Aspen for arrows?

[kevinbarry]

Has anyone tried Aspen for arrow shafts?If so how  well did it work. Thanks,Kev.

[Matty]

Interesting thought. Coming from the land of aspens. I would think the only thing they are good for is taking pictures      
But seriously I think it would be hard to dowel. Or be too brittle.

[calgarychef]

Aspen, poplar?  That's what they found on the Mary Rose apparently, the Engliish used it to good effect at Agincourt.

[kevinbarry]

Thanks for reply guys.

[Matty]

Would love to see some more replies from some arrow gurus?

[Blackhawk]

"Google" and ye shall find beaucoup.

From most of what I read, they make a pretty good arrow even though lacking in the "looks" department.  Paint'em up and go shoot.

[Art B]

It's grain is probably the hardest to read of all the different woods I've used. Very white and plain. You're not going to get high spined shafts, say the same as poplar. Expect between 45-55# on average.

It's one wood that'll pleasantly surprise if you know what you're doing...........Art

[Sam McMichael]

If they were found on the Mary Rose, I would think that they would be capable of very stiff spine.

[Pat B]

My favorite Art B arrow is an aspen arrow with walnut footing and footed selfnock and is marked 50#-55#.
 

 

 

[Art B]

I don't think I could repeat those footings using a hacksaw anymore Pat, LOL!  Art B

[Pat B]

Art, I couldn't do it with precision woodworking tools much less a hacksaw. d;^)

[kevinbarry]

I did notice the grain is hard to see.As far as spine goes 40 to 50 pounds will be fine.I bought this wood at Lowes because it was the only wood i could find that was clear of knots.So I guess it is time to cut some squares and break out the block plane!!!Thanks again for all the input...Kev

[Art B]

That's where I found my boards Kevin. Two foot boards was all I could get at the time. Thus the footing. Understand, aspen or any other arrow woods, bought from these big box stores, although dry, aren't seasoned enough to show an arrow's true potential as a great shooting arrow material.

I was disappointed at first with aspen. I laid my first set back for a couple of years and was totally surprised with there performance after that. That's when I really started to understand the real value of seasoned wood..........Art