Making an Aputu

VANDOO · 27th April 2013, 04:29 AM

OTHER FINISHING TOOLS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE DEPENDING ON THE TRIBES LOCATION. 1.(SALT WATER OR RIVER MOUTHS) SHARK SKIN FOR SANDING AND SHARK TEETH FOR CUTTING AND CARVING. A BILLFISH BILL ALSO MAKES A GOOD FILE.
2. (FRESH WATER)PARAHINA TEETH AND OTHER FISH TEETH COULD ALSO BE USED. THE SCALES OF THE GIANT ARAPAIMA FISH MAKE GOOD FILES AND ARE STILL USED TO FILE FINGERNAILS AS WELL AS OTHER THINGS TODAY. HERE IS A PICTURE OF A 15 FOOT 4 INCH ARAPAIMA NOTE THE LARGE THICK SCALES, ONE FISH YEALDS A LARGE SUPPLY OF SCALES AND MEAT.
I AM GLAD YOU ARE AWARE OF THE POSINOUS QUALITY OF THE WOOD DUST. MANY TYPES OF EXOTIC WOODS CAN BE DANGEROUS.

KuKulzA28 · 28th April 2013, 01:34 AM

Good points Vandoo.

Started to cut/chisel out the sides today. Haven't finished the flare at the pommel and the handle needs to be narrower and not so rough. Then I need to smooth it all out and make the surfaces concave. Still unsure if I am going to carve it with designs, and if so, what kind. There's a few examples of carved aputu, some with very complex designs. I'm thinking I might just let it be... my carving skills aren't great and most aputu I've seen pictures of are plain.

Anyone have information on the meanings behind the designs?

KuKulzA28 · 5th May 2013, 12:43 AM

Completed... I think? Used rasp, plane, sandpaper... and then 3 coats of tung oil...

Not as fine as the aputu made by the natives themselves, but I'll get there.

Anyone who owns one... how do they handle? I find my reproduction feels "OK". Not great, the handle certainly would NOT roll in the hand because of the rectangular shape, and it'd be hard to lose because of the flaring butt... however it's not particularly comfortable.

Anyways, I think this came out decent... I look forward to making better examples, with more concavity on the faces like some of the old clubs. Maybe I'll even add in a metal or stone spike/ax to the club someday....

Comments? Suggestions?

27th April 2013, 04:29 AM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	OTHER FINISHING TOOLS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE DEPENDING ON THE TRIBES LOCATION. 1.(SALT WATER OR RIVER MOUTHS) SHARK SKIN FOR SANDING AND SHARK TEETH FOR CUTTING AND CARVING. A BILLFISH BILL ALSO MAKES A GOOD FILE. 2. (FRESH WATER)PARAHINA TEETH AND OTHER FISH TEETH COULD ALSO BE USED. THE SCALES OF THE GIANT ARAPAIMA FISH MAKE GOOD FILES AND ARE STILL USED TO FILE FINGERNAILS AS WELL AS OTHER THINGS TODAY. HERE IS A PICTURE OF A 15 FOOT 4 INCH ARAPAIMA NOTE THE LARGE THICK SCALES, ONE FISH YEALDS A LARGE SUPPLY OF SCALES AND MEAT. I AM GLAD YOU ARE AWARE OF THE POSINOUS QUALITY OF THE WOOD DUST. MANY TYPES OF EXOTIC WOODS CAN BE DANGEROUS. Attached Images

28th April 2013, 01:34 AM	#2
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Good points Vandoo. Started to cut/chisel out the sides today. Haven't finished the flare at the pommel and the handle needs to be narrower and not so rough. Then I need to smooth it all out and make the surfaces concave. Still unsure if I am going to carve it with designs, and if so, what kind. There's a few examples of carved aputu, some with very complex designs. I'm thinking I might just let it be... my carving skills aren't great and most aputu I've seen pictures of are plain. Anyone have information on the meanings behind the designs? Attached Images

5th May 2013, 12:43 AM	#3
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Completed... I think? Used rasp, plane, sandpaper... and then 3 coats of tung oil... Not as fine as the aputu made by the natives themselves, but I'll get there. Anyone who owns one... how do they handle? I find my reproduction feels "OK". Not great, the handle certainly would NOT roll in the hand because of the rectangular shape, and it'd be hard to lose because of the flaring butt... however it's not particularly comfortable. Anyways, I think this came out decent... I look forward to making better examples, with more concavity on the faces like some of the old clubs. Maybe I'll even add in a metal or stone spike/ax to the club someday.... Comments? Suggestions? Attached Images