Anyone here tried them? If you have, what are your thoughts?
I like wood arrows myself--not for nostalgia, not because I think it makes me "more traditional", I just like them. I like the feel, the sound, the forgiveness, the way they look, and when I have time I like to make them. As long as I do my part and hit the target, durability isn't a problem.
I've shot carbon in the past, and may shoot them again one of these days, but probably not as long as I can get quality wood shafts at a reasonable price.
Rogue River was my choice when Paula and Cecil had it, and I've gotten good POC from Raven, but want to try Spruce again.
Chad
Chad,
I have purchased Sitka Spruce from Hildebrand several times. Their premium Sitka shafts are good quality. I've been pleased with all I've bought from them so far. Really good Sitka spruce is hard to come by and they only make their shafts from old groth trees. Give em a try.
JOHN
Try Paul Jalon at EliteArrows.com he now carries Sitka Spruce for his arrows. And he is a top notch craftsman / arrowmaker. You can't go wrong.
Chad,
Another one of our Sponsors, Foxfire Traditional Archery, who bought out Arrows by Kelly, carries both Sitka Spruce and Douglas Fir. They are matched close in spine and grain weight and reasonably priced. I'm making up a dozen of each right now to compare. I have always liked Sitka which seem to be a bit stronger than POC but want to see how the extra grain weight of the fir compares.
Bob
Chad, I like them. Hildebrand Sitka Spruce is all I've been using for about three years now.
You'll find them good folks to work with, too.
There aren't that many shaft manufacturers. There is a fair chance that the vendors mentioned are using Hildebrand shafts.
Guy
I just received an order of 75-79# spruce shafts (400-410gr) from Neil and Roxane. Good people. They required very little straightening. I have been buying all my shafts from them and have always been satisfied with them and their customer service. I haven't tried their Doug Fir yet just because I have liked the spruce so well.
Superb quality!
Another vote for Paul Jalon at Elite arrows. He is the best arrowmaker that I have found. I shoot his tapered cedars, and they are awesome. I noticed he is now making Sitka Spruce as well.
Bill
It's all I shoot because I like the consistency of their quality.
i think hildebrand supplies raptor archery , foxfire.. and a bunch more.. look on hildebrands website and it will show who they distribute too.. i think that neil and roxanne are top notch!
Yep, Neil supplies all of the places above and more with Sitka shafting. Great stuff. dino.
I got some SS and DF from H-brande's and am liking the DF even better.
I purchased some DF from Hildebrand and their service was excellent! I got my shafts within 3 days of the internet purchase. Pretty good from WA to PA in 3!
Ive asked neil about the douglas fir and sitka spruce comparisons.. he told me some guys like the douglas fir because they are a bit heavier and maybe more durable... but did say he thought that sitka spruce made a better arrow.. I've shot both and like both... I think they are both as good as cedar..in my opinion.
Yep good stuff. I've bought doug fir and sitka spruce from them, they both make good arrows. Careful though, Neil likes to chat, LOL. He might keep ya on the phone a while. They're good people.
All but the red ones are spruce.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/OzarkRamblr/Archery/IMG_0879.jpg)
These are some doug fir I made for my wife.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/OzarkRamblr/Archery/IMG_0755.jpg)
Thanks for the feedback! I forgot they offered DF also.....dang, more decisions. I've shot both in the past, and realy don't remember which I liked better.
Chad