Javelin hack to throw like a Pro! (Bonus-Man throws rock)
Michael Allison is back for the last time this year and we look at Medieval fletched javelins. the Medieval hack to turn an unskilled javelin thrower into one who can throw straight in any conditions and how to use the throwing string that was employed by Vikings, medieval Europeans and 15th and 16thC Irish - amongst others.
Using the fletchings allows a bad thrower to throw cleanly and the string allows a bad thrower to throw further - what's not to get excited about?
But how effective are the fletchings and where do you place and how long do you make the string? We went to investigate and get you the answers needed to get you throwing like a pro!
For budget medieval replicas of fantastic accuracy and value todcutler.com
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For those who enjoyed Arrows vs Armour todtodeschini.com
Many thanks once again to Michael Allison of Team GB, follow him here / m.f.s.allison
Many thanks to Michael for his contributions to the research, and I wish you fortitude for your uni goals.
I came here to say the same.
Agreed! Thanks Michael!
He has been a star about these
Nice vid. As a kid I did this with lengths of hazel and a folded sticky label as a stabilizer. I used a slightly adapted method. Once you know the position, you make a notch in the shaft, tie a knot in the very end of the string and loop it against the knot, in the notch. Much more satisfying to keep hold of the sting.. and maybe a little less drag. I was an Neolithic child.
let him run into a throw.
I love how Michael is now more comofrtable with the camera. He was a really good cohost of this episode. I wish him goo luck in his future endeavors and hope to see him here again soon.
He has come on in leaps and bounds.
I noticed that as well. The first time he was on he was quit and a bit demure. Now he comes up with his own ideas and solutions. Wonderful lad!
I think the first time here, he was still worried I was some You Tube weapons nutter
Whereas now he absolutely knows you are some KZhead weapons nutter ;-)@@tods_workshop
Isn't that exactly what you are though? 😉
Well done to Michael for so nearly concealing his mirth when you said 8 inches were enough!
11:50
I dont get it. My wife doesn't either. :(
@@danielbrown9368 Your wife has probably always been lied to about what is 8 inches. So not getting it, is understandable:)
Lol
I appreciate the evolution in Michael's role, where it felt like at first he just silently threw and now there's a lot of back and forth and idea sharing and such.
the videos with Michael are always a 10/10
I mean, the videos without Michael are already a consistent 9,8/10, but he really is the cherry on top the Tod Cutler Cake
My guess is that the shorter string fits Michael's optimised throwing technique pushing through his action and aiding distance. Whereas perhaps Tod's action tends to go through at a lower angle so the longer string causing the javelin to leave at a higher angle actually helps Tod's throws.
I think you are right
@@tods_workshop Cheers Tod. Loving this series!
i agree i think because he knows how to throw the Javelin at the correct angle he can take advantage of the amount of torque produced from the short string but i think an unseasoned thrower would end up throwing very short and towards the ground because of the lack of experience getting the right angle and the short string would naturally try and pull the forward part of the javelin groundward!
'I'd rather have a plumbata'. Michael has evolved into a full legionary since the beginning of this series :)
It is legionary. Legionnaires are FFL.
@@johnwright7895 Ha, sorry! Thanks for correcting me.
😂
Michael's insights and experimentation in this one were fantastic to watch :) Those fletched javelins are great stuff.
"Michael's insights and experimentation in this one were fantastic to watch" He's definitely becoming good at it.
Tod, how about using Michael to test out the power of the overarm spear thrust? If you remember a few years back Thrand put out a theory that the reason we see overarm spear use in classical and medieval sources is because they used it in a gigging motion - essentially a small throw where they let the shaft slide through the hand and the momentum of the spear did all the damage, but could also pull it back afterwards as long as it didn't get stuck. Michael seems like the perfect person to test out how much damage a strong warrior could do with a spear used this way.
Just lovely to see how much more comfortable Michael has become throwing things on KZhead compared to his first appearance. Openly giving a lot more opinions and insight to the experiments now.
I really hope he is studying at least some Classics at his university - the professors there should be salivating to talk to him, someone who may now be the modern-day practical expert at pilum and plumbata.
As kids we threw "Dutch" arrows. A knotted string was wrapped around the arrow and held by the hand
Do you know we did that when i was a kid as well, back in the early 1950s with the dutch arrows.
I find it hilarious that Michael's training kicks in when he reaches the "foul line" you have set-up. He tries so hard to not step across it. :)
what a nice way to end the spear throwing season with Michael. i think this one was my favorite
This is experimental archeology and I love it.
I really enjoy seeing you using Michael as a modern Javalin thrower, throwing all kinds of historical weapons. I look forward to next year and seeing what you have come up with. I also love the collaboration with Mark Easton and Weird Weapons, excellent work Tod.
Michael is a g for participating in the show. It's so clutch to see an actually skilled thrower trying these weapons.
Will there be a Tod Cutler range of historically accurate throwing-rocks? Michael has been a great sport in these videos. The "casual" way he throws those big, fetched javelins is really impressive. I read (I can't remember where) that, when the Conquistadors were being beastly in America, they left off most of their metal armour, and only retained their padding and their metal helmets. The plate armour was overkill against the local's wood and stone weapons. However, a rock to an unprotected skull could still lay a man low. Heavy Metal vs Hard Rock.
Thanks
If I recall correctly, they had discovered that the native armor was about as effective against firearms as thier plate, lighter and allowed greater freedom of movement. So yea, they went with what worked better.
It is true, leather armor became quite popular especially for mounted troops. Soldiers would go back full of arrows but the bows didn't have the power to penetrate
@@dantreadwell7421if i rememver correctly during the spanish conquest of the aztec empire thete was a battle between 2 Spanish forces where Cortés' men where dressed in local soft armour in the battle of Cempoala due to the fact that it was lighter and what you where wearing was rather un-important when faced with spanish artillery instead of local archers. This also greatly increased their marching pace which lead to narvaez not believing his scouts when they told him the distance cortes was advancing each day. And subsequently let to them being ambushed unexpectedly at night.
According to Ralph Payne Gallwey (the book of the crossbow) the string on the throwing arrow goes in place of the hand at the balance point with the hand far forward of center. I've thrown many of these. experiment by throwing your javelin while not holding onto it as long... as the throw begins, release the hand and let the string do the work. Holding on to the javelin too long slows it down... This is key. Let the string do the work. When you get the throw correct you could potentially double your distance.
Love the idea that you've gotten a top notch javelin thrower for the spear throwing portion, perhaps a cricketer for the next "man throws rock"?
A baseball player would also be intimidating to have hurling rocks at you.
@@thechumpsbeendumped.7797 Much more likely to find a cricketer in Blighty.
@@fantabuloussnuffaluffagus Agreed but there are 40 baseball clubs spread around the country (thanks Google) so not hard to find one near you. A comparison of the 2 techniques and power would be interesting.
Hmmm - food for thought there
Former baseball centerfielder here. (No, not famous) If you're not familiar with baseball, a centerfielder often has to throw as quickly as he can and as hard as he can, while maintaining target accuracy of a couple of square feet over a 200 foot throw. Elite centerfielders can do that at 300 feet. This was before centerfielder throws were gunned, so I never knew how fast I threw, but I was considered good in the schools and leagues I played in, and I practiced every day during the season and took pride in it. Good baseball pitchers are orders of magnitude better at throwing the ball faster than a centerfielder, btw. My point: Baseballs are about 5 ounces and I think Cricket balls are only fractionally heavier, still in the 5-6 oz range. I think Tod said that the "rocks" were 3/4 pound, so 12 ounces. When I was competing in bball, throwing a ball twice as heavy as a baseball, as hard as I could, would have injured me. I can almost feel it now. Muscles, ligaments, tendons under stress that they weren't trained for. Just be careful. I know you and your team know all of this Best Regards and I love your content.
God damn I love this series! I hope Todd will find many more things to have him throw.
I have some plans for next year.....
11:51 Michael trying not to laugh is absolute gold.
I love this series!!! Both humans are a delight and masters at their craft. I ve always loved throwing stuff myself, but thinking about a guy like Michael throwing rocks at you is terrifying as hell!! I bet if a few hundred legionars start throwing rocks in unison people going to die or get incapacitated - you dont need accuracy when you have a few hundred people throwing rocks. Imagine trying to breach a fortified roman position and as you the reach the outer ramparts stones start raining down on you from elevated positions. Climbing while holding up a shield? Bring Michael back! There is much more stuff to throw!!
Standing in line is not my thing, but my goodness seeing those rocks landing makes me really not want to be standing in that line with Micheal, Michaels or similar at the other end on the arc
@@tods_workshop I would be very interested to see what happens if michael throws those standard rocks up and onto something like a shield or a helmet. I bet even with a full helmet getting hit by such a rock will end with a concussion at best. Hard to find assistents for that job i guess..
Thank you Michael for taking time out of your schedule to come hang out with Tod and take part in experimental archaeological. 👍👍
As a person that has practiced a lot with the throwing strap/amentum/ankyle I think i should throw my two cents (or perhaps pence?). The throwing strap is most useful in light and shorter javelins especially the types with too thin a shaft to grasp properly (about 1 cm in diameter). There are several ways to use them but I find that using the middle and index finger together to pull them are much more effective than the index finger alone. Also a thick end knot is more effective than an end loop since the fingers cannot get tangled around the knot. There are 3 basic ways to use them. -A longer strap which runs from the point of balance almost to the tail end of the shaft (or the fletchings, when fitted on the shaft. ). This method is optimized for distance and power. The trick is to hold the shaft with the palm on the javelin's point of balance and throw almost horizontally instead of 45 degrees to horizontal. As Michael realized in the video the strap pulls the tail downwards and the tip upwards resulting in a upwards throw. If the javelin flies too high (more than 45 degrees upwards) the string should be shortened. -A shorter strap which runs from the point of balance almost to the front end of the shaft This method is optimized for power rather than distance. The trick is to hold the shaft with the palm right under the point of the javelin and throw 45 degrees to horizontal. This type of throw is the closest to throwing the javelin without a strap. -A strap which is wrapped around the shaft once. In this case, the string should be wrapped around the point of balance. This is the fiddliest method but once you get it right it provides the best accuracy possible. More than one wraparounds are possible but are useful only for very light and short javelins.
Thanks so much for these insights. I understand the idea behind throwing flat and the javelin arcing high, but I assume it has to loose lots of energy (distance) in the process of bucking. But TBH this was a thing I had not thought about, so I really thank you for that. One for next year. I see you have a channel; any of your vids you can recommend particularly relevant to your points, which are all very interesting.
@@tods_workshop I am no expert in physics but I regularly practice throwing with the short javelins of the γρόσφος/grosphos/veruta/hasta velitaris (about 3feet-1m with 1-1.5 cm thick shaft, point of balance 3/5ths from the tail end) which is described by Polybius of Megalopolis as the favored javelin of the Greco-Thracian peltasts and Roman velites. The javelin you use in this video is more akin to the longer (5-7 feet without any visible fletching but of unknown balance point and weight) Greek Olympic javelin, the μεσάγκυλον/mesankylon. For this larger javelin the 3rd method and a variant of the 2nd method are clearly illustrated in several Greek vases. I do not have extensive practice with such a javelin (since the weight and balance would be pure guesswork) so the 1st method may be unworkable in this case. There are several articles online, such as "Throwing the Javelin" by E. N. Gardiner "Efficacy of the Ankyle in Increasing the Distance of the Ancient Greek Javelin Throw" and "Throwing the Greek Dory: How Effective is the Attached Ankyle at Increasing the Distance of the Throw?" by Steven Ross Murray.
In the USA the solid atlatl is a spear-thrower (or the Mayan word hul'che); in Australia, it was called a woomera (also solid and stiff) and used for throwing spears with greater force. The ancient Greeks and Romans used a leather thong or loop, known as an ankule (or amentum). I think maybe the stiffer version would give slightly better control over the trajectory?
Though it makes a little more sense to think of the atlatl, kinematically, as an additional "forearm" - which seems slightly different from this kind of leverage?
I agree with Mark. They are superficially similar but there are some differences
That is an interesting thought! A leather thong or tightly chorded rope could be made quite stiff or completely soft. I wonder how similar these weapon systems are in terms of mechanics. Its easier to see the "logic" of an atlatl driving the dart for longer, but is that not the essencd what the string does as well?
Great content for the curious, as useful. Those stone throws looked pretty painful too btw. 🙈
I love how we've seen Michael go from quietly throwing these strange old weapons this odd dude keeps making to confidently contributing to the experimental archaeology. I hope it's as rewarding for him as for us viewers.
Man throws rock against one of those anatomy gel dummies would be interesting
I second that!
International level javelin thrower & medieval weapons? What's there not to like! Great stuff as always!
Thanks Michael for all the cool videos we've had so far. Good on you for focusing on your studies and we all hope to see you back when you've got the time.
Michael, thanks for coming by! And great tidings for your season ahead, both scholastically and athletically. Tod, on the "string"; have you thought about using the string more like an atlatl? Using a string that puts a pocket that is fitted to the butt of the spear? Btw, Michael, I think we will need you back again, soon!
For reasons I don't understand, light arrows and a string that is connected at the back and held at the front go best and I just couldn't get these to go with a string connected right at the back
Well done. Wish Michael a good year and hope he comes back for more in the future, he's turning into a very good tester. These tests might also give you the information you need to get your spearthrowing ability for the trebuchet workable.
Love these! Michael is a fantastic guy for helping. Love this channel.
We used to make throwing arrows when i was a kid back in the sixties. Our string hooked on a grove we would cut just in front on the fletchings, and we hold the arrow closer to the front. The string stayed with us not the arrow. Man we had so much fun. We would throw them from one field then back again. Watching Michael throw these makes me want to leave my armchair and give it a go.😊
yes me did exactly the same , we kept the string they would go miles
Thank you so much Michael for your contributions to these films and for helping shed some very interesting light on some very interesting subjects. Thank you, and we wish you all the best for uni, and hope to see you again in the future!
These videos with Michael are always a treat. Thank you both for the content.
When I was a kid we made scotch arrows. These are arrows thrown in the same way as these javelins. The difference is that we had a small notch near the fletchings. The strap had a knotted end which held it in the notch when it was looped over it. The strap was almost the length of the arrow so you held the arrow about 75mm from the point. When the arrow was thrown the knotted end released so you retrained the strap. You certainly don't want a bit of string hanging off your arrow like you are seeing with the javelins.
Looks like you and Michael had fun doing that testing. He would be deadly with a spear of any sort. Wish Michael all the best in his school and training this year.
Here for the bonus content! It would be interesting to see you throw one with and without the strap for a side by side comparison to see if they noticeably level the playing field between skill levels.
That was my initial thought as well. Maybe it's there to help those who can't throw as well overcome some limits.
This might just be the way the videos have been edited. But it looks like Michael has progressed a whole lot, during this video series, and he feels more comfortable, with being on camera. In the first few videos he did a great job of doing "what he was there for", but he didn't say much. Then he gradually began saying more, and elaborated, when ever directly asked a question. But in this one, he seamed completely comfortable. He made remarks, without being prompted to do so. He came with elaborate explanations, that led to conversation. And he even took initiative to suggest, what the next course of action should be, and how to further the experiment. I don't know why, but I find watching Michael "mature" on camera, has been at least as, if not more interesting, then the experiments them selves. I hope Michael is just as comfortable in his studies, and has progressed just as much. I wish him the best of luck with studying. Tod really made a great choice, initially getting this young man to help out, showing how these weapons might have been used. And I really hope, if Michael is interested. That he will be a more frequent visitor. Maybe even for experiments that does not require the use of hist throwing arm. He is clearly a bright lad. Enlightening content as always.
I would love to see the comparison of the strap throw vs an atlatl. I don't know how they fit in Roman and medieval Europe, but I think it would be interesting to see what affect it has with a skilled thrower like Michael. Keep making great content!
I was just thinking the same thing after seeing Michael's comments
HOLY SH*T, you mad lad actually brought back the knights clubbing Hoodie. Big love my friend!
The strap and how Michael holds it reminds me a lot of the Atl-Atl. Mechanically I imagine it does much the same.
Similar, but there are some differences to the mechanics of what is going on I believe
So much fun watching Michael throw. Its like you can imagine them being hurled into an opposing army before the melee.
Pass our thanks to Michael ! His participation in those tests is much appreciated
For your rock throwing tests, you should get a skilled baseball pitcher or outfielder. They train the most at throwing hard. A skilled outfielder can throw from the fence to home plate.
Shad reduced melee weapons to 'stick', now we have Tod going back to 'rock'
"a spear is a more technologically advanced than a rock".. I mean, yes, but it's as close as it gets, considering a spear starts as pointy stick, then starts evolving as rock@stick
@@walkir2662 Sure, i suppose the boundary is near between fabricating or being able to find it in nature. Like bashing sticks and throwing rocks you can pickup anywhere, but a good pointy stick you probably need to harden or sharpen at least.
I love this so much!
Just awesome !!! Thanks to you guys.
Another great one, thank you!
Awesome video. All the best for the future Michael!
Awesome material, thanks Tod and Michael.
Thanks guys
Fun episode, as always!
Great video. Love learning about these kinds of things.
I like this "living history" and the collaboration of a weapons expert who knows the theory with a young athlete who actually has the skill and strength to push the weapon to its limit is very powerful. And Michael can correct and improve the theory again.
Great cooperation as always.
Good stuff as always.
"Shorter is better, especially when you're going hard" Preach brother, preach.
Nice job, guys
Loving everything with young javelin chap! 👍
I get giddy watching Michael throw. It's like watching a Greek hero or Olympian on an HD camera!
Cool. Thanks mate
Oh snap, Michael is back! 🥳
Love the sound of the fletching on those
Amazing how Michael transformed into being so at ease in front of the camera, lovely! His input is valuable. I wonder if the text also provides a distance that the soldier needs to be able to throw?
It is always a good day when you guys throw stuff at stuff. Love you.
Good stuff, gentlemen.
Coolness factor 100. That thing looks awesome 👏
Michael is love, Michael is life ❤
This is so interesting! I love these practical tests
Experimental archaeology is always fun to witness but even more so with two so enjoyable characters hunting for truth. Totally agree.
Thank you - both and we really enjoy it too
Always an awesome video with Michael in it. I love this series of exploring old weapons and how they would have been used.
Thx a lot to Michael for doing these films and all the best for his studies.
"Man throws rock" *Desire to play Mount and Blade intensifies*
As always ,very good.
I love this experimenting to figure out what works, and why. Especially with non-mass produced items, it's harder to be consistent. It does come down to skill, but also knowing what you need to do differently just on feel alone.
This collaboration is so great - enjoy you both.
Many thanks to Tod and Michael for the wonderful content. Always great quality and very entertaining. Thank you.
Michael is a beast! Great Video!
Always interesting to see what you are up to, and always a pleasure seeing Michael's arm at work..
Very interesting, well done
Thank God we have Michael.
Love the noise the javelin makes as it is thrown
Love seeing Michael becoming a staple of the channel! Best of luck to him in school and life!
Mike is a phenomenal demonstrator. His technique is so natural!
Always great content!
The wobbling sound from the throws is lovely, almost cartoonish. It's always fascinating when the popular media turns out to be (even remotely) right about random details like this, much to everyone's surprise.
Well done Michael. Thank you for your time and interest in these historical videos. We appreciate you. Good luck at uni!
Good luck in your academic and sporting year Michael, and thanks for your part in this series of films.
So glad you've been able to experiment with Michael's throwing expertise. It adds a whole different dimension to the ideas and usage of spears, javelins, and now, rocks.
I love experimental archaeology /history. Great series!
Remember making these 'Dutch Arrows' as a kid in the early 70's. We carved a small notch up near the fletching (playing cards slotted into a cross cut) and looped a knotted string around it. Then pulled the string tight down the length of the arrow to then loop it around the palm below the 4 fingers of the hand. They went bloody miles as well.
When I was about 13 we used to throw longer archery arrows using just a piece of string with a knot in one end. We used it like the fletched javelin but used to hold onto the string. The knot would be at placed where the strap is being located and the string would warp over the knot and held in tension. We could throw these arrows about three times as far as by hand.
Rock to the torso 😮
These studies and analysis is awesome. This provides a lot of understanding to the technologies and how it worked as well as effectiveness. Love these.
It was interesting to see a corded javelin in action as I am reading Warlock by Wilbur Smith where corded javelins were used by the Egyptians in the story. It also brought to mind the throwing aides used by the Australian Aboriginals comprising a flat section of bark with a bone or timber pin at one end and a weight at the other end. the pin was then inserted inthe end of the spear with the spear laying on the bark. The item is known as a womera, which is also the name of the town in South Australia where rockets were launched. Thanks again for the great video.
Much of what Michael is describing about throwing is exactly how we throw the atlatl. That's really what the string is, a lever. An extension of the arm, if you will.
Michael ahs really grown into the whole relaxing research thing!
Glad to see you found a proper legionary for weapons testing.
Thank you for your help Michael, it was great seeing the difference in pro vs joe throwing.