My first "stick" arrows

[PAHunter]

Hi all, these are the first arrows I made from some saplings or bushes we collected instead of bamboo from Home Depot.  I learned a ton about straightening from Patrick and built a new tool to help with that.  I'm not sure exactly what the wood is.  A friend suggest viburnum (sp) but I'm not certain about that. 

They are much more sloppy looking than I had envisioned.    I'm sure neatness would come with time.  I did these all by hand without any power or fletching tools etc.  I'm guessing some better tools and perhaps paint would result in a cleaner finished product.  I think I'll try to get better at doing them by hand for now. 

I tried the metal tips that accept screw in heads from 3 rivers.  it was hard to get the hollow shafts to fill them correctly however.  I was nervous about them staying so I tried a few different attachment methods (artificial sinew, thread, real sinew, no added material). 

The arrows are about 32 '' and probably 500 to 585 grains with tips.  The spine is pretty weak however.  I'm a bit hesitant to shoot them from a powerful bow. 

Any input is appreciated.  I'm new to this game and feverishly reading your posts to learn the ropes.     

[PebblePlacement]

Cool!

[richardzane]

I think they look great ... your first set? yeah!
 the whole arrow making process is an art where you're ALWAYS learning...building bows can be tough, but, making arrows
from scratch? just aint for the faint at heart. I've only been at it for a little over a year and i've so much to learn. but when you start
zinging arrows you made from scratch with arrows that match your bow in tighter and tighter patterns ..its worth it.

you will probably notice that those tail feathers are softer than primary wing, and they may get more damaged
as they pass over your hand. it might be good to snip them down a bit, down-shaft, where it first contacts your hand.
my first arrows were underspined and yet each of their launch patterns became almost predictable.
if they were all i had , i think i could still have hunted with them....but as perfectionists we're always driven towards improvements!

[Trapper Rob]

They look great.

[TRACY]

First batch? I think I'll send you all of my shoots and boo for you to make arrows! . Nice work!


Tracy

[Hunts with stone]

Dam you can make mine to! Nice work trying different Threads . You got a lot of learning in one session of Manufacture.

[PAHunter]

Thanks much for your compliments!  I have made bamboo arrows following the build along on this site before but this is my first time making them with my own wood.  It was surprising just how long it takes to make an arrow by hand.  That's not a negative for me.  It makes it more rewarding.  I can always quickly by arrows from the archery shop.    Though it's a little sad when you break an arrow that you picked over a year ago.   

@richardzane thanks for the tips!  The spine is very weak on these but I'm finishing a 30# bow now so they may match up nicely with that.  Getting some that spine close to what I need for hunting is my next goal.  Getting a kill with one would just be amazing!

[JEB]

Good looking arrows. What did you use for nocks?  Those adapt a point inserts are old school from the 60's.  You did good.

[ncpat]

Look good to me. I am addicted and have yet to build my 1st arrow. I have been reading here & other forums. Have collected goose feathers & ordered a few items. Have a few shoots of various types to work with, have them drying in the shed.

Now I cannot pass by a tree or shrub anywhere without wondering if it would make good arrows. I salivate when I see a nice straight shoot or limb. Every piece of junk metal I see, I wonder about points from it.

Too bad I have to also do such mundane things as work. 

[PAHunter]

@JEB thanks!  I drilled a small hole, cut a small piece out with a razor blade, and did the rest with sandpaper.  I shoot 3 fingers under so I need the arrow to stick to the string a bit.
 
@ncpat thank you!  Seriously, it was bad enough when I was always looking for deer and turkey now I'm looking at every tree and bush as opportunity.  Must have been similar to how our ancestors viewed the woods.  A ordinary wood lot becomes a sea of opportunity and another chance at survival.  Pesky work does tend to get in the way.  Though work is send me down south in a few weeks and I am going to stop by the Smokey Mountain National Park on the way back; so it's not all bad. 

[bowtarist]

Look good to me.  Another name for vibernum in "arrow wood".  There are lots of different vibernum out there though.

Nice work, dpg

[Thesquirrelslinger]

Very nice man!
If those are your first.... I want the second! they will be absolutely AMAZING!

[bow101]

Yup, have to get 'round to makin sum of thum arrrows sometime.....   nice ones Hunter
 

[randman]

Nice job PA! Unless you want the changability so you can put broadheads on those things, there's an easier way to make a target point (especially on that stuff that has a hollow pith) just get some duplex head nails, drill out the soft pith, squirt glue in, shove the nail down inside all the way to the head, grind the head to a point after the glue dries, wrap with art sinew (or your choice)and yer good to go. The nail gives a nice weight forward and are cheap.

[DuBois]

I like em man! Hopefully soon I will post some but these damn bows won't stopp calling my name...I been on my "first set" now for months it seems
I got too many irons in the fire.