Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Make a simple spear from a branch or a stick
• Method 2 of 3: Make a spear with a knife
• Method 3 of 3: Attach a purchased spearhead
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

The spear is one of the oldest weapons used by humans. The first spear was just a sharpened stick with a fire-hardened tip, but over time we discovered how to forge iron and steel and the spear became an invaluable weapon in the medieval armory. Today the spear is used less often, but it can be useful if you are trying to survive in nature. Whether you're making a spear because you need one or just because you like it, be careful when using it. A spear is not a toy and it is important to handle it safely.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Make a simple spear from a branch or a stick

1. Find a branch or stick. Find a branch or stick that is at least your size. Ideally, the stick or branch is a few inches taller than you so that you have a greater reach.
   • The stick you choose should be 2.5 to 4 inches in diameter.
   • Hardwoods, such as ash or oak, are best suited for this project. To give your spear a sharp point, find a rough surface like a stone, brick wall, or sidewalk. Rub the spear over the surface and sharpen it well.
   • If you make a spear in nature, search the area and see if you can find a sapling of the right size. You can choose to use a live tree or a dead tree, depending on what you can find.
2. Give your spear a pointed end. Use a knife or small hand ax and gently make a point on one end of your stick or branch.
   • Make a point by making small, even cuts. Always cut yourself off to avoid injuring yourself.
   • This job can take quite some time. Even with a sharp knife, it can be dangerous and requires a lot of physical effort to cut wood away.
3. Make a small fire to "fry" the tip of your spear. When you are satisfied with your spear point, hold it just above the flames and turn the spear until you see the wood change color. Keep rotating the spear over the fire until the entire spearhead is completely cooked.
   • When baking a spear over a fire, you simply dry out the wood to make it lighter and harder. Damp wood is soft and dry wood is hard. By holding the spearhead above the flames you simply remove all moisture from the wood.

Method 2 of 3: Make a spear with a knife

1. Find a branch or sapling of the correct size. When making a spear with a knife, it is important to find a shaft that is easy to cut but sturdy enough to use as a weapon or tool. Do not use green wood. Trees that have recently died are ideal.
   • Look for a branch about an inch in diameter.
2. Clean the branch. Cut all side branches and buds from the branch of your choice to clean the shaft. You may choose to remove some of the bark to make it easier to grasp the shaft.
3. Make a kind of notch for the knife to rest against. Determine which end of the branch you will attach the knife to. Using a sharp knife, cut long, thin, vertical strips from the branch until you've made some sort of notch for the knife.
   • Making such a notch makes your spear more stable and allows you to attach the blade more securely to the shaft.
   • Rest the branch against another tree or stump to make this process safer and easier.
4. Attach the knife to the spear. Use a piece of string or similar to attach the knife to the branch. Tie one end of the rope around a tree trunk and wrap the other end around the knife and branch. Walk away until the rope is tight. Then use your body weight to keep the rope taut and wrap the rope around your knife.
   • Wrap the rope all the way to the blade of the knife. To make the knife even more secure, wrap the rope around the shaft again. Finally, make a simple knot in the rope.

Method 3 of 3: Attach a purchased spearhead

1. Buy a spearhead. You can buy spearheads from many blacksmiths on the internet. You may also be able to purchase a spearhead at a local survival supplies store, if there is one in your hometown.
   • Spearheads from the store may not be sharpened. You can sharpen the knife yourself if you wish, or take it to a professional knife sharpener.
2. Find a suitable shaft. The shaft of a spear is simply the stick to which the spearhead is attached. Attaching a spearhead to a shaft is also referred to as "shank".
   • If you have spent money on a nice spearhead, then you are probably willing to spend extra money on a good ash wood stick.
   • Depending on how thick the shaft is, you may have to cut one end diagonally to secure the spearhead. Make sure to cut only enough wood to secure the spearhead. If you cut too much wood, there will be a gap between the shaft and the spearhead so that the spearhead is not securely attached.
3. See if the spearhead fits. Slide the spearhead onto the shaft and see if it fits tightly. Your spearhead may have holes in the hollow, straight portion that you slide onto the shaft.
   • Use a marker or pencil and mark on the shaft where the holes are. You will drill a small hole there to attach the spearhead.
4. Secure the spearhead. You can fasten the spearhead with a short nail or a pin. You can also use plain glue or epoxy if you don't have a drill.
   • If the spearhead hollow tube has multiple holes, be sure to drill straight through the shaft, otherwise the nail or pin will not be able to go straight through the holes.
   • Drive a short nail through the holes to attach the spearhead to the shaft. Hold one end of the spear with pliers or clamp the spear in a vise. This will keep the spear stable when you drive the other end of the nail into the wood.
   • Using a ball hammer, hit the head of the nail until it flattens out just like the surface of the spear. The nail is so tight. Repeat this process on the other side until both ends of the nail are secure.

Tips

• Decorate your spear. When you have baked the end of your spear in the fire or attached the metal spear tip to the shaft, your spear is ready to use. However, you can cut some patterns into the shaft of the spear. You could also wrap a little leather around the shaft where you grasp the spear to protect your hands.
• To attach a spearhead or sharp stone to a prepared branch or stick, simply use the same wrapping method that you would use to make a spear with a knife. Instead of making a flat notch for the spearhead, cut one end of the branch in the middle. Do this in the center of the end you selected and make the opening wide enough to hold the spearhead securely.

Warnings

• Always make sure everyone is behind you and out of the way before throwing the spear at a target.
• Be careful when using a knife or ax.
• Spears are dangerous and can cause serious injury or even death. Make sure not to throw the spear at someone else.

Necessities

• A stick or branch 180 to 240 centimeters long
• A sharp knife or a hand ax
• About a meter of rope or something similar
• Ball hammer
• Short nails
• Pliers or vise
• Power drill
• Epoxy