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Newbie Questions About Wood Arrows

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KristinB83:
Hello, everyone,

I'm pretty brand new to traditional archery/traditional bowhunting and am just starting to dive into primitive archery/primitive bowhunting. I've been practicing shooting and getting my form down since Fall 2018 with a couple of recurve bows (a 22# Snake and a 58" 32# @24" Ragim Matrix J. takedown; the 22# bow is for getting my form right and the 32# is for slowly building my muscles up so I can shoot at 40#, the minimum draw weight for hunting deer with traditional bows in NC). I have taken my state's hunters' ed course and I have my hunting license for the first time ever. I'm hoping to go on my first hunts (starting with small game) this fall/winter, if I'm ready by then.

I discovered this board because a lot of the old posts on here were answering my Google questions about building wood arrows using goose and other feathers, traditional fletching with deer sinew, etc. I recently decided to take the plunge and try to make some of my own wood arrows, since the carbon arrows I use for practice are expensive and I like wood arrows better. I spoke to someone at 3 Rivers Archery and they suggested I get shafts that are 5/16" in diameter and 30-35# in spine and to cut them to around 27". They also suggested 125 gr points. I am a shortie (only 5' tall) and my draw length is only 23" and 1/4, which is why I think they suggested those parameters. But I am really a total newbie at this.

I have ordered 12 parallel Port Orford cedar shafts, some wild turkey feathers (right wing), some 125 g field points, a right helical fletching jig, a tapering tool, etc. for this project. I've also got some Canada goose feathers I'm hoping to fletch with. I also have managed to acquire some of the old Bear Razorhead broadheads off of Ebay. And I've been reading books and scouring the Internet for any and all information about how to build your own wood arrows.

With all that said, here are my questions:

What types of wood do y'all like to use when building your arrows? What are the reasons for your choice of wood? Same goes for any other materials you use (river cane, reed, etc). Does anyone have any tips for building wood arrows (or any kind of "primitive" arrows) and fletching for the first time? I have some real deer leg sinew that I got for another project and I'm thinking of using it for these arrows. Can I fletch with just the sinew or is it good to also add glue? What kind of points do y'all like to use? Bone or stone or something else? Is it hard to knap stone points or to make bone points? If there is a way to make your own field points at home, what can you use for that? I saw a discussion thread here where duplex nails were suggested, but I'm in an apartment and don't have any access to any kind of workshop or machinery. Anything I do will have to be very "primitive." :-P

Looking forward to learning from all of you.

Cheers!

Blayne:
Thats exciting to jump into this with both feet! I have been building arrows as a hobby business for a couple years now and I still learn new things all the time! My prefered shaft is Sitka spruce. My friend makes them and he got me going in this game, plus they are made in Canada where I am at, so it makes it easier for me all around. POC and Doug fir are fine shafts, I lean towards the fir. For primitives I have used bamboo, ocean spray, red osier dogwood and am about to work some Nootka rose.

To answer your other questions, you are on the right path. Just get started! Don’t be stalled by “analysis paralysis”, build yourself a set and keep experimenting! One thing that I think is crucial is learning to straighten milled shafts. Take your time and get it right! Ask around your community in the spring, I bet you can find wild turkey feathers that hunters are tossing out. I would suggest doing your first arrows with the fletching jig and glue, play with sinew on the leading edge of the feathers, even do a quill wrap, but get them stuck down first. Can be pretty tricky doing it all by hand! You don’t need glue but it can make life easier.

And start with the manufactured steel points for now, and as you follow the path find a knap in and learn how to make stone points. All this stuff is obtainable, just stay curious and don’t be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them, because we ALL do! Feel free to PM me if you want more specific arrow buukding questions answered:)

TSA:
dunno who this blayne guy is - sounds like a wierdo to me- but he does offer many valid points.
i am rather biased when it comes to manufactured shaft material- preferring sitka spruce- especially when you are trying to keep the mass down on finished arrows- allowing greater versatility with higher point weights and improved FOC.
as you get into hunting, especially with lower weight bows, you will find a good foc arrow is a huge advantage.
many natural shoot shafts will also help with that, being that they have  a natural taper- and with the shafts already having a higher foc than a parallel shaft.
there is tons of good info out there with regards to building and fletching wooden arrows, but if you are looking at a single resource for building primitive arrows, then this is the place- some phenomenal craftspeople on here.

as for primitive- i am quite partial to  a two fletch  setup, with a knapped head.
i have seen some great south eastern two fletch shafts on here- and variants of it.
Patb springs to mind as someone who really builds, shoots and hunts quite a bit with the south eastern two fletch pattern.
in fact, Pat lives right in your neck of the woods, he should be quite easy to make contact with.

good luck  :OK

ps. that blayne dude is pretty ok as an arrow builder ;)- he will have some great insights and help for you!

Hawkdancer:
Welcome aboard, Kristin!  You are on the right track for sure!  The folks on this site have a
Wealth of knowledge and will share it willingly.  You can make blunts for hunting with
.38/.357 cases, empty.410, 28 ga, & 20 ga shotgun shells or even a rawhide
Bundle wrapped and sinewed on to the tip.  Good hunting!   Also post
Pictures and ask questions!
Hawkdancer

rebsr52339:
If you don't mind telling, what state are you located in?

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