Forgewood spine questions

[Forester]

Hello all,

A few questions about Sweetland Forgewoods and spine "class" as it relates to the listed diameter.

I have seen the Hunter grade arrows with a diameter of 18 listed for a bow weight of 45-55 #s and draw length 29".  Is this a classification based on the diameter and draw length?  Will these shafts show approx. 50# on a spine tester or closer to 60#?  Are there any particular details to using a spine tester for Forgewoods (besides grain orientation)?

Can anybody say what the ballpark spine rating would be for Hunter grade shafts with a diameter of 20 when making an arrow that is 28.5" BOP?

If I can get my hands on some I will put them on a Spine Master but the more info I have the less likely I will screw up a rare opportunity.  Thanks for any info and experience you can share!

[Bjorn]

OK I'm not the expert; when I got home I spine tested 4 batches of FW'ds. The skinniest-under 5/16 were 45/50 and 55/60-these look the same and weigh the same, just different spine.
Some fatter ones.........under 11/32 and over 5/16 spined at 70-75. That leads me to believe the spine was not just controlled by diameter-there were spine differences within the size groups. BTW:
There is a heavy and a light end to FW's-the shafts were denser at the front. Always cut from the light end only. To determine which end is which measure the shaft and balance it.

[Orion]

I agree with Bjorn on all points.  Looking for some forgewoods?  There's some on the auction sight right now.  A baker's dozen is currently at more than $200, with a few days left.  Good luck.

[Forester]

Thanks for the responses guys.  I appredciate your efforts Bjorn, glad I could give you an excuse to have fun measuring those arrows.  I didn't think the spine was directly correlated to the diameter but don't know how they were sorted and sold.

I was able to measure a dozen raw shafts with a diameter of "20" - they measured 5/16 and were mostly between 45# and 50# spine.  Weights were 395 +/- 10 grains.

I will measure spine on a batch of arrows that are listed as diameter "18" and measure 9/32 with a coat of laquer on them.

I would really like to get a dozen in the higher spine ranges 70/75# at a minimum, 80/85# would be best.  $200 for a baker's dozen tells me I need to start savin' my pennies!

[kurtbel5]

Not sure the 200 is cause of the arrows, or the quiver?

[larryh]

i have some .250 fw's that are 35# spine and some .280 that are over 70# spine. i think it depended on the batch of wood and how near the bark or core the shafts were cut from. there was still a lot of old growth po cedar when mine were made in the early fifties.

[Orion]

Oops.  Missed the reference to the quiver.  I'm sure that contributes to it.  I've seen shafts go for more than $10 apiece in the past.  At nearly $250 now.  Guess I'll just have to keep soaking my standard cedars in Watco oil.  Gives me a little extra weight, but not the strength or narrow diameter of the Sweetlands.

Forrester, I have two sets of tapered Sweetland forgewoods that are about 1/4 on the front, tapered to about 7/32 on the nock end.  One set is spined about 51#-54# and weigh 390-410 grains.  The other set is 55# plus and made into arrows are about 565 grains with a 110 grain point so I'd guess them at about 430 grains raw shafts.

If you can lay your hands on those shafts for a decent price, it might be a good idea.  Even if the weight isn't right for you, might be able to trade them down the line.  Good luck.