Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: snag on December 21, 2010, 05:01:15 pm
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I know that some of the American Indians made arrows out of ocean spray shoots. I have some drying to give them a try.
But I was wondering if there was any other plants that grow here in Oregon that would work. Thanks, David
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Not real sure, but don't you have red osier dogwood there snag?
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Boy, I don't know. I know we have dogwood...have to look into what type?
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hazel and big leaf maple shoots should make good arrows.
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We have ocean spray, wild rose and red osier.
Those three are great but my favorite is....
Service berry shoots!
All four could be had less than a block from my home in wetland area...
Until last week, they leveled the whole place!
Sure irritated me I tell ya.
Ive tried salmon berry but it's too light and a lil weak...I'm sure there are many hidden gems native to the area.
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Ocean spray and wild rose are hard to beat. I made some shafts from lilac shoots before that were dense and very tough. You can split ceder also,very native. ' Frank
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I've got some lilac bushes that need pruning! haha I'll try them. Is the red osier dogwood the wild variety we see in the woods? The ocean spray I have drying/curing I wrapped up and put in between two 2X4's to keep them straight. I think they will still need some straightening. Do you just use heat or should I try and burnish them?
I live in Eugene. Does serviceberry grow on this side of the Cascades?
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Serviceberry is all over this side of the cascades, I'm a bit south of Portland.
It's also called Saskatoon and from what a good many bowyers tell me, it's one hell of a bow wood also.
Ocean Spray will check badly, probably not an issue this time of year but don't be in a hurry to work on em.
I've had good luck tweaking them a bit every day to get em straight while keeping them lashed dowel.
Wild rose also checks if you remove the bark too soon.
Red osier, a type of dog wood, is commonly used as an ornamental. This time of year it's easy to spot, very red and straight. Look for it on road sides and wetter areas, once you know what to look for, it's every where! It is very rubbery when green. Ive never had it check on me even in the summer months. Use heat to straighten them .
One of these days Ill split some wind fallen cedar or fir for some shafts.
I'm new to making bows but been after my own arras for years now.
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Sharpend60, I have shot a recurve for the past 5yrs. So, I got into making arrows out of POC and douglas fir shafts and have them coming out of my ears! haha Now that I am trying to make a few selfbows I would love to make some shafts out of these plants. I know what you mean about "it's everywhere". I found that to be true with ocean spray. I also found it to check really badly. This last bunch I cut I left the bark on them while they season hoping it wouldn't happen....?