Main Discussion Area > Arrows
Hardwood shoot collecting time
Pat B:
Kenneth, do you temper shafts after you straighten them? I know the using heat to straighten them somewhat tempers them but I go back over each one, starting at one end and rotate the shaft over heat while working down towards the other end then lay them flat to cool. I still sometimes have to do a simple hand straightening(cold) but the shafts usually stay straight for me after that.
WhistlingBadger:
You guys got me all inspired, so I went out and collected a bunch of red osier dogwood shoots last week. What looked straight in the field looks more like pretzels on my bench, and they won't bend straight. I kept about a half dozen that I think I might be able to do something with. The rest went in the reject pile. Oh well, always good to get out.
Pat B:
When I collect hardwood shoots I bundle them using rubber bands until and even after straightening. The rubber bands will keep the bundle tight even after the shoots start to dry. They shrink as they dry.
WB, did you try to straighten with heat the ones that were crooked? Did you harvest 2nd year shoots, the ones with small branches on them. First year growth only has leaf scars now and are too flimsy for arrows.
WhistlingBadger:
--- Quote from: Pat B on December 13, 2021, 02:01:22 pm ---When I collect hardwood shoots I bundle them using rubber bands until and even after straightening. The rubber bands will keep the bundle tight even after the shoots start to dry. They shrink as they dry.
WB, did you try to straighten with heat the ones that were crooked? Did you harvest 2nd year shoots, the ones with small branches on them. First year growth only has leaf scars now and are too flimsy for arrows.
--- End quote ---
OK, I didn't know that! I thought the first year growth was what you wanted. This wood all felt really spongy. I tried to straighten them like I straighten wood shafts: bend it a little past straight, hold it for a few seconds. Most of them sprang right back. Is that because they were too green, do you think? Should I let them dry out a bit before straightening?
Pat B:
Yeah, bundle them for a month or two and they should be pretty dry. You can also unbundle every few days and hand straighten a little each time then bundle back up while they are still green. You can get them pretty straight this way while they are drying. Once dry use heat to make the final straightening and tempering.
I would not remove the bark until they are dry but others have had different experiences.
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