Spears!

…are very good for hunting large, slow animals. Since the extinction of many such animals, weapons like bows and blowpipes have, in some places, replaced the

spear. It nevertheless remains a vital component of the Hunter-Gatherer’s tool-kit.

Its principle uses are self-defence (Hunter-Gatherers can be hunted by animals), dispatching wounded prey (A dangerous job), and digging for roots. Your spear can also keep branches out of your face, make a path through thorns and nettles, test dangerous ground, reach things you can’t, help you vault a stream, save you from sinking in a bog,

be used with a harpoon point and can even help you when scrambling up a rocky slope.

How do I make one?... You need wood, sharp tools and, sometimes, fire.

Where do I get the wood? …from a living or dead tree

Dead trees are dangerous - they can fall or drop branches. Never stand          under one!

It's got to be strong, springy and about as thick as two of your fingers. A

general-purpose spear should be at least as high as your chin to a little higher

than your head. Don’t use broom-handles they are a waste of time. We use almost

any wood from natural saplings or branches for spears.

Cut a notch at least 3mm deep into the heartwood all the way around the branch

or sapling. Then pull the branch to split at your notch – if it doesn’t break easily

cut deeper. Pulling too hard may split your spear. Once it breaks choose your

length and cut the other end.

But it’s not straight!

Don’t worry, spears don’t have to be very straight. (Look at the one on the right) You can bend it a bit straighter if you want.

It’s got twigs and sharp bits!

Rub and smooth them on rough rock, Now it needs a point, (the point goes at the thicker end! – this makes it easier to throw) you can grind a point on by rubbing it against rough stone, or cut with your stone (or other) knives and saws, but the easiest way is to burn the tip in fire and rub off the charred areas in soil etc. until you have a point gently narrowing for at least 30cm.

The speart the right of this page was made from maple, cut and trimmed with a

stone knife, sharpened in fire and has put in over a years work.

Your spear doesn’t need to be razor sharp or have a stone point

(like some arrows) Spears store a lot of energy and will go through a rhino’s skin

(don’t try this at home) Do test your spear on layers of corrugated cardboard etc.

after you develop your throwing skill.

Only ‘civilised’ people that live in houses carry their spears wrong - but then what

do they know?

Response to attack.

Trap the end of your spear under your foot as you crouch behind it and point the

sharp end at the charging animal. In this position the animal uses its own strength

and speed to kill itself on your spear (especially useful when it’s a 150kg wild boar)

I can’t throw it!...Of course not – you haven’t read this bit.

              It’s a bit like a javelin in that you hold it at the point of balance.
                      Find the point of balance and put it in the palm of your hand.

              But it’s not a javelin – that’s a long range weapon for killing
                      Roman soldiers when they are so squashed together they can’t
                      run away. You have a short-range weapon (About 5m range
                      maximum) Any more distance than that and even a slug has
                      time to dodge.

               When you throw a ball your hand moves in curves, when you
                      throw a spear your hand moves in a straight line. Any curvature
                      in your throw will put your spear into a slow topple or spin.

               Javelins go high and then stick into the ground, try to throw
                      your spear so that it flies parallel to the ground and lands so
                      that the point doesn’t dig in. This not only saves the tip but
                      is more likely to result in a hit in the important part of your
                      prey.

When you get good, try spinning your spear - a technique at least half a million

years old - it provides a little more stability.

There are lots of types of spears, we’ve just described a general purpose one.

They are fun to throw – but in reality having thrown it you are disarmed and

vulnerable. If you were actually hunting with spears you may carry one or two

thinner, longer (More stable) spears for throwing. You can sharpen the thin

end of your spear to make it into a digging stick too, but your spear will wear

out veryfast if used in this way.

The spear to the left of this page was made of ash. The fancy head took

a long time and looks cool, but the spear is actually no better than the

quickly-made one on the right of this page.

There are many other types of spear and a lot of subtle modifications -

some can be thrown up to 200 metres! We can show you loads more

about them!