Now the ONE Survival Arrow Shaft

[Pat B]

These are the shafts I use all the time. I don't buy shafts anymore, I make them all from hardwood shoots and cane. If you are in a survival situation neither carbon or aluminum grow on trees. 

[Terry Green]

Sorry Pat, I get what you are saying, we would ALL have to make arrows if we ran out. The question didn't pertain to that you didn't buy any arrows any more, or what grows in the woods, its what shaft material you would start with/like to have with you that you would consider to be the best choice for survival.

Hope that clarifies it further. 

[stevem]

Carbon Express Heritage

[trad_bowhunter1965]

Wood arrows.

[Rob DiStefano]

Wood 'n' Wensels.

[black velvet]

Well, I'll go with a 1916 Aluminum legacy. Works good out of all my bows.

[Possum Head]

Interesting! As long as I’ve viewed Trad Gang Carbon Express have been called a tough shaft. Are there any other CE arras close to as tough as the Heritage?

[Squirrel Hunter]

Hickory

[Tajue17]

I guess for survival i think aluminums because i can use them for other things like roasting meat,  maybe blow small darts maybe to hunt beetles or other small protein snacks,  im sure you can do some of that bushwhacking stuff too..... i think aluminums are more versatile in a survival situation than carbons.   

Im kinda joking too 😳

[Wudstix]

Wood, I'd probably go with tapered and footed Hickory.  If I was counting on one arrow, I'm with Joe and a fiberglas fishing arrow.
 

[pdk25]

Fiberglass fishing arrow

[Kirkll]

That’s a tough one…. For survival of the shafts themselves I would go with high quality bamboo, or solid fiberglass fishing arrows. You could use either one for fishing arrows for your own survival.

For good quality hunting shafts that have the best survival rate, I would choose a carbon shaft and use an aluminum footing. Kirk

[Steve Clandinin]

For a survival shaft ,it would be hickory soaked in coal oil for a month like the mountain men did with there ramrods, I’ve done this many times ,they are basically indestructible.

[snag]

A Sweetland Forgewood shaft from days gone by.

[RIVERWOLF]

Though my wood shaft knowledge is lacking compared to many here , what Steve Clandinin says makes a lot of sense with the Hickory shafts . Hickery is TOUGH as is, and in these parts AVAILIABLE  which is crucial  in a survival situation on a long term  (indefinite) situation .   

Lots of arrow options in these parts..River Cane -dogwood-hickory -maple-even Osage could be another , though getting enough  for straight sharts could be  testing to say the least...
For a survival Bow wood ...in these parts...Osage-Hickory again shine if I can't take my Montana Longbow ...Fun thread ;^)

[MarlinMark]

Douglas Fir - SureWood Shafts made in Oregon. 

[Orion]

I've shot wood for 60 years, but if I had to pick one material for survival, it would be carbon.  Just tougher, more durable than wood. But if I did have to use "wood", it would be hickory or bamboo. 

[PaPaFrank]

i agree, ive used wood shafts for years, but if i could only choose one in a survival situation it would be carbon

[Maclean]

For me it would be a heavy spined Douglas fir shaft. I've broken many cedar shafts but doug fir has yet to let me down.

[Terry Green]

#1 Arrow Dynamics Hammerheads.  Tuffest arrow I've ever experienced that compared to compressed maple, but they don't ever need straightening.  The double wrapped, radial wrapped front end is the key.