Making Spear Handles

[magnolia]

Does anyone know which thing is the best to make spear Handle ? which wood in India ? How to preserve the spear and its handle for long term use ?
Thank you .

[pistolero]

Dear Magnolia,

Rattan is an obvious choice. It is strong YET flexible.

However it depends on what "kind" of spear you are trying to make.
The choice of wood, would vary as per application.

Do you have the spear head? If so, do post some photos.

Regards,
Pistolero

[magnolia]

I've asked an expert black smith to make one . It would be 8inch long just ^ shaped with a thin part to push into the handle .
I know rattan is great but only 1.25 inch wide 6ft long rattan is too flexible and nowadays more wide rattan is just unavailable here .
Want to use it in dense forest walk - just to keep with as a support . Don't know if I need to use it anyday or not ! But I like such spear that I had seen one long ago in an old jamindar house . Its handle was of almost solid bamboo and really looking great !!!

[pistolero]

Dear Magnolia,
If you are looking at a Walking Stick cum Spear, and prefer solid wood, then the easily available material would be Teak.

Other options would be Mulberry/Oak or Irul, if you can find it. Irul is tough wood.

The most important part is going to be getting the "grain" right, if you get any of these woods, and the Stick is not made from the right grain, it will still most likely crack on impact.

Check this Video on You Tube "Hog Trapping Tactical Walking Stick", hope it helps


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6ACwz0wlmY

[xl_target]

Just wondering; how do you plan to attach the spear head to the shaft?

I did find two posts that talk about different methods.
http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.16403.html
http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic ... =spearhead

It would be 8inch long just ^ shaped with a thin part to push into the handle

Do you mean that you plan to drill a hole in the shaft and then secure the tang in some way to the shaft?
If there is a hole in the tang, it could be riveted in place.
Or a nail could the sent through and then the ends could be peened to hold it in place.

Interesting project. Photos showing the progress would be interesting.

[marthandan]

bamboo would be the best possible option, especially since the spear has a "tang". cut grooves into the tang, pour epoxy (araldite) into the hollow of the shaft, push the tang in and you are done.
you can also have brass caps made for either end of the shaft.

[magnolia]

O. K. Ill try it on bamboo .
can u tell me how to make bamboo pest free and last for loooooong !

[marthandan]

try and get a straight piece of bamboo. dried would be better. once you have fixed the spear head and added other embellishments, give the entire set up a couple of coats of clear PU wood finish. make sure that the bamboo is as dry as it can get.

[magnolia]

Thank you !

[magnolia]

Hello Friends ,

Atlast I have made few spear shafts of Bamboo , Black palm , Babool and Shisham ( Sisoo ) , Gurjan and Sal wood . These all are made from the best possible quality , matured heart wood . Here's my feedback for all who want to make such a spear shaft ( all are 7 ft long 3 cm diameter ) .

Historically bamboo was the most used spear shaft in ancient India . Besides Sisoo , Bael , Babool , Grewia , Padauk were also used . ( Yes I've searched a lot for historical reference and atlast found it . )

I've made shafts of solid type matured bamboo and it is excellent . Light weight , strong , reliable and above all not easily breakable . I'll give 7 out it of 10 .

Babool is the 2nd choice for me . Elastic , strong , reliable but not so light weight ( weight more than bamboo but less than other two wood shafts ) . I'll give 9.5 out of 10 to babool shaft .

Then I'll go for sal wood shaft . Its almost like babool shaft but not so elastic .Its 9 out of 10 .

Shisham is my 4th choice . It is strong , tough , flexible ( less than bamboo and babool ) but heavy . Reliable . I'll give it 8.5 out of 10 .

Gurjan is my 5th choice . Its light but not so elastic and strong . I'll give it 5.5 out of 10 .

Black palm is the strongest but heaviest and not flexible . If you are fond of heavy and very strong shaft , may go for black palm but consult any carpenter first ( use no electronic weapons to round it ) as it is really difficult to work with . I'll give 7.5 out of 10 .

If anyone is looking for a reliable good spear shaft I'll recommend to use babool ( may go for sal or Sisoo if anyone wishes to spend more ) . Its beautiful to look and it bends but really hard to break . You may make a very reliable shaft from it .

You may also think for Eucaliptus , Bakul , iron wood , Jamun wood ( Ive never made any shaft from these woods ) but always avoid Teak , mahogany as these woods are not so strong ( Ive consulted so many timber experts and martial art weapons experts from India n abroad who have never recommend but always forbade to use these woods . Besides modules of rapture of these woods are not suitable for making spear shaft etc . )

Hope this would help you too .