Hardwood Shafts?

[Roger Norris]

I would like to hear from guys using hardwoods. Straight? Durable?What woods? Thanks

[PaulRoberts]

The only hardwood I've used is ash, from Allegheny Mountain Arrow Woods. I like ash a LOT. It offers good mass for my trad and selfbows, stains beautifully, is inexpensive compared to other woods, and is very durable. This last is critical for me here in the Rockies as I do a lot of roving amongst all those rocks.

Ash is hard enough that it requires heat to straighten, which is easy enough to do -I use a heat gun. I also use an arrow straightening "wrench" too, for any tighter curves. Mine is simply a 3/8" piece of hardwood with a hole drilled through it. Ash stays straight after heat straightening.

I cannot think of a downside to ash, unless you are shooting light bows and/or a hunting weight bow in which you want to go under 10 grains/lb draw weight. I shoot for 11 to 12 grains/lb. in my big game bows (50 to 60lb), and ash is perfect for this. For my light bows I use Sitka.

I really like Allegheny Mountain too. They've been very easy to work with, supplying test shafts (3 spine weights), and shafts within a certain weight range to match draw weights of certain bows.

[ron w]

I have used Ash and laminated birch, both need to be tweaked now and then for straightness. Both are heavy [if that's what your looking for] and durable. Great for stumping. As for use on game....if I ever could shoot something I would tell ya....LOL!       They also at 725 gr make noise a non issue!

[Roger Norris]

Thanks guys. Does Allegheny sell finished arrows?

[stringstretcher]

You might want to check out some poplar.  Magnus has them.

[PaulRoberts]

Allegheny does sell arrows. Don't know about turnaround time though.

[meathead]

I have shot a lot of laminated birch from Allegheny.  Nice heavy arrow.  I have shot some hickory too.  Talk about a near indestuctable wood arrow.  Hard to keep straight though.