How To Make A Simple Atlatl: 13 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Make a Simple Atlatl PDF download Download Article Reviewed by Ky Furneaux

Last Updated: February 19, 2026

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  • Using a Hook-Shaped Branch
    • |
  • Using a Straight Branch
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less X

This article was reviewed by Ky Furneaux. Ky Furneaux is a survival expert, outdoor guide, and professional stuntwoman based in Australia. She’s been featured in over 100 films and TV productions, and has hosted, produced, and participated in some of the most extreme TV survival shows including MTV’s Made and Discovery’s Naked and Afraid. She has authored 5 survival books, including "The Superwoman’s Survival Guide" and "Survive: The All-In-One Guide to Staying Alive in Extreme Conditions", with the goal of sharing her knowledge of survival techniques with others. As an accomplished stuntwoman, she won a Taurus Award in 2012 for Best Female Stunt Performer and has doubled stars like Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Jaime Alexander, and Sharon Stone. This article has been viewed 101,971 times.

Atlatl means "spear thrower" in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztec. Atlatl are an ancient, yet extremely effective, hunting tool.[1] An experienced thrower can hurl a 7 foot (2.1 m) dart (fletched spear) well over 100 yards (91.4 m). When Cortez the Conquistador and his men invaded and captured Tenochtitlan, modern day Mexico City, the Aztec were able to kill many men with darts from the Atlatl. It even pierced their armor. Nowadays, many high tech Atlatls are available for hundreds of Dollars, and many states allow their hunting. However, if you want to take up the sport the traditional way, why not do like the ancients, and make your very own.?

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Using a Hook-Shaped Branch

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  1. Step 1 Find a straight branch with a hook shape on the end of it. 1 Find a straight branch with a hook shape on the end of it. The main branch should be the length of the user's forearm and hand. The end with the small hook will be where the spear attaches to.
  2. Step 2 Cut the hook shape down to be about one inch long and one quarter inch wide. 2 Cut the hook shape down to be about one inch long and one quarter inch wide. Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Now you can sand down, add a handle, decorate, or apply laquer and paint. 3 Now you can sand down, add a handle, decorate, or apply laquer and paint.
  4. Step 4 Finally, attach the store-bought or homemade dart to hook, and you're ready! 4 Finally, attach the store-bought or homemade dart to hook, and you're ready!
    5. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Using a Straight Branch

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  1. Step 1 Find a straight branch. 1 Find a straight branch. The main branch should be the length of the user's forearm and hand. No hook this time.
  2. Step 2 At one end, take a knife and split down the middle about three inches. 2 At one end, take a knife and split down the middle about three inches.
  3. Step 3 Find a small twig and carefully shape it into a wedge. 3 Find a small twig and carefully shape it into a wedge.
  4. Step 4 Now, force the wedge into the split from step #2. 4 Now, force the wedge into the split from step #2. Force it down until it separates the two sides of the stick about one inch.
  5. Step 5 Leaving the wedge... 5 Leaving the wedge in the stick, drill two small holes in the stick, one on each split end, down about one half inch from the top.
  6. Step 6 Thread heavy duty string through the two holes, and secure it so that it forms a "bridge" from one split to the other split. 6 Thread heavy duty string through the two holes, and secure it so that it forms a "bridge" from one split to the other split.
  7. Step 7 Store bought darts and the arrow nocks. 7 Store bought darts and the arrow nocks. Glue one arrow nock down each of the hollow dart ends.
  8. Step 8 Now you can sand down, add a handle, decorate, or apply laquer and paint to the atlatl. 8 Now you can sand down, add a handle, decorate, or apply laquer and paint to the atlatl.
  9. Step 9 Finally, attach the knocked dart to the string bridge, and you're ready! 9 Finally, attach the knocked dart to the string bridge, and you're ready!
    10. Advertisement

Community Q&A

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  • Question Can I use a steel rod for an arrow? Community Answer Community Answer I think so. I prefer using a wooden dowel, but steel should resist rain and impacts better. You probably can't throw it as far, but it should still work. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 2
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Tips

  • Atlatl is pronounced ahtil ahtil. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • These weapons can penetrate metal, so obviously, be careful! Thanks Helpful 13 Not Helpful 5
  • Check local regulations on hunting and use. Thanks Helpful 13 Not Helpful 7
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Things You'll Need

For Method One

  • Branch
  • Knife
  • Lacquer decorations, and paint (optional).
  • Sandpaper
  • Saw
  • Darts

For Method Two

  • Branch
  • Darts
  • Arrow Nocks
  • String
  • Saw
  • Knife
  • Sandpaper
  • Decorations (optional)
  • Small twig
  • High Strength Epoxy or Super Glue or Carpenters Glue.
  • Drill and small drill bit.

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References

  1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlatl

About This Article

Ky Furneaux Reviewed by: Ky Furneaux Survival and Outdoors Expert This article was reviewed by Ky Furneaux. Ky Furneaux is a survival expert, outdoor guide, and professional stuntwoman based in Australia. She’s been featured in over 100 films and TV productions, and has hosted, produced, and participated in some of the most extreme TV survival shows including MTV’s Made and Discovery’s Naked and Afraid. She has authored 5 survival books, including "The Superwoman’s Survival Guide" and "Survive: The All-In-One Guide to Staying Alive in Extreme Conditions", with the goal of sharing her knowledge of survival techniques with others. As an accomplished stuntwoman, she won a Taurus Award in 2012 for Best Female Stunt Performer and has doubled stars like Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Jaime Alexander, and Sharon Stone. This article has been viewed 101,971 times. 72 votes - 77% Co-authors: 23 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 101,971 Categories: Hunting
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Ky Furneaux Reviewed by: Ky Furneaux Survival and Outdoors Expert 72 votes - 77% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 23 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 101,971

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