Found Beautiful Purpleheart Board in Iraq. / Arrow Making Question

[WhiteOaks]

I found a large quarter sawn board in an old shack in Mosul Iraq. I thought it was walnut or mahoganey but found out its Purpleheart.
I'm thinking about cutting it down to squares to build full length shafts when I return. I've only heard of purpleheart footed shafts.

Does anyone have any experience with purpleheart shafts?

Thanks

[Bowspirit]

Very heavy and rather high spined seems to be the norm...

[Chris Surtees]

Seen where someone on the site made some shafts out of Purpleheart. They were awesome looking. Tough and really heavy shafts.

Good luck getting that back in the states! A buddy of mine tried to bring some pieces of wood back but it was confiscated by customs. Apparently wood is on the restricted entry list.

[ChuckC]

You can buy Purple heart here in the states at (at least it WAS) a reasonable price.  Might be easier than tryin gto get it thru Customs.

I think you should try to make some arrows.  I hope to soon.  I think that they would work well.  Heck, you can probably go to 5/16 shaft size.
ChuckC

[Blackhawk]

The wood would probably only be confiscated if it was endangered/protected OR it was infested with pests.  

I believe purple heart is not on the list, unlike brazillian rosewood.

[Chris Surtees]

The customs list for Iraq states no wood at all. I have already checked as I have found some awesome pieces of wood that I wanted to send home to give away to some of the knife makers here on the site.

It may seem strange but there is a lot of stuff that we brought over here that will never leave as well.

Better safe an sorry!

[WhiteOaks]

I looked on a few sites and a dozen shafts can go as much as $150.
I think I can get about 8 doz 1/2" shafts out of the piece I found.
Its beautiful wood with the straightest grain I've ever seen.
Next time I get to a FOB I will check with the mail clerks.
Its certainly worth a try.

Thanks for the comments

Randy

[Chris Surtees]

Randy, the post office has updated the unauthorized list and wood has been taken off, but customs still has a local wood restriction on it's list. The term local is used of any untreated wood and they just suggest not to try and take any out since if in doubt they will confiscate it.

Basically it will be up to whoever inspects your package at the post office as to if it can be shipped or not. There was so many issue with frames, plaques, and such that it is just easier for them to have to inspect packages with wood that looks untreated or not manufactored.

You may have a good chance of getting it shipped out. Good luck and hope you can put the wood to good use.

[WhiteOaks]

I've cut most of the board up into 1/2 x 36 for arrows and footings. I got a little over 5 dozen shafts out of the one board. I think I've found 7 more boards the same size but I may leave that for the next wood smart person that travels this way.

These shoots will look mighty fancy in the woods back home in GA. but whose lookin. LOL

Take Care

[razorsharptokill]

Good luck over there and good luck getting that wood home. Should make some awesome shafts!

[Al Kidner]

Likewise mate, well done on the find. Mosul eh.... rather "nice" place in the world to be...


AK.

[Dave Worden]

White Oaks, take one of those boards and put a coat of polyurethane on it, then send it home.  That way it's finished and might make it through.  Send the 1/2 inch ones in a different package.  Who knows, maybe they'll make it.  Good Luck and hurry home.

[Dave Worden]

Another idea!  Make a box out of the boards and ship your stuff home in it.  They may not even see the box!  Remember the old joke about the guy stealing wheelbarrows?