Ramin Wood Arrow Shafts

[Scioto]

I recently bought a couple hundred 5/16" Ramin wood dowels to try out for hunting arrows.  One thing that I noticed when checking them on my spine tester, is unlike most woods with a distinct grain that have a stiff spot on either side of the shaft (ie. 6 and 12 o'clock depending on grain orientation) the Ramin shafts seem to have only one area of stiff spine, and the grain is very difficult if not impossible to read. They may spine at 65# at 1 spot, and 45# everywhere else when I turn it on the tester. If I'm going for 45# spine, can I orient the nocks anywhere it reads 45#, or does the nock need to be oriented at the stiffest point? Are there any tricks when putting on the nocks, to get good arrow flight?  What kind of luck has everyone had with Ramin shafts?  Thanks for any input!

Jeff

[Aeronut]

I have shot a lot of ramin shafts and found the same results with spine testing.  I always went toward the safe side and used the lower reading.  Had to go through a lot of them to get a few dozen.  What I shot were pretty tough arrows and flew just fine and I still have several of them.

Dennis

[SuperK]

I love the 5/16 ramin shafts I got from Twig archery.  He includes a note with his shafting that states "rotating the nock to another cock feather may be required in order to "fine tune" (it.)  This is due to the grain structure of the melawis hardwood."  I have had to do this on a couple of arrows that I had mounted bhs on.  This cleared'em right up.  I hope this helps you.

[Shakes.602]

I just make 'em and Shoot 'em!!      I Think I Broke One Once, but thats because I stepped on it!! While Looking For it to add Insult to Injury!! My Son Sure got a  BIG  Laugh out of it!!