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Offline IONIAN

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Hardwood shaft ??
« on: March 30, 2009, 11:03:49 am »
  What hardwood do you guys cosider the best for arrow shafts? I know ash and hickory get a bad rap due to the straightness issue, but I think if you split the shafts it shouldn't be as big a problem. What do you think?
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Offline billy

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Re: Hardwood shaft ??
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2009, 11:50:08 am »
actually I think they make very good arrows (hickory and ash).  I've made my hickory arrows from long splits, then whittled them round with a small wood plane.  The arrows are heavy and fly beautifully.
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Offline Kegan

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Re: Hardwood shaft ??
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2009, 06:03:52 pm »
Ash is quite straight- hickory gives you trouble. Birch is a really good one, but it warps too.
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Offline artcher1

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Re: Hardwood shaft ??
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2009, 06:28:20 pm »
If you want something in a medium weight range then give Poplar a try if you haven't already. Better still, footed poplar shafts .

ART B
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Offline JackCrafty

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Re: Hardwood shaft ??
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2009, 09:16:54 pm »
Birch dowels or chinese privet shoots.  I'd make arrows out of ipe too if it didn't take so darn long.  Those are my favorites.

*Edit*  That didn't make much sense. :-\

Birch and privet are my favorites.  They are very light in color (which gives me a wide range of shades if I decide to stain them), are relatively easy to straighten, and resemble red osier and yaupon holly respectively (which is great for reproductions).

I've made ipe foreshafts (and arrowheads) and it would be great for arrow shafting if it wasn't so hard on my tools.
« Last Edit: March 31, 2009, 12:53:25 am by jackcrafty »
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Offline hawkbow

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Re: Hardwood shaft ??
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2009, 10:36:47 pm »
I have used ash shafting for deer and elk.. very heavy though.. but tough as nails.. you will need a good strong bow and seal them really good or they will warp.. I burn mine in a spiral  pattern to straighten them and seal with minwax stain .. Hawk
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Offline Timo

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Re: Hardwood shaft ??
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2009, 10:41:21 pm »
I've shot hickory for years,and yes they can be very taxing on the mind.Very few stay staight all the time.

If you can dowell some straight grained osage they will do the job required very well.

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