Aussie Arrow Timbers
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Aussie Arrow Timbers
I was cutting some fire wood recently and I got to thinking about the properties that make a great arrow. I spent the last week trawling the net to come up with some answers but to I am more confused than I was.
So
I appeal to the collective knowledge of Ozbow to find an answer
What Native aussie timbers have great arrow making properties and why????
So
I appeal to the collective knowledge of Ozbow to find an answer
What Native aussie timbers have great arrow making properties and why????
Bowhunting (Hunting for Bows)
Known Carrier of "Fox Bow Fever"
Known Carrier of "Fox Bow Fever"
Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
Quandong, silver Ash, chundoo are three I know of.
nil illigitimo in desperandum carborundum
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Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
What about hoop pine? That is an ozzy timber is it not?
Ron
Ron
may your arrows fly straight and true and your limbs return.
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Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
yes - aracaria cunninhamii is
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Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
Something light but stiff makes a good arrow. Straight grain doesn't hurt either.
Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
Has anyone tried any of the banksia family
Bowhunting (Hunting for Bows)
Known Carrier of "Fox Bow Fever"
Known Carrier of "Fox Bow Fever"
Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
A decent arrow wood needs straight grain, to be strong, elastic and flexible. Some Woods feel dull out of a Bow and seem sluggish recovering from Paradox. I like a medium weight timber as too much mass makes for a sluggish Arrow ie Ramin is heavy and slow, it feels dull out of the Bow where my favourite Aussie Arrow Wood Hoop Pine, feels lively when it leaves the Bow.
No doubt there will be someone out there that will say there is nothing concrete and scientific about what I say, it's a bit Vague but it best describes what I look for in an Arrow Wood. I have used Beef Wood, Silky Oak and Timber from unidentified Grevilia's for Arrow Footings. I made some Arrows from Western Red Cedar years ago. They were surprisingly strong. They where for a 30#Bow and about 3/8" Dia.
I have also made arrows from Pink Ash, nice reasonably heavy Arrow. Made a Bow from that same Log and had a Bow that Shot itself :] Grey Ironbark made a massively heavy Arrow similar in mass to Ipe. It made for a sluggish Arrow. Silver Ash / Quandong makes excellent Arrows. Not Native but Kwila makes a heavy nice shooting Arrow
I think it was Mark Harvey that was running around with some Bunya Pine Arrows, at the time he did not have any issue's with them if memory serves correct
regards Perry
No doubt there will be someone out there that will say there is nothing concrete and scientific about what I say, it's a bit Vague but it best describes what I look for in an Arrow Wood. I have used Beef Wood, Silky Oak and Timber from unidentified Grevilia's for Arrow Footings. I made some Arrows from Western Red Cedar years ago. They were surprisingly strong. They where for a 30#Bow and about 3/8" Dia.
I have also made arrows from Pink Ash, nice reasonably heavy Arrow. Made a Bow from that same Log and had a Bow that Shot itself :] Grey Ironbark made a massively heavy Arrow similar in mass to Ipe. It made for a sluggish Arrow. Silver Ash / Quandong makes excellent Arrows. Not Native but Kwila makes a heavy nice shooting Arrow
I think it was Mark Harvey that was running around with some Bunya Pine Arrows, at the time he did not have any issue's with them if memory serves correct
regards Perry
"To my deep morticication my father once said to me, 'You care for nothing but shooting, dogs and rat catching, and you will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family.' "
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Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
Yes Perry still shoot the Bunya pine much the same as Hoop pine, in fact working them and shooting them most people would be hard pressed to tell the difference.
Here is my list of timber that I have made arrows from, they are not all Aussie.
Hoop Pine, Great to work with, Good arrow
Bunya Pine, Great to work with, Good arrow
Norfolk Pine, Great to work with, Does not make a good arrow to many pin knots.
Radiata Pine, Great to work with, very inconsistent arrows would not stay straight.
Slash Pine, lets just not go there.
Silver Quandong, Great to work with, Good arrow, Only use timber that has not been in a kiln.
Vic Ash, Ok to work, I like them for hunting arrows, a lot of waste as this timber can have a lot of checking.
Qld Maple, Great to work with, Can be a bit weak on the spine side of things.
Merbau, Great to work with, Good very heavy hunting arrows, If it is bent it will not straighten.
Tassie Oak, Ok to work, Much the same as Vic Ash can be very brittle with one of the species they use in the mix.
Douglas Fir, I find it a pain to work, Good arrows
Western Red Cedar, Good to work, did not find it had much spine.
Biggest problem is getting a consistent supply of timber.
Here is my list of timber that I have made arrows from, they are not all Aussie.
Hoop Pine, Great to work with, Good arrow
Bunya Pine, Great to work with, Good arrow
Norfolk Pine, Great to work with, Does not make a good arrow to many pin knots.
Radiata Pine, Great to work with, very inconsistent arrows would not stay straight.
Slash Pine, lets just not go there.
Silver Quandong, Great to work with, Good arrow, Only use timber that has not been in a kiln.
Vic Ash, Ok to work, I like them for hunting arrows, a lot of waste as this timber can have a lot of checking.
Qld Maple, Great to work with, Can be a bit weak on the spine side of things.
Merbau, Great to work with, Good very heavy hunting arrows, If it is bent it will not straighten.
Tassie Oak, Ok to work, Much the same as Vic Ash can be very brittle with one of the species they use in the mix.
Douglas Fir, I find it a pain to work, Good arrows
Western Red Cedar, Good to work, did not find it had much spine.
Biggest problem is getting a consistent supply of timber.
Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
is it that good wooden shafts are hard to find- or just want to use some local wood.
i saw chundoo was mentioned.
do you have lodgepole pine in aus?
i saw chundoo was mentioned.
do you have lodgepole pine in aus?
Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
Jeez you get around don't you fujimo? LOL Heh heh.
nil illigitimo in desperandum carborundum
razorbows.com
razorbows.com
Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
how yer doing fella- still love your bows!!!
good job mate!
good job mate!
Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
Hey thanks!. Few issues with health lately but still trucking on! Got to get a bit of our wood to you one day before long, owe you for that.
nil illigitimo in desperandum carborundum
razorbows.com
razorbows.com
Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
I haven't really made the foray into timber shafts as I am time poor. I was just pondering.
It would be fantastic if we had something local that would be good even if it was just to use as footings.
It would be fantastic if we had something local that would be good even if it was just to use as footings.
Bowhunting (Hunting for Bows)
Known Carrier of "Fox Bow Fever"
Known Carrier of "Fox Bow Fever"
Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
are you looking for wooden shafts- think i could set you up
Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
Morning.
It is dependent on what you want to achieve with the footings. I seek mass and strength. I have succesfully used Jarrah, Spotted Gum, numerous other eucalypts. They all work.clinglish wrote:I haven't really made the foray into timber shafts as I am time poor. I was just pondering.
It would be fantastic if we had something local that would be good even if it was just to use as footings.
Grahame.
Shoot a Selfbow, embrace Wood Arrows, discover Vintage, be a Trendsetter.
"Unfortunately, the equating of simplicity with truth doesn't often work in real life. It doesn't often work in science, either." Dr Len Fisher.
Shoot a Selfbow, embrace Wood Arrows, discover Vintage, be a Trendsetter.
"Unfortunately, the equating of simplicity with truth doesn't often work in real life. It doesn't often work in science, either." Dr Len Fisher.
Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
Milkwood for arrows ? ? ?
Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
Although there is several varieties listed on the net they are discussed more in a botanical nature i.e. medicinal properties rather than timber properties; [Alstonia actinophylla] [ Sideroxylon inerme]
The following variety [if it is the one you are referring to] may be suitable.
Milkwood : [Wrightia saligna]
http://www.ttit.id.au/treepages/Milkwood.htm
Daryl.
The following variety [if it is the one you are referring to] may be suitable.
Milkwood : [Wrightia saligna]
http://www.ttit.id.au/treepages/Milkwood.htm
Daryl.
"And you must not stick for a groat or twelvepence more than another man would give, if it be a good bow.
For a good bow twice paid for, is better than an ill bow once broken. [Ascham]
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” [Einstein]
I am old enough to make my own decisions....Just not young enough to remember what I decided!....
For a good bow twice paid for, is better than an ill bow once broken. [Ascham]
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” [Einstein]
I am old enough to make my own decisions....Just not young enough to remember what I decided!....
Re: Aussie Arrow Timbers
Greybeard thankyou for the information
Cheers grizz
Cheers grizz