POLL:what kind of arrows?

[Bowferd]

Wood and bamboo.
No aluminums remaining except a few broken ones to foot a couple dz. carbons left around.

[Gumby]

I like to use both... still nothing really beats the look of wood.  

[Fletcher]

All wood for me, too.  For those that want them, high FOC woods are very doable.  I'm up to around 17-19% and will be going higher with my next batch.

[amar911]

I like carbon the best because the arrows I use are very tough and don't require maintenance. Wood is definitely beautiful and is "traditional" in the sense that it was one of the oldest and most natural materials used in making shafts, but is too much work for me and doesn't easily accommodate inserts to change out points and nocks. Aluminum may be the best for target shooters, but is not as good for hunting in my opinion.

I do agree with an earlier post that carbon is not "traditional" in the sense it was not used by people who had to rely solely on primitive weapons, but the person posting said he shot aluminum arrows, indicating they were sufficiently "traditional". That seems to be a rather difficult line to draw, especially since James Easton was the first person to manufacture aluminum arrows and that did not happen until 1939. There are a lot of people on this site who were alive before the first aluminum arrow shaft was manufactured. What makes an aluminum arrow traditional but not a carbon arrow? If traditional archery is defined by materials, then most bows made today that we refer to as "traditional" really aren't because they have materials in them that were developed after the first carbon shafts.

Allan

[elknutz]

What he said^

[John3]

I fought the "NASA" carbon arrows for years... Of course I was wrong to do so. Carbon are by far the best shaft material I have ever used.

I should add that out of selfbows and some of my longbows I still only shoot POC arrows. I'm afraid my selfbows would burst into flames if I tried to shoot a carbon arrow from it.. LOL

[Benny Nganabbarru]

I've used them all, but prefer wood now.

[far rider]

Like the good ole woods

[smokin joe]

Wood.
When I break them I get to make more. That's OK with me.

[ren sarns]

mostly carbon now.  Can't beat them

[Rooselk]

I primarily hunt with wood arrows. I've had Vapor Blackhawk carbons in the past and I will say in all honesty that they were excellent. But to my mind, warped as it is, I somehow couldn't bring what's left of the grey matter to harmonize carbon with the idea of the trad thing. As of late, though, I've tried Easton Legacy aluminum arrows and I'm as harmonized as a dog with a juicy bone.

Long story short, to keep content what little brain cells I still possess, I prefer wood but have made my peace with aluminum.

[ottertails]

Wood.  Always have...Always will
Stocked up on Poc 20+ yrs ago, still have close to 1,200 shafts, along w/some Doug fir & others.
Never tried carbon or alum....nothing against it.

[MercilessMing]

Wood and bamboo.  They recover better for my release.

[the longbowkid]

alright guys I am pulling the poll soon, so vote quick!!! I want to get accurate results, so everybody vote!  

[rickshot]

I mostly shoot aluminums as I couldn't as easily afford the number of arrows I have otherwise. The woods come out when I've got more serious shooting to do. Rick.

[Arrow4Christ]

I have shot them all, carbons most frequently, but I think Douglas Fir is going to be my new choice in arrow shafting for my longbows. I really enjoy making them and shooting them and couldn't be more pleased with their toughness, consistency, and workability  

Craig

[shadman]

I shoot them all. They're all "traditional enough for me.

[Hoser1268]

Quote "I do agree with an earlier post that carbon is not "traditional" in the sense it was not used by people who had to rely solely on primitive weapons, but the person posting said he shot aluminum arrows, indicating they were sufficiently "traditional". That seems to be a rather difficult line to draw, especially since James Easton was the first person to manufacture aluminum arrows and that did not happen until 1939. There are a lot of people on this site who were alive before the first aluminum arrow shaft was manufactured. What makes an aluminum arrow traditional but not a carbon arrow? If traditional archery is defined by materials, then most bows made today that we refer to as "traditional" really aren't because they have materials in them that were developed after the first carbon shafts."

It greatly depends on what you consider traditional archery.  To me when I think of traditional archery I think of Fred Bear or Howard Hill.  I think of the time period right before the first compound bow. Aluminum , fiberglass and wood all fit into this category. Most people go to carbon for performance.  I don't think at 20 yards you are going to see the difference between a carbon or wood arrow on an animal. Traditional archery to me is getting as close as you can to your game and making a good well placed shot.  If I wanted long range performance I would have stayed with my compound bow with carbon arrows which i could hit a baseball most of the time at 50 yards.  No disrespect to all you carbon shooters. This is just my outlook on traditional archery. Everybody should shoot what ever makes them happy.

[Tsalagi]

Wood only. And now going to making my own wood shafts from shoots.

[Big Bird]

Aluminum but going to try some carbon.