News | Thunderbird Atlatl

groupcatkannat Thunderbird Atlatl is offering a March Madness special to camps, museums, educational organizations, scouts and others looking to set up an atlatl program.
The package includes choices from three of our most popular atlatls, the Kanakadea, the Catatonk and the Nanticoke. Those choosing this introductory package can choose to use all the same atlatls or mix up the set. The package also includes our popular wooden darts made from high quality straight grained Ash. The package lets you choose either to use five foot darts, six foot darts or a combination of both.
The wooden darts hold up very well despite being used by possibly hundreds of youth over several years. We’ve had camps tell us they used the darts continuously for three years and only had to repair points and fletchings but the shafts held up well.
Setting up an atlatl range is easy and teaches youth responsiblity and safety. Atlatl ranges use the same safety protocol used by archery ranges. The atlatl gives youth a chance to enjoy a fun target sport while learning about the atlatl’s place in history and its use today.
Pictured are the three atlatls, the Kanakadea, the Nanticoke and the Catatonk (top to bottom) featured in the package.
If you are interested in learning about the package, give us a call at 1-800-836-4520 or email us at contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com

Join Bob Berg and Craig Ratzat in Europe this summer when they offer a step back into the Stoneage.

The two experts in the fields of atlatls and flintknapping will present four one-day atlatl and flintknapping workshops at two different locations in Germany. Practice some of humankind’s earliest technologies in a goal oriented environment with these experts in the primitive arts field. This class is suited for anyone who is interested in the fields of atlatls, flintknapping, primitive technology, outdoor survival, archaeology, anthropology or just a desire to learn about these subjects in an experiential manner.

The first workshop is in association and preceding The Internationale Eisenbacher Bogen und Messsermesse July 2nd and 3rd 2011 at the internationally famous Hotel-Gasthof-Pension Bad Familie Wursthorn, Hauptstrasse 55, 79871 Eisenbach, Hochschwarzwald
Tel. (0 76 57) 471
Fax (0 76 57) 15 05

Stoneage Workshops in Germany with Bob Berg and Craig Ratzat.

1. June 30th, July 1st, 2011 in association with and preceding
The Internationale Eisenbacher Bogen und Messsermesse (see details below)

2. Bad Münstereifel Archery Club, July 9th and 10th, 2011

The Internationale Eisenbacher Bogen und Messsermesse
July 2nd and 3rd 2011 at the internationally famous
Hotel-Gasthof-Pension Bad
Familie Wursthorn

Hauptstrasse 55
79871 Eisenbach
Hochschwarzwald

Tel. (0 76 57) 471
Fax (0 76 57) 15 05
Fam.Wursthorn@bogensporthotel.de

Practice some of humankind’s earliest technologies in a goal oriented environment with two seasoned practitioners
of these fundamental primitive arts and technologies. This class is suited for anyone who is interested in atlatls, and
primitive technology. Anyone with a desire to learn about these subjects in an experiential manner is invited to
attend.

Bob will teach atlatl and dart making in a hands on environment. Craig Ratzat will teach students how to make stone tools, with the goal of producing working equipment at the same time as developing each student’s skills related to the project.
Materials will be provided that include flint for stone tools, bamboo for darts, wood for atlatls as well as fiber for cordage and bow strings. We will work with natural glues, oils and resins for use in sizing, hafting and joining. Bob will teach the construction methods for high quality atlatl darts made from bamboo, tapered hardwood and tapered softwood. All three dart styles have different characteristics and different uses that Bob will explain. Bob will show each student how to do the experiments that will determine the best length and spine to match the users shooting style and body characteristics.

Craig’s beginning classes will focus on the production of a stone tool set for each student that will be used throughout the seminar. Meanwhile Bob will focus on string making from natural fibers such as hemp, flax and sinew.
Bob will continue with cordage making techniques that will lead into exploring the production of cordage to be used in hafting stone points to dart shafts and for fletching. He will also teach the production of reverse wrapped cordage for other uses and on the atlatl handle. Bob teaches both purely hand twisted cordage and spindle twisted line. Bob’s atlatl making class will explore stone tool technology methods of working deer antler to produce the atlatl spur.
The student will learn to experience a feel for the use of both modern and ancient tool styles while developing hand to eye coordination in the use of both. The student will earn an appreciation of how ancient man worked under different time constrictions. While learning the use of stone tools is one of our goals we will allow students to “regress” to using metal tools if and when necessary. This will be up to the individual student.
In this comparative way each student will come to a greater understanding of how atlatls function and get a glimpse
of the world of Neolithic times.
Bob will present several ways to prepare and apply fletching, heat straighten dart and arrow shafts and haft stone
and bone points. Craig will also teach the art of biface reduction in order to make stone projectile points. There
will also be a selection of stone points available made by others. Bone, copper and antler point blanks will also be
available. We will provide several alternatives for gluing including hide glue, and various pitches in hand made pottery vessels warmed over charcoal.
A simple breakfast and lunch will be available at Badmünstereifel Archery club. The evening meal is up to the
participants. There is a kitchen and dining room available as well as an outdoor grill. Primitive camping is available
at the Archery club. There are restrooms.
At Bad Eisenbach, Hochschwartzwald meals and accommodations can be obtained from our honored host Hubert
Wusthorn and his esteemed family at the restaurant that so graciously offers its services to us.
Craig’s classes will be conducted in English. Bob’s classes will be in German and English.

A web page is being developed to promote the workshop. For further information, contact Bob or Cheryll Berg at Thunderbird Atlatl, 800-836-4520 in the United States or 607-659-3854 if calling from outside the United States.

The world's foremost atlatl and dart outfitter