Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: Bugtussle on July 28, 2013, 10:59:47 pm

Title: Blue Heeler Shafts
Post by: Bugtussle on July 28, 2013, 10:59:47 pm

Here are some shafts that I stained with 5 parts white vinegar and 1 part steel wool (left to age for 36 hours)...  They look like the coat of a Blue Heeler to me  :D.  The shafts next to them are the color starting out.  The single "test"  stick to the left is 5 parts steel and 1 part white vinegar... aged for 18 hours (the color was much more uniform).  The shafts are Rough Leaf Dogwood.

Title: Re: Blue Heeler Shafts
Post by: tallpine on July 30, 2013, 12:07:35 am

I have used this process to die leather. Its a century's old method for dying leather and wood. Its called Vinegaroon, Its not a dye, It reacts with the natural Tannins and causes a chemical reaction. Vinegaroon gets better with age, I let it set for about a week or until all the steel wool is dissolved. Your arrows look real nice, never thought about using it on arrows, might even try it on a white wood bow. Thanks for posting this > Dan

Title: Re: Blue Heeler Shafts
Post by: Bugtussle on July 30, 2013, 12:46:39 am

Dan... Thanks for the information!  BTW, when you allow the steel wool to dissolve does that give it a more uniform color?  As you can see, my test was brown but the shafts came out steel blue/gray...

Title: Re: Blue Heeler Shafts
Post by: tallpine on July 30, 2013, 01:10:55 am

Yes, you need to let the steel wool dissolve completely for maximum strength, the color will depend on how much Tannin is in the wood. > Dan

Title: Re: Blue Heeler Shafts
Post by: Bugtussle on July 30, 2013, 05:54:56 pm

Cool!  Thanks!

Title: Re: Blue Heeler Shafts
Post by: Bugtussle on July 30, 2013, 06:13:55 pm

Well the "pups" got their adult "teeth" today :). It's a pretty motley crew but the deer and hogs won't mind I am sure...  Now I got to start cutting wild turkey feathers and fletching... I actually may be ready for hunting season early this year... "Nock on wood" :laugh:

Title: Re: Blue Heeler Shafts
Post by: Bugtussle on July 30, 2013, 06:30:56 pm

More pics... Ignore the sorry knapping...  :-\ .

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(http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/webkit-fake-url://A51F63D7-B7CB-4987-B0AD-235B9404C2F6/imagejpeg)


(http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/webkit-fake-url://2B883D9E-DE33-4C00-8A76-EBD603B86344/imagejpeg)

Title: Re: Blue Heeler Shafts
Post by: Danzn Bar on July 30, 2013, 08:37:17 pm

Nice arra shafts
DBar

Title: Re: Blue Heeler Shafts
Post by: Bugtussle on July 30, 2013, 10:02:32 pm

Thanks Dbar!  It seems that the other pictures did not post as I anticipated :-[... So here it goes again...

Title: Re: Blue Heeler Shafts
Post by: Bugtussle on July 30, 2013, 10:03:12 pm

2 of 3

Title: Re: Blue Heeler Shafts
Post by: Bugtussle on July 30, 2013, 10:03:45 pm

3 of 3

Title: Re: Blue Heeler Shafts
Post by: HoBow on July 30, 2013, 11:24:21 pm

Very nice set.

Title: Re: Blue Heeler Shafts
Post by: Bugtussle on July 31, 2013, 02:22:30 pm

Thanks Jeff!  Hopefully a couple of them will make meat  :)

Title: Re: Blue Heeler Shafts
Post by: CherokeeKC on August 05, 2013, 08:07:46 am

Awesome work!  Ill have to try that out

Title: Re: Blue Heeler Shafts
Post by: Bugtussle on August 07, 2013, 02:45:00 pm

Thanks CherokeeKC!  I have started on another set but this time with ash... not sure if I am going to use the vinegar/steel wool again... I can't decide if I like the effect or not... but it does camo them good... took me forever to find one in the grass a few days ago  :)