Author Topic: Basswood for arrows  (Read 4316 times)

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Bill Dean

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Basswood for arrows
« on: December 04, 2017, 10:25:50 am »
Hi,
Does anyone here have experience using basswood (linden) for arrows? I have a ton of boards in my basement and was thinking of using them. Its very light, but I'm not sure how strong it would be, and if it would hold up very well.

Thanks

Offline Pat B

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Re: Basswood for arrows
« Reply #1 on: December 04, 2017, 10:36:40 am »
The only thing I've heard about basswood is for carving. I have no idea about using it for arrows. Maybe try some and see how it works.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Basswood for arrows
« Reply #2 on: December 04, 2017, 10:37:55 am »
Basswood is very brittle and a very "messy" yard tree as a result. I cant imagine it making a good shaft, but that's just a guess.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline Danzn Bar

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Re: Basswood for arrows
« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2017, 12:54:22 pm »
Im with Pat and Pearl on this one....
DBar
Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking

Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Basswood for arrows
« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2017, 03:04:16 pm »
The guy at Allegheny Mountain Arrow Woods told me he had fiddled with basswood shafts, dipping them quickly in a tube filled with MinWax wood hardener.  He said the outer coating of wood hardener worked like the the outer hard rind on cane.  He said it added some weight, toughened them up, too.  Second hand anecdotal evidence for what it is worth.
Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.

Offline Danzn Bar

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Re: Basswood for arrows
« Reply #5 on: December 07, 2017, 06:24:05 pm »
Why go through the trouble....just use cane :)
DBar
Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking

Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Basswood for arrows
« Reply #6 on: December 07, 2017, 06:38:33 pm »
Why go through the trouble....just use cane :)
DBar

Because most of the country does not have access to cane?
Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.

Offline Danzn Bar

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Re: Basswood for arrows
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2017, 06:42:24 pm »
Why go through the trouble....just use cane :)
DBar

Because most of the country does not have access to cane?
Hummmmm....guess I'm just a little spoiled...
Thanks for setting me straight JW makes sense.
DBar
Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking

Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Basswood for arrows
« Reply #8 on: December 07, 2017, 07:15:35 pm »
I would love to play with cane arrow shafts some day.  They seem to be kinda the perfect storm, strong, tapered, resilient, and abundant when you can find them. Perfect!
Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.

Offline Hawkdancer

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Re: Basswood for arrows
« Reply #9 on: December 07, 2017, 09:42:41 pm »
True, JW, but we got red osier dogwood! >:D Lol!  :)
Hawkdancer
Life is far too serious to be taken that way!
Jerry

Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Basswood for arrows
« Reply #10 on: December 08, 2017, 09:00:49 pm »
True, JW, but we got red osier dogwood! >:D Lol!  :)
Hawkdancer

How do you know it's dogwood?  Because of the bark!   ;D
Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.

Offline Hawkdancer

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Re: Basswood for arrows
« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2017, 11:55:35 pm »
But it doesn't bite, unless you miss  )-w( :-K >:D!
Hawkdancer
Life is far too serious to be taken that way!
Jerry

Offline Buck67

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Re: Basswood for arrows
« Reply #12 on: December 09, 2017, 06:19:05 am »
I have made arrows from Basswood shoots that sprouted up around the base of a stump.  They worked fine.  Not sure how well a board made arrow would work.

Offline WillS

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Re: Basswood for arrows
« Reply #13 on: December 15, 2017, 02:37:44 pm »
Basswood is one of my favourite arrowshafts.  I use it for bows right up to 150lb with no problems.  It works well, spines well and finishes well.  You might need to go slightly larger diameter than you're used to, but that's a small price to pay for such a light, strong arrow.

I use 12mm basswood for bows up to 120lb, and 12.5mm for bows up to 150lb.  It's actually very similar to aspen in both weight and average spine.

Offline DavidV

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Re: Basswood for arrows
« Reply #14 on: December 22, 2017, 10:26:39 am »
I made a few shafts with a homemade doweller and they were okay, low spine for their diameter. Very light and very stable though.
Springfield, MO