DIY Survival Spear: A Comprehensive Guide to Crafting Your Own

The spear, a tool and weapon as old as humanity itself, remains a surprisingly relevant piece of survival gear. From hunting small game to providing a measure of self-defense, a well-crafted spear can be an invaluable asset in a wilderness survival situation. While modern firearms and knives are readily available, the ability to create a spear from readily accessible natural materials is a vital skill for any serious outdoors enthusiast or survivalist. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of crafting a sturdy and effective spear, covering everything from material selection to finishing techniques.

Why Make a Spear?

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s consider the advantages of having a spear in a survival situation:

• Hunting: A spear allows you to hunt small game like fish, frogs, rabbits, and squirrels from a safe distance. This is especially useful when you need to conserve energy and minimize risk of injury.
• Defense: While not a substitute for firearms or martial arts training, a spear provides a reach advantage against potential threats, both animal and human. It can create a crucial buffer zone, allowing you to assess the situation and react accordingly.
• Resource Gathering: A spear can be used to retrieve fruits or other edibles from high branches.
• Construction: The shaft of a spear can be used as a lever for moving heavy objects or as a support for building shelters.
• Psychological Advantage: Wielding a spear can provide a sense of confidence and control in a stressful survival situation.

Materials and Tools You’ll Need

The beauty of crafting a survival spear is its reliance on readily available natural resources. However, depending on your environment and skill level, you may choose to supplement these resources with a few basic tools. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

Essential Materials:

• Shaft Material: This is the main body of your spear. Look for a straight, strong sapling or branch. Ideal woods include:
• Hardwoods: Ash, oak, hickory, maple, and beech are excellent choices due to their strength and durability.
• Softwoods (Use with Caution): Pine, fir, and spruce can be used in a pinch, but they are more prone to breaking. Select thicker, denser pieces if using softwood.
• Length: The ideal shaft length should be roughly your height or slightly taller. This allows for a good balance of reach and maneuverability.
• Diameter: Aim for a diameter of 1.5 to 2 inches at the thicker end. This provides a comfortable grip and sufficient strength.
• Spear Head Material: This is the business end of your spear. Options include:
• Stone: Flint, obsidian, chert, and other fine-grained stones can be knapped into sharp spear points. This requires skill and practice.
• Bone/Antler: Sharpened bone or antler fragments make effective spear points. They are relatively easy to work with using basic tools.
• Hardened Wood: A fire-hardened wooden point can be a simple and effective option, especially for fishing or small game hunting.
• Metal (If Available): A metal knife blade, a piece of scrap metal, or even a sharpened nail can be fashioned into a spearhead.
• Cordage: You’ll need strong cordage to attach the spearhead to the shaft. Options include:
• Natural Fibers: Plant fibers like yucca, nettle, or inner bark can be processed into strong cordage. This requires knowledge of local plant life and processing techniques.
• Animal Sinew: Dried animal sinew makes incredibly strong and durable cordage.
• Paracord (If Available): Paracord is a readily available synthetic cordage that is strong and reliable.

Optional Tools:

• Knife or Axe: For felling saplings, shaping wood, and processing materials. A sturdy knife is essential.
• Saw: A saw can make it easier to cut saplings and branches cleanly.
• Hatchet or Small Axe: Useful for splitting wood and rough shaping.
• Sharpening Stone: For maintaining the sharpness of your knife or axe.
• Hammer or Mallet: For driving wedges or shaping wood.
• Drill or Awl: For creating holes for lashing the spearhead.
• Sandpaper (Various Grits): For smoothing the spear shaft.
• Fire Starter: For fire-hardening a wooden spear point.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Spear

Now that you’ve gathered your materials and tools, let’s get started on crafting your spear. The following steps will guide you through the process:

Step 1: Selecting and Preparing the Shaft

1. Locate a Suitable Sapling: Search for a straight, healthy sapling of the appropriate length and diameter. Avoid trees that are diseased or damaged.
2. Fell the Sapling: Use your knife, axe, or saw to carefully fell the sapling. Cut it as close to the ground as possible.
3. Remove Branches and Twigs: Use your knife or axe to remove all branches and twigs from the shaft. Be careful not to damage the main shaft.
4. Debark the Shaft: Use your knife to carefully remove the bark from the shaft. This will help the wood dry out and prevent rot.
5. Straighten the Shaft (If Necessary): If the shaft is slightly bent, you can straighten it by applying heat. Build a small fire and carefully heat the bent section of the shaft. Gently bend the shaft in the opposite direction of the bend until it is straight. Be careful not to overheat the wood, as it can become brittle.
6. Season the Shaft: Allow the shaft to dry and season for several days or weeks. This will help prevent it from warping or cracking. Store the shaft in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Step 2: Creating the Spearhead

The spearhead is the most critical part of your spear. The type of spearhead you create will depend on the materials available and your skill level. Here are a few options:

Option 1: Stone Spearhead

Creating a stone spearhead requires knowledge of flint knapping. If you are not familiar with this technique, it is best to practice with scrap materials before attempting to create a spearhead. Here are the basic steps:

1. Select a Suitable Stone: Choose a piece of flint, obsidian, chert, or other fine-grained stone that is free of cracks or flaws.
2. Prepare the Stone: Use a hammerstone to remove any large flakes or imperfections from the stone.
3. Shape the Spearhead: Use a pressure flaker (a tool made from antler or bone) to remove small flakes from the stone, shaping it into a spearhead. The spearhead should be triangular or lanceolate in shape, with sharp edges and a pointed tip.
4. Create a Hafting Notch: Use a pressure flaker to create a notch at the base of the spearhead. This notch will help secure the spearhead to the shaft.

Option 2: Bone/Antler Spearhead

Creating a bone or antler spearhead is a simpler process than knapping stone. Here are the steps:

1. Select a Bone or Antler Fragment: Choose a piece of bone or antler that is strong and free of cracks or flaws.
2. Shape the Spearhead: Use your knife or a sharpening stone to shape the bone or antler into a spearhead. The spearhead should be triangular or lanceolate in shape, with sharp edges and a pointed tip.
3. Create a Hafting Notch: Use your knife or a file to create a notch at the base of the spearhead. This notch will help secure the spearhead to the shaft.
4. Harden the Point (Optional): You can harden the point of the bone or antler spearhead by heating it in a fire. Be careful not to overheat the bone or antler, as it can become brittle.

Option 3: Hardened Wood Spearhead

A hardened wood spearhead is the simplest option, but it is also the least durable. However, it can be effective for fishing or hunting small game. Here are the steps:

1. Shape the Spear Point: Use your knife to shape the end of the spear shaft into a point. The point should be sharp and symmetrical.
2. Harden the Point: Build a small fire and carefully heat the point of the spear shaft over the fire. Rotate the shaft to ensure that the point is heated evenly. The heat will dry out the wood and make it harder. Be careful not to burn the wood.
3. Sharpen the Point Again: After the point has been hardened, use your knife to sharpen it again.

Option 4: Metal Spearhead (If Available)

If you have access to metal, creating a metal spearhead is the most durable option. Here are the steps:

1. Select a Piece of Metal: Choose a piece of metal that is strong and relatively thin. A knife blade, a piece of scrap metal, or even a sharpened nail can be used.
2. Shape the Spearhead: Use a file, grinder, or hammer to shape the metal into a spearhead. The spearhead should be triangular or lanceolate in shape, with sharp edges and a pointed tip.
3. Create a Hafting Method: Create a method for attaching the spearhead to the shaft. This could involve drilling holes for lashing, creating a tang that can be inserted into a split in the shaft, or wrapping the metal around the shaft.

Step 3: Attaching the Spearhead to the Shaft

Once you have created your spearhead, you need to attach it securely to the shaft. Here are a few methods for attaching the spearhead:

Method 1: Lashing

Lashing is the most common method for attaching a spearhead to a shaft. Here are the steps:

1. Prepare the Shaft: Use your knife to create a flat surface on the end of the shaft where the spearhead will be attached. You may also want to create a shallow groove around the circumference of the shaft to provide a better grip for the cordage.
2. Position the Spearhead: Position the spearhead against the flat surface on the end of the shaft. Make sure that the spearhead is aligned properly.
3. Lash the Spearhead: Use your cordage to tightly lash the spearhead to the shaft. Wrap the cordage around the spearhead and the shaft several times, creating a strong and secure bond. Use a variety of knots to ensure that the cordage does not slip. Common knots include the square knot, the clove hitch, and the constrictor knot.
4. Secure the Cordage Ends: Secure the ends of the cordage by tying them off with a secure knot. You can also tuck the ends of the cordage under the lashings to prevent them from unraveling.

Method 2: Socketing

Socketing involves creating a socket in the end of the shaft and inserting the spearhead into the socket. This method is more secure than lashing, but it is also more difficult to execute. Here are the steps:

1. Create a Socket: Use your knife or a drill to create a socket in the end of the shaft. The socket should be slightly smaller than the base of the spearhead.
2. Insert the Spearhead: Carefully insert the spearhead into the socket. You may need to use a hammer or mallet to gently tap the spearhead into place.
3. Secure the Spearhead: Once the spearhead is in place, you can secure it further by lashing the shaft around the base of the spearhead.

Method 3: Splitting and Inserting

This method involves splitting the end of the shaft and inserting the spearhead into the split. This method is best suited for spearheads that have a tang (a pointed extension that can be inserted into a slot). Here are the steps:

1. Split the Shaft: Use your knife or axe to carefully split the end of the shaft. The split should be slightly wider than the tang of the spearhead.
2. Insert the Spearhead: Insert the tang of the spearhead into the split.
3. Secure the Spearhead: Use cordage to tightly lash the shaft around the split. This will help to close the split and secure the spearhead.

Step 4: Finishing and Fine-Tuning

Once you have attached the spearhead to the shaft, there are a few finishing touches you can add to improve the spear’s performance and durability:

1. Smooth the Shaft: Use sandpaper to smooth the shaft. This will make the spear more comfortable to handle and prevent splinters.
2. Balance the Spear: Experiment with the balance of the spear. You can adjust the balance by adding weight to the butt end of the shaft or by shortening the shaft.
3. Test the Spear: Test the spear by throwing it at a target. Make sure that the spear is accurate and that the spearhead is securely attached.
4. Apply a Protective Coating (Optional): You can apply a protective coating to the shaft to help protect it from the elements. Options include beeswax, pine pitch, or linseed oil.

Safety Precautions

When crafting and using a spear, it is important to take the following safety precautions:

• Use Sharp Tools with Caution: Be careful when using knives, axes, and other sharp tools. Always cut away from yourself and keep your fingers out of the path of the blade.
• Wear Eye Protection: Wear eye protection when knapping stone or working with metal. This will protect your eyes from flying debris.
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Be aware of your surroundings when throwing a spear. Make sure that there are no people or animals in the path of the spear.
• Store the Spear Safely: Store the spear in a safe place where it will not be a hazard to yourself or others.

Alternative Spear Designs

While this guide focuses on a basic spear design, there are many other variations you can explore. Here are a few ideas:

• Multi-Pronged Spear (Fish Gig): This type of spear has multiple prongs at the end, making it ideal for catching fish.
• Atlatl Dart: An atlatl is a spear-thrower that allows you to throw a spear with greater force and accuracy.
• Fire Spear: This type of spear has a burning torch attached to the end, which can be used for signaling or hunting at night.
• Self-Spear: A self-spear is a spear made entirely from one piece of wood. This requires careful selection of the wood and skillful shaping.

Conclusion

Crafting a survival spear is a rewarding skill that can provide you with a valuable tool for hunting, defense, and resource gathering. By following the steps outlined in this guide and practicing your skills, you can create a sturdy and effective spear that will serve you well in any survival situation. Remember to prioritize safety and always respect the power of this ancient weapon.