This page is part of the official ARCHIVE COPY of the pioneering but abandoned Thrower website on knife throwing. Copyright and details

Pictures of Bolas from
William Patterson


Picture One
The first photo is Bola 11. It is the current bola and works very well. I use a 3 braid ersatz sinew used by reenactors. It is somewhat more pliable than the cord used by the real hunters and may be more prone to tangles. The length should be so that the balls are held in the off hand and the handle is over the chest. The bola is thrown in one swing, otherwise it will tangle and not open.
picture two The second photo is bola 12. It is a close up of the knit about the handle. the Loop is removed from the handle and the balls are pulled sharply. The knit comes undone and the weapon is ready. When the bola is open, never pick up the handle without holding the weights. Otherwise it will tangle. Note: I have no historical evidence that this is the exact way the system works. Its the only way I can carry the bola without horrible tangles. I know that the bola was knit in some fashion, this seems the logical way. Perhaps the cord used was much less pliable and could be carried with less caution.
picture three

The third photo bola 13 is an actual photo taken at the Skagway museum. It is an eskimo bola without a handle.


Mail to mjr, goto Bolas, Survival, or back to Thrower

This page is part of the official ARCHIVE COPY of the pioneering but abandoned Thrower website on knife throwing. Copyright and details