Main Discussion Area > English Warbow
Medieval arrow shaft production methods
WillS:
--- Quote from: FilipT on December 09, 2018, 02:59:29 am ---@Will Sherman
First time I hear about using alder, do you have some pictures of your alder arrows, how does it behave in contrast with aspen and poplar?
--- End quote ---
Alder was likely a very popular shaft material as it behaves just like any other good shaft material - light and strong. Many of the MR arrows were made of alder (I've forgotten how many) and the ones that I've looked at that were confirmed to be alder are impossible to tell apart from other woods - as you can see from these pics!
These are alder.
These are willow (again, a brilliant arrow shaft material and also found on the MR)
These are Pop. nigra or Black Poplar which is essentially aspen.
And these are linden or lime.
As you can see, a white arrow shaft is a white arrow shaft! At 1/2" diameter they all behave the same really - you notice differences when you work them, especially when you're splitting the ends with a blade to fit the horn insert as some species have very straight grain and some don't (or simply don't like to follow it!) but unless you're up close you just wouldn't know. Willow is slightly softer, which I assume is why the Mary Rose willow shafts were generally larger than all the others.
willie:
--- Quote ---As you can see, a white arrow shaft is a white arrow shaft!
--- End quote ---
yes, and the alder we have around here, splits fairly nice.
nice pics there Will, I always enjoy viewing your arrows.
Hawkdancer:
Will,
Nice arrows! Is the green a paint/stain, or some kind of wrap? Thanks,
Hawkdancer
WillS:
The green is the fletching glue. It's a mixture of beeswax, hard kidney fat and copper verdigris. The shafts are coated in the mixture, then when it cools the feathers are bound into it using silk and then the mixture is reheated to let it flow over the bindings, securing everything in place.
It's how the majority of the MR arrows were made, as well as the Westminster Abbey arrow and probably 90% of all military arrows dating back as far as the 1100s. Before then the glue was either birch tar or pine pitch, applied in the same way.
Hawkdancer:
Beeswax and pine pitch, I got, copper verdigris is an unknown to me! Different agents for different colors? Also the silk wrap is worked down through the fletch, or through from the side with a fine needle, looks like about a 1/4" or 6 mm spacing! My precision skills are a bit wonky - it's hard to find left handed needles! (lol) (lol). As soon as I get the Christmas stuff done, I have to make some arrows for my landowner.
Hawkdancer
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