Javelin shafts are used in the making of javelins through the Fletching skill. 15 javelin shafts can be cut from regular logs at Fletching level 3 by using a knife on them, granting 5 Fletching experience.
Attaching javelin heads to javelin shafts will turn them into javelins. Javelin shafts are used to create all of the javelins; the only changing component is the type of javelin head (e.g. bronze, rune, etc.).