - taking care when heat straightening not to over heat them. I don't think it matters what time of year they are gathered. I do find that the best stands are up and away from the stream bottoms. Too much water makes them grow fast and weak. I avoid green stuff - it never dries well for me.

[luresalive]

I take it the canes are slightly tapered, do you use the dart with the thicker end at the point or at the fletches?

[Paleoaleo]

Yea, the fatter end is the front of the dart...the point end.

[Matt Reeves]

where exactly do you get your materials for your darts?

[Paleoaleo]

I collect most of it around where I live.

[peopleofthecircle]

Do wooden dowels work for dart?

[artifactman660]

do you sell any of your spears?

[bobby sissom]

congratulations i have only recently discovered your video postings,and i have been so impressed with your teachings that you are the first person i have ever suscribed to on youtube,this is a purely fantastic feat as i am forty four years old and have had the net in my home for many years,each video i have seen so far has taught me more than i expected, thank you for all the effort you put into the details

[donvaskwa]

hello I found phragmites by my house these look like arundo dolax , but they are light weight and if they are stepped on the will crack. there not as strong as real river cane. have you made darts from these or do you think these would be good darts?

[Pyromaniac1801]

rolling the shafts on a flat surface works as well, or am i wrong?

[tashiro143]

hey where do you get your woods for arrows?

[holyman96]

im 13 years old and im wondering what size dart i should use im about 5' 1" and i dont know if my height has anything to do with the lenght of the dart because the cane around my house doesnt grow that long :/

[82f150]

i just cut 10 shafts and got them cut down to 6 and 1/2' the have a really extreme taper like from 3/4' to 3/8'. will they still work?