Just completed some sitka spruce shafts I received from Hildebrand Co. into finished arrows.
They are tappered shafts that spined 50 - 53# on my home made tester and weighed out within 7 grains. Quality shafts needing minimal straightening and very good grain patterns. These arrows finished out at an average of 485 grains with a 125 gr. tip. They shoot excellent out of my 51# longbow.

This was my first experience with sitka spruce. So far so good. I do, however, miss that intoxicating aroma of cedar when cutting and tapering the ends. Smelling a fresh cut cedar shaft is like the scent of autumn for me. It brings on the hunting fever.

Nice work bud!  

Great looking arrows Dave

 If ya need someone to try them out just let me know    

Going to try some sika spruce out my self...

Thanks, Charlie. I appreciate the compliment.

Hey Gary, how ya doing bud? I sure hope you're enjoying that Mikuta. These Hildebrand sitka spruce shafts were very good quality and I would recommend them. I have made cedar arrows for a number of years but they're getting a little harder to come by so I thought I would try these. I haven't shot them a lot just yet but my first imperssion is a good one... Dave

Dave
    Those arrows do look great!! If they shoot as good as they look something is in trouble !!!

 I love the Mikuta were going to have a very long lasting friendship    

Good luck

Mighty fine lookin arrows Dave    

Nice, if ya decide ya don't like'em, I have a bow they would fly nice out of!!    Shawn

Dang...I just finished some Stika too, but after seeing yours mine look like I used crayons!

Great job.  What type of cresting paint do you use?

Oh, I've been very pleased with the quality of the spruce versus some of the POC I was messing with.

Here's my Sitkas I used for my turkey hunt.

 

Ron, those are some gorgeous looking arrows. You're giving me some ideas for my next set. I'm not up to par with your's but I keep working at it. I find crafting arrows to be a great stress reliever. I thoroughly enjoy the process.

Cutty47, I use acrylic craft paint from Wally World. I straighten the shaft, apply 2 coats of gasket lacquer (I like the quick dry time), steel wool the shaft and start cresting on my home made crester. The trick is always a good straight shaft that spins true in your crester. After the cresting dries it gets 3 more coats of the gasket lacquer to finish it off. I've also been using the Saunders NPV fletching cement lately for the feathers and nocks with very good results.

"mine look like I used crayons" - now that had me laughing    Come on Cutty, they couldn't be that bad!!!!

Great looking arrows guys! I have been making my own wood arrows for about 6 months. I have a long way to go to match these. But I have fun doing it. It's very gratifying when they turn out ok. I have been using Hildebrands exclusively because of the great quality and performance. Here are some I did recently.

I forgot to say that I love the durability and great finish the Helms Spar Urethane puts on a shaft. I crown with diluted Rustoleum and crest with Krylon water-based paint. I can get all of these at the local hardware store! Just another reason to go there!

all very purty !!!!

I have been using Hildebrand tapered and barreled sitka spruce for the past year, and I really like them.  Very consistant. I dip full length first with thinned Bohning super coat lacquer, 3-4 coats, or 2 coats with color over top, then another clear.
For 3-D shooting, just 4 coats of clear, 3"- 90* shield 4 fletch, maybe cresting, or not.:-) Bill G.

So, which do you like better Hawksnest, the barrel or the tapered? I haven't tried shooting either one. Would appreciate your experience with them.

QuoteOriginally posted by Snag1:
So, which do you like better Hawksnest, the barrel or the tapered? I haven't tried shooting either one. Would appreciate your experience with them.

I kinda favor the barreled shafts. 11/32" tapered to 5/16 point end, and tapered to 9/32" on the nock end. They shoot great.  Bill G.

I'll have to give them a try. Do you know if Hildebrand makes these?

Yes Snag, that's where I get them. Good people to deal with.  Bill

I make mine with poplar, clear laquer, cresting dip and 5.5" fletchings

Snag, for making arrows for only 6 months it sure looks like you're gettin the hang of it. I really like those orange barred feathers. Nice job.