Song: Immigrant Song
Group: Led Zeppelin
As I am still awaiting my black high strength para-cord to firmly secure
the spearhead to the shaft...
I decided to lay down the underlying friction tape of the final wrapping of the spear.
My wide angle headlamp will arrive tomorrow...
and the para-cord should arrive by the end of next week.
The spear is perfectly functional now...
but I want to be certain it is as solid as can be.
I have a large supply of athletic tape for a variety of reasons.
It is the perfect tape for this spear.
As you can see...
the hard wood of the shaft had come with a thick layer of lacquer to protect
the wood from the elements.
However...
this makes the wood rather slippery...
especially with sweaty or bloody hands.
And so...
I wrapped certain parts of the shaft using a cross hatch style of wrapping.
I had first wrapped the area over which I will wrap the spearhead
to the shaft.
This will provide plenty of friction for the para-cord to securely grip the shaft.
I then measured my handholds on the shaft for optimum placement.
I wanted these two spots...
the top most for my lead hand...
and the rear most for my rear hand.
The reason for this particular placement is to allow distance
from the snapping jaws of a large predator...
while allowing the rear forearm to lock the spear to my lower lats.
This way...
I will have optimum distance without sacrificing the security of the spear...
as large predators would attempt to wrestle the spear out of my hands
by biting down on the shaft and shaking its head...
using its whole body weight.
I left the center portion smooth by design.
There is a particularly fast and repeatable strike...
a cue strike...
where I would allow the spear shaft to slide back and forth inside of my fore grip
as I thrust forwards with my rear hand
(for fast shallow strikes to vulnerable areas such as the legs or neck...
not for deep penetration).
So...
I want to have a smooth surface in the middle to allow for this.
The rear hand I would never relax...
as in the retracted position...
it would lock in the spear.
Each handhold is optimally placed for full extension and retraction in mind.
I will be ordering a butt end for the spear.
I will hopefully be able to find a pointed end...
as pack predators will want to surround its prey.
This way I will be able to attack in two directions...
forwards and to the rear...
in rapid succession.
It would also prevent a predator from biting down on the rear end of the shaft.
And for use as a walking stick...
I could plant the end firmly in place before placing my weight upon it...
preventing it from sliding out of place...
and me...
from crashing to the ground.
It will be especially valuable on icy ground.
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Although we have had some very beautiful days...
lately...
it has periodically lightly rained for but a very short while...
but once this happens...
I cannot cover the decks until I have several days of sunny weather.
And so...
it may be a while before I can complete the second deck.
However...
as always...
I have many mini projects to work on...
good weather or bad.
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