Ocean Spray for shafts?????

[snag]

Curious if anyone has tried using ocean spray for shaft material. I understand that the American Indians in Oregon used it.  Most of what I have seen is not very straight. I wonder if by making a form with 2X4's you could season them to be straight?

[Pat B]

I have used ocean spray for shafts with good results. It seems a bit light but made good arrows. First off find the straightest shoots you can find and use heat(once it is cured) to straighten it.

[D. Tiller]

Another thing is treat it like Bamboo. Its a tough wood! Its very light so make sure you use a heavy point or dense wood foreshafts.

[snag]

Do you strip the bark off right away and let it dry or do you let it dry with bark on or do you even bother taking the bark off?

[ravenbeak]

living in the NW it is by far my favorite shaft material, I swear you could shoot it at a brick wallall day with no ill effects,

I cut it long,  leave the bark on and let it dry wrapped in bundles,  then strip the bark and heat straighten

[D. Tiller]

Yep! Do what Ravenbeak said. Also, think about knock inserts or reinforcing the shaft with wraps of sinew or string in glue. Keepse it from splitting.

[Sparrow]

Ocean spray is very good material. Keep looking around for straight.I found some up on Couer D' Alene lake that was as straight as any raw shaft and it made very nice shafts.  '  Frank