Primitive shafting and Sunday morning

Mark Baker · August 15, 2004, 05:36:00 PM

Nice Tim! Maybe I'll get em just in time for the season.

I also finished a couple of shafts - cane - that Dano gave to me... put the same damascus trade points on em, and they shoot right along with the others.

I'll see if I can get a couple pics together....if I can figure out the process....

sticshooter · August 15, 2004, 08:00:00 PM

SEE this thread is one of the reason's I call TRAD GANG HOME!NUFF SAID><><

the Ferret · August 15, 2004, 08:10:00 PM

LOL I've always said the middle can do anything it wants as long as the nock and tip are in alignment ha ha

the Ferret · August 15, 2004, 08:12:00 PM

SuperKodiak pull up a thread called "Dano's arrow"..it is made from BlackHaw Viburnum.

Dano · August 15, 2004, 08:35:00 PM

Great pictorial Mickey, just reminds me I gotta get ta makin arrows soon.

Timo · August 15, 2004, 08:50:00 PM

Mickey,I've been working on some "ocean spray" and some "rose".I can tell ya that the rose I have is some of the best arrow material, that I have ever worked with! I cut it in a multifora patch,but this stuff had very few thorns,very straight,and tall. It's a breeze to straightin, and is minding it's manners! I'm wondering if it isnt' a hybrid?

The ocean spray, is coming along well.A lot more dense,(hence the weight)takes a bit more heat to get it to correct. I'm haveing a rough time getting out all the kinks!

What bout yourself?

the Ferret · August 15, 2004, 10:01:00 PM

I agree with ya Timo on these branches needing more heat than say cane in order to straighten, but once hot enough seem to straighten well and some do seem to have a stubborn spot in them now and again but not as bad as the rose I worked. Hmm a rose that's straight and no thorns? Never been stuck in a patch of that stuff ha ha I did however cut too close to a patch of multiflora on my riding mower Saturday and had to pull one of those thorns out of the underside of my bicep...OWWWWWW

cjones · August 16, 2004, 12:42:00 AM

Good job as always lil buddy.

the Ferret · August 16, 2004, 07:40:00 AM

Photographer is an up and coming primtive archer. I'm teaching him all the ways of making bows with wood using nothing but hand tools, arrows of crooked primitive shafting and broadheads of ol worn out bandsaw blading. He "WAS" one of those hoity toity traditionalists with a lot of fancy glass bows, lots of pretty painted arrows and could shoot like Howard Hill. I've almost got him completely ruined...I just need a little more time

countrygirl · August 16, 2004, 08:10:00 AM

Hey guys..

If I trim the neighbors bamboo that is dragging on my truck roof when I come down the drive...(happens every time it rains) what do I do next with it...in order to make shafts out of it? Dina

the Ferret · August 16, 2004, 08:15:00 AM

Dina try and find pieces that are about the same diameter as the arrows you shoot. Cut them about 36" long and bundle them up with string and stick them someplace to dry. Will take from 3-6 months for the cane to dry sufficiently to make into arrows.

trashwood · August 16, 2004, 08:53:00 AM

any body can make a bow, takes a craftsman to make an arrow. Ferret makes some good 'uns

rusty

Dano · August 16, 2004, 11:55:00 AM

I can certainly vouch for that Rusty, the viburnum arrow Mickey made for me is a "humm dinger"

George Tsoukalas · August 16, 2004, 12:50:00 PM

Very nice, Ferret.
Jawge

the Ferret · August 16, 2004, 02:24:00 PM

Thank ya Rusty, Dano and Jawge

the Ferret · August 16, 2004, 10:31:00 PM

1st time with heat and 2 of the shafts, the grey dogwood and ocean spray straightened real well and will need maybe one more session, while the other 2 will need a couple of sessions. Once you get them properly heated they bend very easily.

countrygirl · August 16, 2004, 10:44:00 PM

Thanks Mickey...I got home to late tonight to trim the bamboo...will do it tomorrow.

I have plant in my yard that I have wondered about..It is a night blooming Jasmine...has an intoxicating fragrance...this is not the vineing type...this grows straight up in a bush...grows to about roof height..now if we get a freeze down here...then it gets killed back to ground level..and regrows in the Spring back up to the same height...............

The stems are ........hmmm....hollow when dry...if it gets frozen back..they can be snapped off to encourage new growth...I have thought...that could be a bad sign...

Do you all know if they have any potential as arrow shafts?

the Ferret · August 16, 2004, 10:53:00 PM

Chances are Dina if it is real hollow and light weight and snaps easy it won't make a good arrow shaft.

I've been messing with some Horseweed aka Mare's tail aka Fleabane that some guy in Primitive Archer said made good shafts but it too is very hollow and lightweight and snaps easy. I'm not having much luck with it. Maybe make a good kids arrow?

**DONOTDELETE** · August 16, 2004, 10:57:00 PM

Dang Mickey, yer an inspiration!!!!

Pat B · August 16, 2004, 11:07:00 PM

Mickey, I've been pulling horseweed lately to try. I'll let you know how they work out. I've heard that dog fennell works as shafts also. It's a weed type also so I imagine they are good for a couple of shots, only...emergency shafts. Pat

If anyone out there would like to try sourwood shoots, I have a few to trade and will have more this winter.