Woodies - douglas fir vs. sitka spruce

Rando · October 16, 2017, 03:27:00 PM

Hey all - I've done the Port Oxford Cedar thing and most recently (some years ago) the Sitka Spruce thing. Really came to appreciate the Sitka Spruce arrows I built, but it appears that Hildebrand's is no longer in business...?
Anyway, looking to build up a new supply of woodies and looking for thoughts on douglas fir vs. Sitka spruce AND recommended suppliers of either or both.
Also considering tapered which I've not done before - open to opinions on that as well. My goal is to end up somewhere around 10 - 11 grains per inch.
thanks,
Randy

the rifleman · October 16, 2017, 03:55:00 PM

All i can tell you is that douglass fir are very tough arrows and much heavier than spruce. Surewood shafts is a great source for them.

MnFn · October 16, 2017, 04:16:00 PM

I like them both, a lot.
I had Paul Jalon make a set of 60/65 S.S. and Snag made a few sets of Surewoods (Douglass Fir).
Both were tapered. The DF seems to be heavier, and maybe a little more durable.

They both flew beautifully, and I have had no trouble with them staying straight.

If I wanted a lighter arrow I would go with Sitka Spruce. Otherwise I would stay with Surewoods.

slowbowjoe · October 16, 2017, 04:36:00 PM

I've shot both for years. Mostly Doug Fir, by choice. I find fir holds up better stumping. To my eye, they fly slightly different; fir seems to recover faster, and spruce fly a little flatter.
I'm pulling around 43lbs, and I always ask around for the lightest weight set of shafts in order to keep my gpp at 10-10.5; with spruce it's easier (maybe not now with Hildebrand not taking orders).

Only tried one set of tail tapered shafts, and I couldn't notice a flight or performance difference, though I know some folks do.

Can't go wrong wih surewoods, or Wapiti, for fir.

Ari_Bonn · October 16, 2017, 05:16:00 PM

Hildbrand went through some issues but I hear they are up and running.

I used to import up from Surewood and Hildebrand ended up favoring the Fir.

Since I started getting sitka spruce from a local guy here in BC I haven't looked back its tougher, closer grained and perfectly round as he uses the older style machine that does 1 at a time instead of 6 doesn't oval the shaft when the blades start getting dull.
Fired them into FRP boards multiple times without a point, tip curls over but shaft doesn't break.

3Rivers is importing them into the states labeled "Premium Sitka Spruce Wood Shafts"
though they are selling them with a 20 grain spread when they come in a 10 grain spread from him...odd but still the ebst shafts ive ever had.

October 16, 2017, 05:16:00 PM

Cedar seems to have a slightly faster recovery rate at the same spine out of some of my longbows than tapered Surewoods, as a result I go for a slightly stiffer spine with them. As an example, 53 or 54 Wapiti cedars have about the same reaction as 57 or 58 Surewwods. Of course, sometimes a cedar arrow may act too stiff and a same spine Surewwod shoots perfect. For me, cedars with 145 heads come in at 9 grains per pound that fly the best, while the Surewoods come in closer to 10 grains per pound.

goingoldskool · October 16, 2017, 08:21:00 PM

Another vote for surewoods

luvnlongbow · October 17, 2017, 11:55:00 AM

For myself I prefer Spruce. It just seems to work better for me.

last arrow · October 19, 2017, 09:29:00 AM

I like spruce, though the last I bought were from Kelly a few years ago. Surewoods are nice, but I fount spruce to be easier to work with and seamed to tune easier.

last arrow · October 19, 2017, 09:30:00 AM

stonewall · October 20, 2017, 12:08:00 PM

I've been shooting the same dozen surewood firs since may of last year.

Terry Lightle · October 20, 2017, 02:22:00 PM

Surewoods for me,all I shoot!
Terry

flyguysc · October 20, 2017, 03:29:00 PM

Love those Surewood tapered shafts

WVFarrier · October 21, 2017, 07:56:00 AM

ive used a lot of different shafts over the years and finally settled on hard maple. amazing stuff

monterey · October 21, 2017, 11:18:00 AM

Just a note on tapering, even if there are no improvements perceived in Arrow flight, two possible benefits could be realized; reduced overall arrow weight and a bit of increase in FOC.

flyguysc · October 21, 2017, 12:56:00 PM

I have recently bought two doz. tapered shafts from Surewood and notice no difference in arrow flight,just a small amount of over all weight. I do like the 5/16 nocks and the grain patterns of the Douglas fur show up nice when stained.I have purchased five dozen premiums shafts from them and have yet had to straighten any. These folks sell quality wood for sure.