Fighting the urges for wooden arrows

[Wheels2]

I know that they are out there but I can't seem to find compressed cedar arrow shafts.
I know aluminum is the logical way to go but I just can't help myself.
How about the compressed fir of the Forgewoods?  I would prefer cedar just to keep the weight down a bit.

[stabow]

I would give David Lawson from Wilderness arrows a call he's a sponsor he should be able to help you out.......stabow

[Orion]

Hmmmmm.  As far as I know, no one is currently making compressed cedar shafts, not using the Sweetland method anyway. Those of us who managed to squirrel away a few Sweetland shafts over the years aren't parting with them.  

May be a few around who run the shafts through dies to squeeze the diameter down a bit.  This process compresses the outside fibers of the shaft, though, not the entire shaft.  Doesn't work well on Doug fir because of the difference in hardness between winter and summer growth rings. Fortunately, Doug fir doesn't need to be compressed.  It's heavy enough and strong enough without it.  

Still some good POC around (not compressed) as well, but it's a bit harder to find.

[snag]

No compressed wood shafts like Mr. Sweetland used to make. There are "burnished" shafts. But like Orion said there really isn't any need for it with the quality of shaft Surewood is making out of douglas fir. Excellent shafts!

[Homebru]

Hi William,
Orion put it quite well.  Having recently purchased a dozen arrows from Snag, I would wholeheartedly recommend his craft.  I'm sure that there are lots of arrowmakers here on TG that do great work.  I just know what I got from Snag firsthand and would not hesitate to suggest you give him a call.  I've shot carbon arrows for many years and will be buying more woodies from Snag moving forward.

Hope this helps
homebru

   

[SELFBOW19953]

I'm just the opposite, I want the weight in my arrows.  I prefer hardwoods-laminated birch, ash, hickory, ramin, etc.

[CRS]

Don't fight the urge, a great set of woodies has serious juju going for it.  While a poor set of woodies is nothing but frustration.

Building a great set of woodies is a true labor of love.

[Bjorn]

When it comes to making arrows nothing is more expensive than cheap shafting!

[stelug]

I remember I used doing arrows my self starting from squared shaft in the old way. Setting them in a special bead of wood so to have the corner up and then shaving it plane so to obtain and octagon, then a new passage again  on all eigh corners, and at the end rounding them in an appropriated bloc of whood with a hole apparelled with sandpaper. A true labour for a few arrow wich I didn't thrust too much. But where good enaught for one shot and discard.

[CRS]

Originally posted by Bjorn:
When it comes to making arrows nothing is more expensive than cheap shafting!

You said a mouthful there!

[Jim Wright]

There is no reason to "fight the urge". Hildebrand Sitka Spruce, the already mentioned Surewood Douglas Fir and though much harder to find quality Cedar all make great arrows. They are quiet, fly beautifully and particularly with the Douglas Fir heavy shafts are available. I only shoot wood anymore, mostly Fir and I find that they come straight as raw shafts and are easy to keep that way.

[TRAP]

Originally posted by Bjorn:
When it comes to making arrows nothing is more expensive than cheap shafting!

Very well said my friend  

[Wannabe1]

Don't fight it! You'll only be here again down the road.  

[Centex]

Nothing flys truer than a good wood arrow.  As soon as I get space I will start making my own.

[Rick Richard]

I have carbon and wood shafts and it ceases to amaze me how I can achieve perfect flight with woodies versus carbons.  

Recently, I have gone to Douglas Fir and very impressed with the quality and durability of these shafts.  Will I be making my elk hunt this fall to Wyoming using woodies? Absolutely!

[sagebrush]

If it were me I would buy either sitka spruce or doug fir. Jim Wright above told you where to get them. They both make very tough arrows. The sitkas are generally lighter. But you can call them and see what weights are available and at what spines.I still have some cedars I shoot that I made in the eighties but they seem to break a little easier. Gary