wood vs carbon

[AlbertaHunter]

Hi everyone, im new to traditional archery and was wondering what everyone likes better wood are carbon arrows and why? Also which is heavier? I have some carbon express traditional arrows with the brass inserts and they are fairly heavy can I get wood arrows that heavy?

[Cecil]

Ask on PowWow they will help you.

[Instinctive1]

I like cedar, for me they always fly the best. I buy the shafts, fletch and tip them. They fly well for me, I've broken one in two years when I accidentally hit a rock. They're also easy to modify, you can cut them with a small serrated knife.

[Chris P. Bacon]

I am new (since X-mas 2010) to the traditional archery but have spent this time trying both carbon and wooden arrows.  My experience has been that using my longbow(s) carbon flies straighter and farther right out of the box.  My wooden arrows, depending on how they are tipped and the shaft spine and straightness are a bit more tempermental.  However, getting the straightest wooden shafts, right fletching and right bow set up, the wooden arrows I have now fly as well as my carbon arrows. I am trying to keep it traditional all the way but know many who shoot carbon arrows from their LBs and recurves as I do.  When either shatter, its easier to re-tip the wooden arrows.  You have to look down those wooden shafts to make sure there straight.  I've been told that out of a 100 wooden shafts only a small percentage are true, I have not read or researched that statement.  I would imagine that the more you want to spend the better the shaft straightness will be.

[T Lail]

I like wood.....have shot them for forty years....get good quality and you can shoot them as well as aluminum or carbon.....it is all what you like.......

[LimBender]

Seems like carbon is easier for a newer guy like me to master, tune, and get a consistent set.

I have 3 small kids and am looking forward to having more time to master fletching (I'm not good), tapering, straightening, spining, cresting, and all that goes into wood arrows.  

I disagree that wood (or at least POC) is as durable as carbon.  I broke 2 arrows and from slapping arrows ripped into a third shooting POC.  I've shot carbon at least 5x more and have broken 1 arrow.  

But wood is cool, smells good when it breaks, and flies well, it's just not as manufactured and IMHO takes more time and effort.

On weight, you can get a decent range of weight in wood, but usually have to go up in diameter (bigger than carbon).  But the best way to get weight is to stick a big 200-300 grain head on.

I'm new like you and these are just a few things I've figured out, but playing around with the arrows is half the fun.

Magnus is a custom wood arrow maker on here, and he might be able to help you if you are looking for something specific.

[gretchen]

I like carbon but I love wood.good wood shafts can sometimes be hardntomget but once you get it theyre as good as any.

For years people told me that carbon is the only choice for consistent 3D shooting and indoor 300 round.

I went to te IBO World Trad championship this past weekend with my woodies shooting in the recurve division and finished 5th place.I don't feel like wood handicaps me at all.you've just got to be careful not to get wood over 11 gpp for 3D


Dewayne Martin

[okie64]

Carbons take a lot less effort so if you dont have the time to mess with woodies then shoot carbons. I like wood arrows myself. I've used lots of different kinds of wood for arrows but poplar is my favorite, it can take a beating and its lighter than most of the other hardwoods. Hickory will make the toughest wood arrows by far but they are pretty heavy. Even really light cedar arrows will probably still be as heavy as the carbons your shooting now.

[Sixby]

KInd of seems like this topic is in the wrong forum ans should be in the main discussion forum. God bless you all, steve