Ultimate wood arrows

[T Downing]

#6532

Well the opening weekend of Colorado elk/mule deer has come and gone. Fun weekend, my oldest son and my father enjoyed a quiet, uneventful weekend with plenty of elk spotted. Bulls haven’t started bugling yet, but soon the mountains will be filled with their singing…

I wanted to express my profound gratitude to one of ours here at Tradbow, Rick at the Feathered Shaft. I received 6 complimentary Douglas Fir elk arrows in advance of a dozen I had ordered from him over a month ago. He overnighted the heavy arrows and I couldn’t be more pleased. They are wonderful to look at (sorry no pics, I haven’t figured out how to post them) and more importantly they shoot where I am looking. Rick’s arrows are way ahead of the game, in my opinion. All 6 arrows were within grains of each other and the precision work is as fine as I have ever seen. Now I just have to kill something with them to seal the deal. I encourage everyone who is considering wood arrows to take a look at Rick’s work, I promise you will not be disappointed. Good hunting and God Bless, T

Here is Rick’s website: http://www.TheFeatheredShaft.com

[David Petersen]

#53290

T — I have met Rick and seen his work and can’t agree more with you: he’s a fine man, one of us, and a top-end arrowsmith artist. A career as an aeronautical engineer no doubt adds some insight to his designs. You have my thanks too, Fletcher. dave

[LimbLover]

#53322

Rick is definitely the man!

I never would have considered woods without him, now I don’t want to shoot anything but.

[Patrick]

#53376

David Petersen wrote: A career as an aeronautical engineer no doubt adds some insight to his designs.

That explains alot. I thought it was pretty ingenious that he puts the feathers at the back end and the broadheads at the front of his arrows. 😆

In all seriousness, I’m in the same boat as LL. If not for Rick, I probably wouldn’t have made the leap. Glad I did and I’m not going back either. I’m looking forward to purchasing some of his arrows. It’ll give me something to strive for when making my own…and I have a LONG way to strive!!!! :oops::wink:

[David Petersen]

#53849

Mr. P — “making” arrows is cake. Start with good shafts. Buy a $50 fletcher (mine didn’t cost that much). Glue feathers and nock on the back, a point on the front … you got it! 😀
I love it. Of course you can do the same with carbons, but hey … 8)

[Fletcher]

#53877

Many thanks for the kind words. My Grandfather had a sign in his shop that read “If it is worth doing, it is worth doing well.” That little sign has guided my work all of my life. I can’t really claim to be an aeronautical engineer, but am an aircraft mechanic by trade, which probably has something to do with my love and understanding of flying things, along with the attention to detail.

I’m happy to help folks with making their own arrows. It is where I started and only adds to the satisfaction of archery and bowhunting.

On a fun note, one of my arrows has already played its part in the taking of a nice 5×5 Colorado bull this season.:D Rick

[Patrick]

#53880

Making them was never my concern. It was whether I could shoot them with confidence knowing I can rely on them. Coming from the compound bow, carbon/aluminum arrow world as I have, it was quite a mental hurdle.:oops:

As an aside, while tapering my cedar arrows, I can’t get myself to just throw away the cedar shavings because of their aroma. So I put the all in a plastic baggy, cut little slits in the baggy and put it in my archery tackle box. 😆

[Fletcher]

#54994

Patrick, when you start having doubts, just remind yourself that wood arrows have served us for many thousands of years and we as a species are where we are partly because of them. Good wood arrows can absolutely be counted on.

Rick

[LimbLover]

#61152

I’ve had quite a few people tell me that shooting/hunting with wood arrows wasn’t a good idea because they aren’t consistent or durable enough.

I shot a combination of wood arrows all weekend with little to no trouble at all, including stumping with two blunted Chundoo shafts. I was really hesitant about stumping with wood arrows and I’ve been babying all of mine because of it.

There is no need. I put those two stumping arrows through hell, including some direct shots into maples and they came out fine. I hardly had to straighten them afterwards.

I also made and shot a few hunting arrows into moss/dirt piles and probably shot 200 arrows on my neighbor’s 3D course. Aside from losing my fletching on a few shafts (didn’t use Duco, won’t make that mistake again) I came out with an entire quiver and shot better than I ever have.

I’m not worried anymore. If their straight and well made, there isn’t any reason to doubt wood arrows.

[Patrick]

#61237

LimbLover wrote: I’ve had quite a few people tell me that shooting/hunting with wood arrows wasn’t a good idea because they aren’t consistent or durable enough.

I read/heard that a ton too. Maybe I’m just not as good a shot as others, but even the arrows that were not “straight” shot well. I’m a definite convert! Plus, when I miss I have a built in excuse. “Oh, that arrow must be bent”. 😆

[Author]

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