Apocalypse Expedient Weaponry: The Javelin

Javelins, they fall about half way between spears and arrows, they're easy to make, fun to use and have been used for war and hunting all around the world for a long long time. sounds like a handy tool for the firearm challenged come the apocalypse, and just some plain old fun if you have a big empty field up the street to play extreme lawn darts in
Apologies in advance for the picture quality, I've been reduced to my cellphone for taking pictures, and well, it works, but not the best.

Step 1: You will need....

I try and use scavenged material for all my apocalypse projects. not necessary, but i feel it adds to the feel of the project. For this one I've scrounged up:

A socketed spatula and ladle
A couple of old broom sticks
and a bag of craft feathers.

I also like to try and use hand tools, again, because it adds to the feel. I used

Tin snips
a couple files
a hammer
a vice
a box cutter
and some string and a large needle.

Comments

[bcavaciuti]

you should aneal the bent one (heat till orange then air quench/cool) and hammer it a bit to keep it goin :)

[armourkris]

I would, but the shaft itself is cracked at the bend, I figgured I;d just keep an eye out for some more spatulas and whatnot

[EmcySquare]

Nice Idea !!

Anyway you cut it by hand with tinsnips, no hardening or heat threating: I'm afraid those would not last much if thrown full force, still they would do extreamly well for stabbing, hunting and fishing.

Next time you might like to use spade drill bits, or starting from flat tool steel stock like knifemakers do. ;-)

[armourkris]

they are a bit soft, but with the ridges in them they are tougher than I expected, I can whip them into my axe throwing target in the back yard 3 or 4 timed before I need to straighten the tips out, and that only takes about 10 seconds with a hammer.

spade drill bits are a good idea, I was thinking of using bamboo shafts for the next batch and I shouldn't have any trouble setting spade bits into he hollow sections... I've even got several doubles in my spade bit collection... Yeah, I'll do that for sure.
The other thing I was thinking of trying out is the tips from some socketed wood chisels, I'm just not sure how deep those sockets are. guess I'll have to keep my eye open for some cheap ones I can trash.

[bcavaciuti]

what about making it out of a spade thats snapped or rusting to bits coz they have sockets and with a pit of modding would make a handy spear...make sure the steels nice and thick though then itll last a bit longer obv :D wanna make one now but its snowing :P

[pfred2]

Rambo recommends car springs. I wanted to include the video clip from the movie but unfortunately the web is drawing a blank on this one. Just watch the whole movie, it is in there. The original Rambo 1. Extra points for watching the whole series though, if there is still time!

[triumphman]

You have got the right idea. Very cool!

[pfred2]

I think for your next javelin style weapon you might make something like the Roman pilum. Although you may only get one use out of it unless you modify the design somewhat. If you could score a piece of an old wrought iron fence you could make a few though.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Pilum.jpg

Nasty looking things.

[renrawmit]

They're supposed to break inside the victim for maximum damage.

[pfred2]

By they do you mean a pilum? If yes then they're supposed to bend so other combatants cannot use it.

[General Zod]

I thought the pilum was specifically designed to pierce an enemy's shield (much like a nail) and then bend along the thin metal "bolt" from the disproportionate weight of the haft (creating an effect similar to a stuck fish-hook)....thus requiring the enemy to throw their main defense away or spend time straightening out the spearhead to remove it from their shield. Either way, said enemy was greatly endangered or inconvenienced.

[renrawmit]

Sorry about that. Yes I mean the pilum. Interesting stuff.

[WhatWasIthinking]

Looks great, any chance to get a video of them in action?

[the_burrito_master]

Fry cook warfare!

[I have no mouth and I must scream]

On the your broken headed javelins have you thought of reworking them into metal tipped target blunts?

[Mimikry]

great Zombie-war weapon :)

[pfred2]

For me I think my ultimate zombie weapon would have to be an up armored rubber tire bucket loader a la Soylent Green. That way I could take on any size crowd. Fill 'er up!