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Cane arrows better than dowel?

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Arthur Herrmann:
I was thinking about how difficult it is to make good arrows out of dowel. I have a hard time getting dowels that have similar spine and weight. I read about this guy who only gets about 18 arrows from 100 dowel. That takes time, money, and energy that I do not have.

Does cane produce a more consistent spine and wieght? With cane you don't have to worry about the grain running off the wood to many times. If I could use a local kind of cane, if I was picky about size, I would like to get them in similar spine and weight.

Also, what is the truth with the people of the site and their arrows? Come on, I am not the only tempted by arrowwoods.com. $35 bucks for a dozen shafts within 5 pounds spine and 10 grains of each other, that is not a bad deal. All I am saying is that making dowel arrows is so difficult and discouraging to begginers that maybe buying shafts is not such a bad idea. I don't think I am the only one cheating.

Pat B:
Cane is more forgiving arrow in relation to spine because of it's natural taper and quick recovery but they are time consuming to make. I enjoy my time making arrows from cane and hardwood shoots. The way I look at it is I have until next hunting season to get enough arrows made.
  There is no problem with buying shafts if that is what you would prefer to do. There is going to be an amount of work with any shafting you use before you have arrows.

sailordad:
only arrow shaft i have ever bought were carbon fiber
all others i either cut myself(red osier) or trade for cane.
never tried a dowl yet.

ricktrojanowski:
Arthur
Buying matched shafts from a dealer is a much easier way to go.  You will get really nice arrows from them with a fair amount of work.  If you go to a cane shaft that you can get for free you save yourself some good money.  But the amount of work is much greater.  Also the spine and weight will vary quite a bit given the same diameter.  But if you cut a bunch you will get some that match quite well.  The cane will shoot better. But more importantly, you will probably get a much greater feeling of satisfaction from making the arrows with "natural" materials.  I used to make all of my arrows from bought shafts, and I think it was a good way to learn.  Now I am making them from shoots, and cane.  I can't see going back to the bought shafts.  It isn't nearly as much fun.  The most important thing is to do what you enjoy.

D. Tiller:
I just started making my doweling with a special taper tool. Works great! Also, try tapering the shafts from the midpoint back and make them around 3/8ths Wide and taper to 11/32". Should help reduce archers paradox.

I find when you make them yourself they always are better than store bought stuff! Plus its good for your soul and the pocket book!

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