Using vineage cedar arrows.. What to look for safety wise?

[Tyler C. Moore]

I have always shot carbon and aluminum, it's just how I was introduced to the sport. But like many others, the allure of wood shafts always has me itching to shoit wood.

I recently had the opportunity to buy 15 dozen vintage  port orford cedar shafts. They are labeled "Arrows by Raulf" . after some research I leaned about their company which was interesting.

My question is this. Should I have any worries about theae shafts possibly from the 60's. Should I be checking for dryness or brittle shafts?

I plan on making many up for friends as I practice finishing them and want to make sure they are perfectly safe... Spine matched to bows of course. Thanks

[Orion]

Were those the painted ones that were on the big auction site recently?

If they're painted, there's really not much you can do to check for grain run out. You won't be able to tell which end of the arrow has the straightest grain and thus should be used for the nock end of the arrow.  Also makes it more difficult to identify the correct orientation for the nock, 90 degrees to the bow side plate, but not impossible. Can determine that by looking at the grain after you cut or grind the nock taper.

Check for cracks and weaknesses like you would with any wood shafts.  Flex them and look for splinters, splits, etc.  Of course, straighten them if they need it before making them into arrows.

Unless they were what were called utility shafts, which generally had a lot of grain run out, but were still serviceable, the shafts likely have pretty good grain and will make fine arrows.  Have fun.

[Tyler C. Moore]

These are all bare shafts that have never been touched. All 5/16" and 32" uncut. Thanks for the info. Guess I have a lot of checking and inspection to do..

[M60gunner]

From past experience I would remount the points. The hot melt has probably gotten brittle. If they have plastic nocks check them very close. The plastic may have gotten brittle as well. Both of these things I have learned about from bad experience. Make sure your backstop is soft as well.

[Hud]

I would check them regardless of age. Older shafts might be better if the grain is straighter.  I have older shaft and prefer the quality.

[Kelly]

5/16 shafts are going to be low spine, most likely under 40# so that needs to be considered. Fault made a bunch of Arrows, especially kids Arrows. They also were distributors who sold in bulk to other small dealers. They did not make the shafts, most likely Acme or Rose City did. Have found the quality of older wood shafts to be way better than today's, but even back then there were grades of lessor quality being sold.

You will need to spine them and check for obvious cracks, splits, nicks etc. Good luck, any more questions just ask. A close up picture of the shafts will help a lot for us to ascertain the quality.

[Tyler C. Moore]

Thanks for the insight! I actually don't mind the lower quality as I am planning on making lots of kids arrows to give away at shoots. There is Nothing better than kids smiling and flinging arrows.

I will put up some pictures of the shafts when they arrive. I appreciate it. I just want to know they are safe.

[MnFn]

I actually had bought a set of these new in the 1960's.  I thought they were decent.  

If you hear any funny sound when shooting them, like a little "click". Stop shooting the arrow.

I had a POC from another reputable company shatter upon the release. Fortunately I just got a long scratch on my hand.  On the shot immediately preceding broken arrow, I heard a little click sound when the arrow hit the bag.  First and only time for me.

I bought some old Bear arrows off of Edat, they sold for less than the price of the 12 Bear razorheads that were on them. I was a bit surprised to find that they paid no attention at all to grain alignment.  I bought another dozen for real cheap with Bear heads that said they were 2016s, from the pics I knew they were not, but I wanted the heads. What they were are the most perfect tapered cedar shafts that I have ever seen. My wife almost cried when one broke when she shot a buck with it. The arrow hit the far side scapula and had the feather end still in the deer, the buck fell on it and broke the shaft.  Old can be good or not, check them out carefully, check the spine and give them a good bend and listen for cracks, before shooting them.