Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: Josh on February 15, 2010, 04:34:13 pm

Title: Why a dozen?
Post by: Josh on February 15, 2010, 04:34:13 pm
I have always noticed that anytime anyone makes arrows, they are always a dozen at a time... Why is that? Most quivers won't hold that many at a time ( I usually only carry 6 in my back quiver)  Is there history behind this?  Just curious...  ;D
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: Hillbilly on February 15, 2010, 05:28:38 pm
I usually make sets of five or six myself.
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: aero86 on February 15, 2010, 05:52:02 pm
i would imagine for breakage and wear.  12 same spine arrows, 6 field points, 6 broadheads..  just spitballin..
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: NTD on February 15, 2010, 07:12:31 pm
because 11 isn't enough and 13 is unlucky ;)
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: DanaM on February 15, 2010, 07:17:49 pm
Last set I made was 14 ;D
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: sailordad on February 15, 2010, 07:43:06 pm
i make them one  at a time
i may make 3-4 for  a particular bow
but most of what i make are for the wall,so one at a time for me
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: ricktrojanowski on February 15, 2010, 11:13:13 pm
I usually lose or break 6 or 7 before I get to hunt with them. ;D
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: Tsalagi on February 15, 2010, 11:47:13 pm
 I don't have any quivers that hold less than a dozen arrows. It's a tradition, the same reason that ammunition for rifles comes in boxes of 20 and shotguns boxes of 25. Even after the army came out with 30 round mags for the M-16, still, they were getting ammo in boxes of 20.
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: aznboi3644 on February 16, 2010, 04:24:01 am
I've only made about a dozen...but I've broken 7 or 8 just from use...usually hitting a hard object and the arrow exploded along the grain runout.
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: Pat B on February 16, 2010, 11:30:20 am
Like sailorsdad I usually make each arrow by itself. I will straighten a few at a time and over a few days but when it comes to turning a shaft into an arrow, I do each separately.
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: Lombard on February 16, 2010, 11:35:22 am
If you are as bad a shot as I am, a dozen is not nearly enough.
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: Traxx on February 16, 2010, 01:52:02 pm
I believe,that it is an Old English tradition,that has carried over.
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: KenH on April 16, 2010, 07:32:39 pm
TRADITION!  Based probably on the idea of having a "double end" of arrows.  An End of 6 being the normal number of shots taken at a target before you go count the score.  Competitions are defined as X number of Ends. If you had two ends of arrows they could be "close range" and "long range" or anything like that...
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: AncientArcher76 on April 16, 2010, 09:20:34 pm
I dont know about anyones traditions but I would assume common sense would be make enough to practice we all know you are going to damage afew doing that and perhaps to have few that you might think were the better few set aside for hunting.  I like to have a few extra although my quiver wont hold a dozen.  If it takes a dozen arrows for some people to hit a dear god bless them. Well you all have a splendid day! ::)



AA
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: Lombard on April 16, 2010, 09:45:09 pm
Josh, have you seen me shoot yet? A dozen ain't enough. ;D
<-------<<<
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: M-P on April 16, 2010, 10:30:49 pm
Commercial shaft are sold by the dz and my fletching jig holds 6 arrows.   That seems reason enough to make up arrows by 6's and 12's.  Now why those standards ????   Ron
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on April 17, 2010, 05:16:37 pm
Dozen eggs, dozen donuts! I can't make 11 arrows! Jawge
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: dmassphoto on April 18, 2010, 12:43:57 am
TRADITION!  Based probably on the idea of having a "double end" of arrows.  An End of 6 being the normal number of shots taken at a target before you go count the score.  Competitions are defined as X number of Ends. If you had two ends of arrows they could be "close range" and "long range" or anything like that...

Makes me wonder if they used it in the long range dirt clod/butts shooting?

I'm just glad it's not like hot dogs and buns.  Could you imagine having a dozen arrows, yet a quiver only holding 8?
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: KenH on April 18, 2010, 08:06:02 pm
Yep - even in 180 yard clout shooting, the official way of shooting is shoot 6, then walk.  But clout shooters are smart.  They set up two targets 180 yards apart.  Stand in the middle of one...shoot at the other.  Walk.  Repeat going back the other way.  Shoot 6 Ends and wind up back where you started.
Title: Re: Why a dozen?
Post by: recurve shooter on April 19, 2010, 10:19:04 am
im still waitin on SteveCover's oppinion.  ::) :P ;D