Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: Texas Pete on February 14, 2008, 11:48:23 am
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Howdy again folks,
Well, I'm looking for a good source for arrow making supplies. Here is West Texas Mesquite is king and I'm not really sure how well it would work (Plus I'd rather not mess with all the thorns ;D).
I got a good source for feather as I buy goose feathers by the pound, and I make my own tips. Guess I'm more or less looking for a good cane supplier or cedar shafts.
Thanks in advance
Texas Pete
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Dunno about cane or cedar, but you could use a table or bandsaw and ut 3/8" squares from hickory, oak, good pine, poplar, or any other good straight grained board and plane them down inot an octagon, then take the edges off again and it is virtually round.
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If you're not stuck on cedar, American Woodcrafters has birch dowels . They make great arrows. They 3/8" will run around 80#, the 5/16" around 40# or so. There's some variation, of course, but that's the general range.
Good luck!
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If you're not stuck on cedar, American Woodcrafters has birch dowels for around $25.00/100. They make great arrows. They 3/8" will run around 80#, the 5/16" around 40# or so. There's some variation, of course, but that's the general range.
Good luck!
WOOHOO! Thats perfect! I got my ash longbow that runs 47#@28". The 5/16" just might work.
Thanks again
Texas Pete
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I will recommend sitka spruce shafts from hildebrandarrowshafts.com
these shafts aren't cheap, but quality is superb
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You may find a good local source of shoots for arrows. There are bound to be some good plants, trees or bushes. A good place to look for shafts is where undergrowth is growing after being cleared under powerlines in the woods.
I cut 55 good ash shoots this morning that should make some nice arrows. In the last month or so I must have cut about 100 dogwood shafts. I have some hazel dry in the loft, and bamboo growing in my garden. I am not sure I will ever need to buy shafts again!
There is some work in the preperation, drying etc but making these kind of arrows is a whole lot more fun that assembling arrows from ready made components.
Mark in England
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I agree with Mark. Thats all I've used for the last 3 or 4 years. Hardwood shoots make very tough arrows. I use primarily sourwood but also cane, different dogwoods and viburnum. Shoot arrows are more work than working with store bought arrow shafts but the satisfaction factor is way up there...and they make cool looking arrows. ;) Pat