Ramin Arrow Shafts - Where To Buy Them

[Ragnarok Forge]

Hey Gang,

Is anyone out there shooting Ramin arrows? If yes, where are you getting them?  I am looking for some stumping arrows and hear that Ramin is really tough.  I am looking for something in a 55 / 60 or 60 / 65 spine. Do they even make them in this spine range?  Are there any little tricks to finishing or straightening these shafts?

[SCATTERSHOT]

Ramin is really tough and heavy, but my understanding is that it can't be imported into the US anymore, for ecological reasons. You may luck out and find some old stock, but you may want to look at ash or hickory for your stumpers.

[Grey Taylor]

If you are able to find them, keep in mind that Ramin is a dowel, made and sold for the dowel industry. In order to find them in specific spine groups you'll need to find a dealer or an individual who has sorted through a number of them and checked them for spine.
For what you're looking for you'll probably be in the 3/8" diameter Ramin dowels, if you can find them. Atlas Dowel used to carry them but they no longer show them on their website.

Good luck.

Guy

[Shaun]

No longer imported as virtually all the suppliers were logging illegally in Indonesia. 3/8" dowels now available through wholesalers and lumber yards are often poplar which is good stuff and closer to the spine range you are looking for.

[SuperK]

Check out Twig Archery.  He probably still has some.  It does make a tuff arrow.

[Ragnarok Forge]

Illegally logged Ramin, I am curious how big the chainsaws are? ;-)  To bad the harvest was illegal.

[Hoyt]

You can buy 3/8", 7/16", 5/16",1/2", 9mm, x 48" from $1.25 to 2.00 a piece from muzzle loading suppliers. They use it for ramrods and still have it in stock.

[Mudd]

http://muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com/cgi-bin/mbscart/agora.cgi?cart_id=979808.20258*zW3pw3&product=Rods-Tips-Jags&Starters

 http://www.americanlongrifles.com/WorkShop_gun_making_suppliers.htm

 http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/tableList.aspx?catId=14&subId=161&styleId=731

[Ragnarok Forge]

Thanks guys.  I will check those links out.

I just keep having pictures in my mind of huge swaths of indonesian mountainsides denuded with a line of men with ultra tiny chain saws busily chopping all the ramin down.  

That is a sad and highly amusing picture at the same time.  I guess I am conflicted between having a humorous moment and protecting the environment.

[Don Stokes]

It's very difficult to read the grain in ramin, and there can be significant cross grain. It can be dangerous if you get a bad one. Poplar is a better bet in the form of hardware store dowels, but you still need to be very careful to get the straightest grain possible.

[Shakes.602]

There is a Good Outlet in Chicago, American   Woodcrafters . I am just getting to the Last of the  100  pc Order that was Placed awhile ago, like several Years!!    If Ya Want 'em Fast? WalMart!!      

[John Nail]

how well can you work wood? I have some 3/8" Ramin dowels

[frank bullitt]

Acme, had shafting in the early 90's that came from Maylasia. A friend and dealer here in Indiana sold them. I still have have several shafts in 11/32, in spine up to 100lbs, and 5/16 in the high 50's spine!

Great shafts, and wish they were still availabe. Alot better than Hickory or Ash that I have seen and shot.

I always wondered how Ipe would work for shafts?

[BEN]

Twig Archery still has them. john uses Ramin for his signature "Pass Thru" arrows......
He has an ad in TBM, or..

 http://www.twigarchery.com

[Ragnarok Forge]

I can work wood just fine.  I have a buddy with a lathe that would let me sand them down to my spine weight easily enough  

Lots of good ideas and options here.  I think they would make great stumping arrows.  Anyone here got any tips on straightening them, what finish works on them best. Etc......  I definately want to get some shafts to try out.

[John Nail]

I use a heat gun to straighten, and wipe-on poly for a finish.
You might try Midwestdowel.com they used to carry them

[Shakes.602]

The ACE Roller Straightener! The One that wont "Mar The Finish" with the Brass Roller, AND......a Plain Pink Pearl School Pencil Eraser! Like the Kind I used to wire Hot Wheels Tires to for an Instant Vehicle at Recess. Uh, Many Moons Ago. Ahem, it acts as a Flexible High Spot To Roll the Shaft Straight!!

[Raminshooter]

You can try all of these resources but I would advise you call and talk to a shop forman or someone that can check their inventory.  Why? As others have said they no longer import this wood but lots of these places have inventory available and can ship to you.  I love this stuff and it is best to simply shoot this stuff as stiff as they come using a bow that is cut to center or slightly past so that spine is not the issue.  If spine is the issue simply shoot the shaft longer that normal.  Even thought this wood has a twisted grain the cross sectional density of this wood makes up for it and they are heavy and tough, tough, tough.  Try these sources:
Chicago dowel
Cincinnati dowel
Atlas Dowel
H.A. Stiles