Douglas Fir - Spruce are there difference as arrow material ?

[riivioristo]

Hi folks!
And happy new year to all !
This kind of question to share: I would like to make some arrows from Douglas Fir, but to gain it here in Finland is not so easy. Spruce is very common here. So just if anyone have had those both woods as arrows in use - is there any reason to begin to seek DF shafts or wood to make shafts from or is DF and Spruce so similar, that I should not bother?
Thanks!

[wingnut]

I would think if you could get spruce there that is tight grained and straight it would do well.  You just have to give it a try.  I actually like sitka spruce better the DF for shafts.  And Larch better then both of them.

Mike

[Ric O'Shay]

I've been shooting DF for about a year and like it better than PO cedar. I haven't tried any sitka spruce but I know Jay Massey liked it.

Wingnut - What and why do you like about spruce and larch over DF?

[jhg]

I think DF is stiffer than spruce or fir and certainly heavier in general although in an arrow that difference may be very small.


Joshua

[Orion]

Most of the commercially made spruce arrows here are Sitka spruce, which is quite a bit lighter than Douglas fir, even just a tad lighter than Port Orford cedar.  Doug fir is stronger than Sitka spruce, IMO.  That being said, I agree with Wingnut, a tight,straight  grained indigenous spruce would probably work fine.

[SlowBowinMO]

The Douglas Fir on average will have a higher mass weight than the Spruce, but both are fine shafting material and both are superior IMO to the POC that's commonly available.

[wingnut]

Ric,

When making your own shafts, it's real hard to get DF that will make up well.

The shafts I've bought in DF were way heavy for the spine and made up too an arrow heavier then I was looking for.

I've bought spruce shafts from Raptor and have been very pleased with the arrows.  They made up a bit heavier then POC but a bunch tougher.

Larch is just great when you can get it.  A little heavier the spruce, lighter then DF and tougher then nails.

Mike

[Jmgcurve]

Never used spruce, but love my douglas fir shafts.

[frank bullitt]

I bought some Norway pine shafts, back in the nineties from 3 Rivers. They were nice shafts!Also have shot sitka spruce and lodge pole pine. Nice, straight grained shafts, and tough!

Like said, if you have Spruce available, go for it!

Good shootin, Steve

[Ric O'Shay]

Most of my DF has made completed arrows (28.5" bop and 60/65 spine)in the 555gr to 565gr, that's with 125 FP. With broadheads, each are +35gr heavier. So they have been very good out of my 58# Wesley Special.

The DF has been running about 35 to 40 graiins per shaft heavier than my POCs. I have really like the DF for hunting.

[wingnut]

Rick,

Your DF is a lot lighter in weight then the stuff I got.  Mine made up at about 675 gr.

Mike

[Ric O'Shay]

Mike -

I see what you mean. That would be a little too heavy for me too.

[dnovo]

My first set of Douglas fir I just finished last weel weighed in at 590-598 for a doz. 160 grn points. That is about 30- 40 grn heavier than my POC. These shoot great by the way. I'm shooting 57 #

[Brock]

I love DF arrows....my favorite for looks, weight and durability.  I also like Sitka Spruce...not shot cedars in many years

[Austin Brown]

I too prefer DF or SS over cedar.  Quality shafting is available in both from sponsors here.  Not sure I favor one over the other, Douglas Fir does normally as stated above run a little heavier.I have some of both that have been shot for several seasons now.

[overbo]

I'm working w/ Stika and DF as we speak.What I've seen(which is very limited)the Stika gives me a better % of shafts that are very good quality.
Yes,I'm finding about a 50-90 grain difference in mass weight also.

[snag]

If you buy Surewood Shafts in douglas fir they will a little heavier than POC and spruce. The arrows will come in at about 10gr per lb. with a tip...perfect! They are very durable. I think they are the best wood option out there today. Now if you buy some of those laminated df shafts they may be a lot heavier.   Surewoods!