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Red osier arrows

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stringstretcher:
I will be getting some red osier shoots soon, and would love to hear about your process of making them into arrows.  How do you dry them, when to take the bark off, straightening, and on and on.  Would love to see some finished pictures if anyone has some also.  Take me through your process...................

artcher1:
I like to leave the bark on for two or three months after cutting and then heat straighten Charles. This leaves just enough moisture under the bark to help create steam which makes the initial straightening process much easier. From there, I will scrape off the bark and continue to heat/and straighten the shaft with my propane torch between each reduction (if needed).

Green wood doesn't scrape very well but once you heat temper the wood it'll work more like season wood. So heat your shaft up good and scrape down to the green wood again. Repeat the process until you get the shaft down to the correct diameter. After your final heat straightening I would suggest you put the shaft back for a spell to futher season out. You will be amazed what a year or two of seasoning will do for these shafts.ART

sailordad:
hi charles ;D

heres a pic of a couple of arrows and some shafts i have straightened



and one of the points


the arrow on the left with the point  and the one that is notched without a point are actually wild rose shafts,but all the other
shafts are red osier
they take heat well

i do as artcher1,dry for 2-3 months,then scrape and straighten.
i use a can of sterno for heat straightening though and not a torch.

stringstretcher:
Thanks Art and sailordad.  That will get me off on the right track I am sure. 

DanaM:
I scrape the bark off immediately, its much easier. Then rubberband them in bundles to dry.
Cut the shoots long and thicker than you think, at least 1/2" at the fat end.
After their dry and somewhat straight I use one of them $5 thumb planes to reduce them.
Also take the time to work at straightening them while thier green, do a little bit everyday if ya can.

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