Questions on tradtiional archery

[critch]

#3202

I’ve always hunted with stickbows of one form or another but I never got really deep into some areas of traditional archery. I was trying to find some answers on the internet but I must have not looked in the right place, asked the right question, or maybe I just didn’t understand what I was reading.

What is the point of a footed shaft on an arrow? What is the advantage of tapering arrow shafts over not tapering them?

Thank you.

[Arne Moe]

#17566

A footed arrow does a couple things for you. First, it strengthens the point end of the shaft. With wood shafts, when the arrow hits, the resultant forces will focus themselves right where the point joins with the shaft. The most common place for wood arrows to break is right behind the point.

A footing is another way to add weight forward and increase strength behind the point. Again, wood shafts are not very user friendly to really high point weights ( high FOC configuration) so a footing helps here too.

Tapering a shaft also contributes to weight forward, although not to the degree of a hardwood footing. Many also believe that tapering aids with bow clearance. I personally don’t see much benefit to tapering but that’s just me.

Either or both methods are pretty nice, increase the appeal of the arrow but are work intensive if doing it yourself or add a fair dollar amount if purchased. Totally up to you.

Arne

[critch]

#17581

Thank you. Come payday I’m ordering two books on traditional archery that get into bow-making and arrow-making. I was reading about the Otzi, the Iceman and apparently he had arrows that were footed…very interesting what our ancestors knew and when.

[Vintage Archer]

#17960

Moebow wrote: A footed arrow does a couple things for you. First, it strengthens the point end of the shaft. With wood shafts, when the arrow hits, the resultant forces will focus themselves right where the point joins with the shaft. The most common place for wood arrows to break is right behind the point.

A footing is another way to add weight forward and increase strength behind the point. Again, wood shafts are not very user friendly to really high point weights ( high FOC configuration) so a footing helps here too.

Tapering a shaft also contributes to weight forward, although not to the degree of a hardwood footing. Many also believe that tapering aids with bow clearance. I personally don’t see much benefit to tapering but that’s just me.

Either or both methods are pretty nice, increase the appeal of the arrow but are work intensive if doing it yourself or add a fair dollar amount if purchased. Totally up to you.

Arne

Arne covered the reason for tapered and footed arrows very well. Some think that tapered arrows create less drag during penetration which might be another advantage.

[Charles Ek]

#18642

Hmm, if there were just some book available that discussed topics like these. Sort of a handbook for traditional bowhunters.

Hey Webmom, do you know of such a book and where we might find it? 😉

(Pages 116-18 and 121-22: The Traditional Bowhunter’s Handbook By T. J. Conrads

I’m told our Webmom knows the author pretty well. She might be able to get an autograph for you.)

[Robin Conrads]

#18769

eidsvolling wrote: Hmm, if there were just some book available that discussed topics like these. Sort of a handbook for traditional bowhunters.

Hey Webmom, do you know of such a book and where we might find it? 😉

(Pages 116-18 and 121-22: The Traditional Bowhunter’s Handbook By T. J. Conrads

I’m told our Webmom knows the author pretty well. She might be able to get an autograph for you.)

I do know that guy… The handbook explains a lot about shooting traditional bows and arrows–including building arrows–but nothing for building bows.

Also, a big thanks to all the experienced members on this forum who generously share their knowledge. That can’t be bought in one book!

[Ralph]

#20281

The four volumes of “The Bowyers Bible” have many hours of good reading and full of traditional archery information. Bow building and all.

[critch]

#20382

eidsvolling wrote: Hmm, if there were just some book available that discussed topics like these. Sort of a handbook for traditional bowhunters.

Hey Webmom, do you know of such a book and where we might find it? 😉

(Pages 116-18 and 121-22: The Traditional Bowhunter’s Handbook By T. J. Conrads

I’m told our Webmom knows the author pretty well. She might be able to get an autograph for you.)

That’s the one on my list…:-):)

[Stumpkiller]

#22480

Another reason for tapering the last 12″ or so is that it suffers less paradox and recovers from release errors faster.

Can’t prove it, but I taper all mine – even my stump and bunny arrows. I did six dozen this past winter. Something to do cold nights.

[Forresterwoods]

#34979

I make arrow shafts from hardwoods and so added footing for strength is not needed. I was not sold on the concept of tapered shafts until after experimenting with Manchurian type arrow design. These have a taper in the rear third of the shaft then flares out again the last 3″. Historical documents dating back to the 15th century say this taper was important for redirecting vibrations into the larger than normal feathers. I was very surprised how well they fly!

[Author]

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