Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: Nasr on August 24, 2019, 09:30:26 am

Title: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: Nasr on August 24, 2019, 09:30:26 am
 Most of my bows are around 50-55 @ 28"  rang and I would like to make arrows that are 9gpp to 10 gpp for target shooting or lighter. I would like to know which of these woods would be my best choice for the weight. I have Hickory, Ash, Pine, Birch, and poplar.
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: Pat B on August 24, 2019, 01:17:50 pm
Hickory would be heavy, ash makes good arrows but in my experience hard to keep straight, pine would be good as would be birch or poplar.
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: Woodely on August 24, 2019, 06:45:36 pm
I would try most of them and you will find out what works best,  like Pat says "pine would be good as would be birch or poplar."   
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: Deerhunter21 on August 24, 2019, 08:58:51 pm
ive always heard that poplar is really good.
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: Pat B on August 24, 2019, 09:50:26 pm
Poplar is one of my favorite dowel shafts. Very tough and about the same weight as POC.
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: Nasr on August 25, 2019, 06:52:11 pm
so definitely gonna try poplar. I have tried pine but the stuff I get seems really weak. I wanna try Birch if I can get the same weight as Poplar.
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: Woodely on August 25, 2019, 07:56:08 pm
I have settled on Hemlock.   Have tried poplar, cedar and doug fir.
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: burtonridr on September 16, 2019, 09:31:37 pm
+1 Pine is very weak. I build some last year with pine, I think I broke every single target arrow already, usually they broke the first time I missed the target.
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: Pat B on September 17, 2019, 06:59:32 am
That should keep you from missing the target.   >:D
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: willie on September 17, 2019, 09:50:52 pm
birch and poplar are both considered diffuse porous, which might help with the durability. some pines have  better ring structures than others and arrow quality can vary widely between pine species also. I have had good luck with fine ringed lodgepole, and avoid juvenile wood with most conifers
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: Woodely on September 21, 2019, 02:08:23 pm
Anybody used maple or hickory.  If so what is your take on them species.
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: Pat B on September 21, 2019, 05:55:14 pm
Hickory makes a very heavy arrow. Pine Hollow sells hickory shafting. Don't know about maple but I'd guess it would work.
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: DC on September 21, 2019, 07:09:56 pm
Anybody used maple or hickory.  If so what is your take on them species.

Big Leafed Maple might be interesting. If you found a piece with straight enough grain you could make an arrow with only 1/2 a growth ring :D
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: Woodely on September 22, 2019, 03:33:24 pm
Anybody used maple or hickory.  If so what is your take on them species.

Big Leafed Maple might be interesting. If you found a piece with straight enough grain you could make an arrow with only 1/2 a growth ring :D
Doubt if it would hold to soft.  I only use Eastern maple.
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: George Tsoukalas on September 23, 2019, 08:08:51 am
Make my arrows by hand planing. I find pine to be more time efficient for me. Jawge
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: burtonridr on September 29, 2019, 08:26:52 pm
That should keep you from missing the target.   >:D

Lol I wish it worked that way!

I finally built a bunch of dogwood shaft arrows, they are much much better!
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: razorsharptokill on October 01, 2019, 04:04:05 pm
I hear that bamboo dowels make a good arrow too. I assume that it is made from bamboo flooring? I think Ryan Gill at hunt primitive carries it.
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: Deerhunter21 on October 01, 2019, 04:38:05 pm
Nah thats just rivercane i think.
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: Strelets on October 27, 2019, 02:47:00 pm
Woodely asked "Anyone used maple or hickory?"

I have used maple. It is very hard, very strong and very heavy:- about 22 grains per inch for a 3/8-inch shaft. 
If you want a heavy, nearly indestructible arrow it should be your first choice. If you want a lightweight, high-velocity arrow it should be your last choice. It needs heating to straighten it (I use a gas flame), but once straightened it will stay that way.
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: razorsharptokill on October 30, 2019, 04:16:32 pm
Source for poplar dowels?
Title: Re: Wood choice for arrows
Post by: Pat B on October 30, 2019, 09:49:16 pm
The poplar shafts I have came from a member, Charlie Jefferson. He made them with a dowel maker but had to give it up due to health problems. You might try some of the commercial shaft suppliers. Allegheny Arrow Woods used to carry them but I think they were bought out.