Aleut Style Atlatl 1

Aleut Style 1
Aleut Style #1

From "The Tribal Living Book"

Material:
Block of hardwood 15-20" long, 3" wide, 1" thick

Construction:

Round off the ends and the edges of the block with your knife. Carve out the hand grip. You will want to carve an indentation on one side of the grip to fit the muscles of the lower part of your thumb, and notches on the other side to fit your middle, ring, and little fingers. (Note that the spear-thrower shown is right-handed.)
Turn the spear-thrower over and, starting at the end opposite the grip, carve a long groove about 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide. It should begin about 2 inches in from the far end and be deep enough to pass through to the wood on the other side. Gradually taper it off near the grip end, until it runs flush with the surface.
Turn the thrower over again and hollow out a hole for your forefinger at the other end. Cut a hole completely through the block, coming out on the other side which will hold the spear shaft. The spear-thrower is now finished, unless you want to add a coat of red paint in authentic Aleut style.