Ash or Fir?

Riverrat43 · January 11, 2024, 04:52:22 PM

Subject about says it all. I'm taking delivery of a new Creek Walker longbow next week. Donnie, who built it, said that he tested some arrows and with a brace of 6 to 6.75, a 60# spine in ash shot really well. The bow is 66 inches, 45# at my draw of 28 inches. The arrows are at 29.5". I had in mind using Douglas Fir, but had not thought of Ash. Anyone use both and have an opinion of the toughest? Point will be around 160 and may go up to 200. Will also be taking delivery of a Northern Mist with about identical specs in two or three weeks. Hoping the same arrows will work for both. May even go up to a 68" with the NM bow. Still debating that. My hunting is 90% from the ground and distances will rarely if ever exceed my comfort zone of about 17 yds.

Wudstix · January 11, 2024, 05:06:02 PM

Not allot of experience with Doug Fir, but Ash especially tapered arrows are tough and heavy. Can probably count on one hand the number of Ash arrows I have broken. I have been at this game, 50 plus years.

Riverrat43 · January 11, 2024, 05:16:09 PM

I'm pretty new at this and have never shot anything but POC. Lord I've splintered a lot of 'em. I'll need to check out how heavy Ash is compared to Fir. Might make a difference in what point I can shoot best. Thanks Wud.

Wudstix · January 11, 2024, 06:20:01 PM

I don't think Fir and Ash are that much different in weight, maybe 50 grains, I have just found Ash to be pretty bulletproof.

M60gunner · January 11, 2024, 06:33:26 PM

I have used both before. Ash is tough and takes a beating. Fir to me was lighter in weight but not as light as cedar. I used to test my hardwood arrows on a boulder at the clubs old range. Ash and hard rock Maple held up the best. Ramin tended to break behind the point. Didn't get to try the Hickory arrows I made up, they weren't mine.

chefrvitale · January 11, 2024, 08:16:13 PM

Ash almost reminds if of the old fiberglass arrows, heavy and unbreakable.
It's been a very long time since I've shot one but I was surprised at the weight.
I shoot cedar and carbon both around 600 grains on a finished arrow but have been wanting to splice ash and cedar for a very durable arrow with great FOC.

Maclean · January 11, 2024, 10:40:07 PM

I haven't shot any ash, so I'm no help there. But, about 4 years ago I switched from POC to Doug Fir, for a lot of reasons, weight and durability being the main two. I used to break a fair amount of POC shafts, but I haven't broken a single Doug Fir shaft since I switched.

Fallguy · January 12, 2024, 01:20:01 PM

The one caveat with Ash shaves is the grain must be straight. If there is any run out they well shear off on the grain line, they also run very heavy for their diameter. So they can be harder to shoot out of lighter bows. I prefered Doug Fir when I was able to get good quality shaft material.

Wudstix · January 12, 2024, 10:25:52 PM

With a bow that will push them Ash arrows are hard to beat. Coupled with a wide head and tapered arrows they really rock.

trad_bowhunter1965 · January 13, 2024, 12:00:37 PM

Quote from: Wudstix on January 12, 2024, 10:25:52 PM
With a bow that will push them Ash arrows are hard to beat. Coupled with a wide head and tapered arrows they really rock.

What's your Ash finish weight ?

Tim Finley · January 13, 2024, 12:07:22 PM

Ash doesnt like to stay straight and you usually have to use heat to straighten. Doug Fir gets straight and stays its a very good arrow maybe better than cedar .

dnovo · January 13, 2024, 02:07:24 PM

I've made and shot both ash and fir arrows. The first dozen ash I made were really awesome arrows. I was shooting over 60# at the time so the weight wasn't an issue. The next couple dozen ash arrows I made up were probably the worst arrows I've ever had. They wouldn't stay straight, shot inconsistently, jus all around lousy arrows.
The douglas fir I've had and used have all been great arrows. Little less weight than ash but still plenty heavy. Hardly any straightening involved and they stayed straight. I would recommend them over the ash. Ash could be hard to find also.
I've been shooting most cedar as I have dozens of shafts, but still have some fir that I use frequently.

Wudstix · January 13, 2024, 09:30:32 PM

Blake;
Tapered and footed POC with big Snuffer usually weigh @635 grains, tapered Ash with same weight head weigh @725-35 grains. 29" arrows. I most be lucky cause have never had a straightness problem with Ash, now hickory,?!?!?!

Riverrat43 · January 14, 2024, 08:53:07 AM

Thanks all for the advice and comments. I think I'll go with fir. Now to look in to what spine I need and where to buy them.

Maclean · January 14, 2024, 10:15:09 AM

Quote from: Riverrat43 on January 14, 2024, 08:53:07 AM
Thanks all for the advice and comments. I think I'll go with fir. Now to look in to what spine I need and where to buy them.

It's hard to find better quality and consistency than Surewood Shafts. The best I've ever purchased.

elkken · January 14, 2024, 10:49:44 AM

Sherwood makes fine fir shafts and I think 60-65# spine would work for you

trad_bowhunter1965 · January 14, 2024, 10:55:13 AM

Quote from: Wudstix on January 13, 2024, 09:30:32 PM
Blake;
Tapered and footed POC with big Snuffer usually weigh @635 grains, tapered Ash with same weight head weigh @725-35 grains. 29" arrows. I most be lucky cause have never had a straightness problem with Ash, now hickory,?!?!?!

Thank you.

Riverrat43 · January 14, 2024, 12:40:13 PM

Not sure my skill set will allow actually making complete arrows. I've fletched a bunch of 'em but will probably look into at first buying ready made fir with surewood shafts.

Maclean · January 14, 2024, 12:50:01 PM

Quote from: Riverrat43 on January 14, 2024, 12:40:13 PM
Not sure my skill set will allow actually making complete arrows. I've fletched a bunch of 'em but will probably look into at first buying ready made fir with surewood shafts.

If that's the route you're going to take, Archery Past and Addictive Archery both make nice arrows with Surewood doug fir.