Sovereignty Module: Set the Point

Complete Primitive Weaponry and Spear Making: From Shaft to Strike

The spear is humanity's oldest and most versatile weapon. This campaign covers shaft selection, point making, hafting, throwing techniques, and atlatl construction.

Chapter 1: Shaft Selection and Preparation

Shaft preparation: 1) Select straight sapling or branch (1-1.5 inch diameter for throwing spear). 2) Cut longer than needed (shrinkage during drying). 3) Remove bark immediately (prevents warping under bark). 4) Straighten while green: heat over fire, bend straight, hold until cool. 5) Dry slowly in shade (2-4 weeks minimum). 6) Re-straighten as needed during drying. 7) Final length: 5-7 feet for throwing spear, 6-8 feet for thrusting spear. 8) Sand smooth (removes splinters, improves grip). 9) Harden tip in fire (if using fire-hardened point). 10) Oil or grease shaft to prevent moisture absorption.

Chapter 2: Point Types

Chapter 3: Hafting Methods

Split shaft hafting: 1) Split end of shaft 3-4 inches deep. 2) Insert point into split (tang or base of point). 3) Apply pine pitch to fill gaps. 4) Wrap tightly with wet sinew (or cordage). 5) Start wrapping below the split, work upward. 6) Sinew shrinks as it dries, tightening the binding. 7) Apply more pitch over sinew wrapping. 8) Let dry completely before use. 9) Result: very strong, waterproof attachment.

Chapter 4: Atlatl (Spear Thrower)

Atlatl construction: 1) Select straight hardwood branch (18-24 inches, 1 inch diameter). 2) Flatten one end slightly (handle). 3) At the other end, attach spur: bone or antler peg, angled upward. 4) Spur protrudes 1/2 inch above surface. 5) Spur engages the nock (hollow end) of the dart. 6) Dart rests on top of atlatl, nock against spur. 7) Grip handle, hold dart with thumb and forefinger. 8) Throw with overhand motion (like throwing a ball). 9) Atlatl extends effective arm length by 2 feet. 10) Increases dart velocity to 80-100 mph (vs. 40-60 mph hand-thrown). 11) Effective range: 30-50 yards (vs. 15-20 yards hand-thrown). 12) Used for hunting large game for thousands of years before the bow.

Chapter 5: Throwing Technique

Reference Card

1. The spear is the most important primitive weapon (more versatile than a bow, easier to make, effective for hunting, fishing, and defense). 2. Straight shafts are worth the effort (a crooked shaft flies unpredictably; spend time selecting and straightening your shaft). 3. Fire-hardening works (simply charring and scraping the tip of a wooden spear creates a serviceable point in minutes). 4. Hafting is as important as the point (the strongest point is useless if it falls off the shaft; master split-shaft hafting with pitch and sinew). 5. The atlatl doubles your range (this simple lever extends your effective throwing range from 20 yards to 50 yards; it is the first force multiplier). 6. Practice before you need it (spear throwing accuracy requires hundreds of practice throws; build muscle memory before a survival situation). 7. Thrust before you throw (a thrusting spear at close range is more reliable than a thrown spear; throwing means you lose your weapon). 8. Carry a spare (spear points break, shafts snap; always have a backup point and binding materials ready).