By Wayne Rudman

After reading the article about the Atlatl in ABH&A and discussing this ancient weapon over a beer one evening, we wondered about its effectiveness as a weapon and hunting tool. Tolla Serfontein was the mastermind in the research and creation of his own Atlatl.

A heavy arrow made from a dowel originally intended for a curtain rail was easily launched some 80 metres, on the first attempt. The trajectory over such a distance, however, is rather like the arch of a rainbow. I am sure that with a shorter, more spined arrow greater distances could be achieved. At bowhunting distances this would surely be lethal.

Mastering this ancient weapon demands lots of practise and dedication. Certainly more, I would imagine, than mastering a stick bow.

An old piece of a damaged walnut rifle stock blank was used and fashioned by filing and sanding, after the basic profile had been cut out on a band saw. The arrow is located in the Atlatl by a piece of kudu horn tip as the driver. In the grip, a groove, much like a two-pronged arrow rest, is used to locate the arrow. As the arrow is launched, the forefinger retains the arrow until the time of release. No exceptional skills are required to make an Atlatl and only basic woodwork hand tools are needed.

An Atlatl is indeed a basic tool but in its time must have been an invention of note. Almost like comparing a stick and a compound bow with anything else that was available at the time.

Examine a spear and then launch it out of an Atlatl for comparison.

The Atlatl must surely be the cams of a spear.