The word atlatl is meant to be in a song especially when used with battle! Our son, Peter, saw this performer, Bhi Bhiman, perform at a concert in San Francisco and happened to find this “atlatl” song.
Check it out and don’t go into battle with a broken atlatl!
Thunderbird Atlatl will be at the Flint Ridge Knap-In in Brownsville, Ohio this weekend, Friday, August 30, Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1. https://www.facebook.com/FlintRidgeKnappIn
On Friday morning at 9 am until noon, August 30th 2013, Bob Berg will be presenting an atlatl making workshop. Join Bob in his hands on workshop as he reveals many secretes of carving wood with Stone Age tools. Bob will start the process by knapping blades and hafting them to handles used to carve atlatls from green wood. A workshop area will be set up next to the Thunderbird Atlatl vendor tent. A limited number of blanks will be available to make your atlatl. You may also supply your own which should be a green hardwood branch about the length of your arm and an inch in diameter, plus or minus. A donation of a few dollars will cover the cost of materials used and honorariums are gladly accepted; the amount being up to you depending on what you feel you bring away from the project.
On Saturday morning at 9 am Bob will be presenting an atlatl dart making workshop. Bob will show you the various skills necessary to build and maintain atlatl darts. This will also be hands on for participants who would like to try their hand at making an atlatl dart. Both traditional and modern (kit) dart making will be demonstrated and taught. We always appreciate people who purchase our dart kits although a small donation to cover other material costs and honorariums are gladly accepted.
In the interest of safety people younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Those from 12 to 18 must have parental permission to make atlatls and also to use sharp tools. Participants understand that use of sharp tools can be dangerous and must assume all risk unto themselves and hold Bob Berg, Thunderbird Atlatl and associates harmless.
Thunderbird Atlatl will be at the annual Stonetool Technology Show this weekend, August 23 to 25. Stop by our booth. Thunderbird Atlatl’s Bob Berg will be offering ongoing wokshops throughout Saturday and into Sunday.
Purchase an atlatl kit or put together a stone knife at our booth using our materials and hafting glue.
The show takes place at the north end of Letchworth State Park on the Mt. Morris side. Here’s a link to the event: http://nysparks.com/events/event.aspx?e=79-6997.1.6
Thunderbird Atlatl joined atlatl enthusiasts in three atlatl battles this past week at the Pennsic War! The atlatl was also used on the thrown weapons range this year, giving more people a chance to try it out. Looking forward to the Stone Tool Show at Letchwork the end of August.
Top Photo: With the fort in the background, Laird Grimòlfr Ormà lfrson casts a dart in the final atlatl battle and (Bottom Photo:) warriors stand in a field of cast darts!
The Great Lakes Traditional Arts Gathering on Drummond Island in Michigan proved to be a fascinating and great learning experience for those attending.
We were privileged to be part of this interesting gathering this past weekend. One of the highlights of the weekend was constructing and completing a spruce bark canoe. The canoe took its maiden voyage on Sunday. It was an amazing process.
Thunderbird Atlatl shared our stone tool making knowledge, our popular hafting resin and topped the weekend with an excursion out into the water with an atlatl fishing expedition!
With much help, we put together two sets of canoes to set up fishing vessels with platforms. The project is to tie two canoes together and set up a platform for a person to stand on to harpoon fish from the end of the canoe. On the more traditional of the two setups, we used birch bark torches. We didn’t see any fish on this trip out but learned a lot and had a great experience. Pictures are below. Our next trip out will be to the Pennsic War! We are looking forward to playing Aztec Atlatl Battle.
