Is There Video of an African Spear Being Turned into a Homemade, Giant Crossbow? You Better Believe It!
- Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:07pm by
Liz Klimas
- Print »
- Email »
What do you get when you introduce the Slingshot Channel guy to a traditional African assegai spear? Pretty much a transformation from a steel spearhead and stick to a “rubber powered and ‘chambered’” spear-throwing crossbow.
Sprave holding the assagai (Image: YouTube screenshot)
The fully outfitted crossbow with assegai loaded. (Image: YouTube screenshot)
Perhaps more aptly put, Gizmodo calls it“the Craziest Crazy Weapon he’s ever Crazied.” The YouTube description calls it the “biggest crossbow that is still somewhat portable.”
First, Joerg Sprave shows how the spear is traditionally used — stabbing and throwing. He humbly admits he’s not very good at throwing it and moves on to what he is good at: transforming an already deadly weapon into something even more intimidating.
First, to cock the giant crossbow weapon custom built by Sprave. Put the bungee cord around the tree to help stabilize the weapon. Straddle the contraption walking backward as the heavy-duty rubber bands — 200-pound draw weight — are pulled into place.
(Image: YouTube screenshot)
Now, load the assegai muzzle-style into the weapon. Point the weapon toward the target and shoot. As you might expect, Sprave’s shot using his giant crossbow slingshot was far better than his manual spear throwing.
(Image: YouTube screenshot)
(Image: YouTube screenshot)
His straw-filled arrow target not being test enough of his machine’s ability, Sprave tries it out on a wooden trunk. How did it go? Well, let’s just say Sprave had to put the trunk on the ground and use his body weight to keep it steady as he struggled to remove the steel spearhead.
(Image: YouTube screenshot)
Watch the episode for yourself:
The assegai, according to Sprave, was developed by Shaka of Zulu, an African tribe. Much to his pleasure, he points out that the Zulu’s call it “the beautiful stabbing.”
Comments (32)
Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 697 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 529 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 355 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 353 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 347 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 347 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 355 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 267 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 347 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Raven249
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 12:25amLooks like almost a lightweight ballista.
Report Post »N-TIME-WATCHER
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 10:51pmI’ve watched his videos before and he does some pretty amazing things. Say what you will about the guy but he makes a mean sling-shot.
Report Post »N-TIME-WATCHER
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 10:48pmI’ve watched his videos before on YouTube. Say what you will but he makes a mean sling-shot!
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 1:00pmIt’s NOT deadly…it’s NOT A GUN! An auto isn’t deadly….it’s not a gun! A machette‘ isn’t deadly…IT’S NOT A GUN! Cyanide isn’t deadly…it’s NOT A GUN!
Report Post »Longslide7
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:29pmFYI The smaller version is called a “sling bow”
Report Post »http://falconslingbows.webs.com/
chingachgook
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 5:49pmjust silly all you need are rocks and sticks. And rubber bands??????????
Report Post »Patrick Henry II
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 5:48pmGreat defense weapon. The only problem I see is that the spear could be used against you after use. Neat.
Report Post »jakartaman
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 5:37pmWhen the ammo runs out we may need some of his stuff!!
Report Post »Wolfgang the Gray
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 8:22pmSwords will come back in style. You could run up and slash this guy before he could get the thing cocked.
Report Post »lylejk
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:58pmI like seeing the things this guy comes up with. :)
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:46pmCool hobby, building things that are unique and new, but with a primal attraction for such things. Tools, weapons, cars, planes. Never mind that they will never be used by any other than the hobbist.
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 5:01pmso what,that is why we are called hobbyist, not everything we build is for sale, there are a lot of times we make one off’s,who cares if they never get sold or used by anyone else than the makers, and yes we are a different bred,we don’t follow the heard,we go it alone, i don’t make weapons,but i have made a few,i mostly build wooden trucks,cars and tractors, a lot of work and a lot of alone time and i like it that way,
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:44pma little longer shank,and i bet you could get a lot of commie skanks in one shot,
Report Post »chips1
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 5:15pmA Skank-a-bob.
Report Post »RamonPreston
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:23pmShisk-a-bama
Report Post »ginger100
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:43pmJust wondering if that would fit on my wrist, hmmm
Report Post »chips1
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 5:17pmThe Japanese are working on it as we speak.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:35pmSomething that will work just as good: Javalin with an atl-atl accesory, a bit of practice and its good to hunt with.
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 1:03pmIran is working on one too! It’ll work as good as the last two rockets!
Report Post »OniKaze
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:29pmI love “nutty” weapons…
As I have said in the Past… I am a Kung-fu instructor, and I specialize in weapons (kung-fu has a plethora of weapons, of ALL varieties…) so I am ALWAYS fascinated by weapons…
This is cool, to say the least… Silly, but cool…. Why go to this effort? A good competition slingshot with some patchinko balls (1/4″ to 1/2″ steel bearings) is plenty fatal when you hit someone in the head, and MUCH more portable….
Firearms work well to…. Not that I would know anything about that…. ;-)
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:27pmI could party with this dude.
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:48pmhe has had way to many shrooms in his life time, i bet he hardly ever sleeps,his brain is going so fast with all of this crazy weapon designs. need him for a neighbor,
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:22pmHow by definition is this contraption called a crossbow?
Report Post »SovereignSoul
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 5:18pm…and, he did not turn the spear into a crossbow. He built a contraption to propel the spear. Stupid misleading headlines!
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 12:45amIt’s more like a giant hawaiian Sling
Report Post »MrSunshine
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:21pmI think I’ll stick with a B.A.R.
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:16pmHey JZS,
I know what you are thinking.
But trust me…………
If you outlaw giant spear shooting crossbows……….only outlaws will have giant spear shooting crossbows.
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:42pmha,ha,ha, damn that is good, ha,ha,ha, thanks for the laugh.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 5:03pmNow Billy,
That’s just too damn funny but, I‘m afraid JZS won’t get it. : )
Report Post »v15
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:15pmHolley Mangold’s toothpick was just turned into a crossbow spear!!
Report Post »SREGN
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:15pmI bet it could go through Obama, Holder, Pelosi, and Reid in one shot. Don’t believe me? Line ‘em up…
Report Post »OniKaze
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 4:30pmI’ll take that bet… Now, go get them, and we shall test your thesis…
Report Post »