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Hazel longbow, 100# @ 28"

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WillS:
They used all sorts of profiles in order to make each shaft as good as possible.  Some are parallel, some are bobtailed (this isn't a straight taper but more like the shape of a trumpet) some are barrelled, saddled, chested etc etc.  There is no one "medieval" arrow shape.

I do mine with a knife or block plane if I'm turning the shafts by hand the traditional way, or a small belt sander if I'm doing them quickly.  My method with hardware shop dowels is to flex them to get a rough idea, weigh them and group them and then taper them depending on the individual weight and rough spine.  If a shaft is very dense and stiff I'll bobtail them, if it's quite whippy and light I'll keep them full width as long as possible. 

FilipT:

--- Quote from: WillS on October 31, 2017, 03:32:47 pm ---My method with hardware shop dowels is to flex them to get a rough idea, weigh them and group them and then taper them depending on the individual weight and rough spine.  If a shaft is very dense and stiff I'll bobtail them, if it's quite whippy and light I'll keep them full width as long as possible.
--- End quote ---

I will do as you described, although I will use my spine tester as I don't know the feel of spine by hand. Tomorrow I am hopefully buying heat gun and can finally correct the bow.

Would you say that 40 mm of reflex is too excessive? That is what happened with bow, together with going to the side. It lost very little moisture in last few weeks but it still got deformed. Can't say I am happy about it.

FilipT:
Where do you guys get feathers for your arrows? I looked at ebay, put the filter for the free international shipping and got a lot of results.
Would this type of feathers suffice, I mean could I make fletchings from them?

Here are goose feathers:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/50pcs-Beautiful-natural-goose-feathers-6-8-inches-15-20-cm-color-black/311990653681?hash=item48a41792f1:g:FuoAAOSwm9tZ2oiT

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wholesale-20-1000pcs-Natural-goose-feather-15-20cm-6-8inches-24-Colors/112312038670?hash=item1a2651b50e:m:mPYFxNSsHmFi1CNPkr5PjBg

https://www.ebay.com/itm/500-pcs-natural-goose-Feather-15-20cm-6-8-inches-Various-Colours/172913648829?hash=item284274e4bd:m:mkKwBaUaCOBCTVHeGz6b0ZA

Turkey feathers
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wholesale-5-100-PCS-high-quality-25-30cm-10-12-Turkey-feather/112319760792?hash=item1a26c78998:m:mBPLC80SupH8RFl_pM48NpQ

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wholesale-10-100pcs-precious-wild-turkey-tail-feathers-4-12inches-10-30cm/252730898963?hash=item3ad7ef7a13:m:msTJe7nkGe6iSCvKaz3ZyJg

JNystrom:
Look for 25-30cm feathers, those are way too short. I've bought quite a lot of cheap goose feathers from ebay, 18€/100pcs or so with free international shipping.

FilipT:
Ah, 10" at least? Look at the turkey ones, they seem to be best suited and look nice. I don't care if they were not used in medieval europe as turkeys weren't imported yet.

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