My Handcrafted Spear

A couple years ago, I learned how to use a plane to carve a rectangular piece of wood into a nice cylinder. We had measured it from my elbow to the longest tip of my other hand. It had a metal weight on the front end, and string and feathers which Bummer (the dad of one of my students) added to it.

Yesterday, I dropped off my spear at Bummer's because he said he could finish it for me. He smoothed out some of the parts where I struggled with the wood grain that went both directions in different spots.

Then he painted it with a unique design out of red and white paint. I told him it looked cool and like blood. He said, "Blood lightning!"

He filed a sharp point to put on it attached to some wire and another string. Tonight, I got so excited to go pick it up and see how it turned out. It looks awesome!

I also picked up a nuqaq (sp) which is the spear thrower. You place it at the end of the spear and use it to guide and propel the nunarpaq (sp). He carved this one out of a piece of hardwood and I like it because it is naturally dark. It's so smooth and fits my hand well. I might try to find some varnish and seal it up so it is finished.


Thank you Bummer for an amazing job! No wonder everyone wants him to make their spears.