Arrow shafting? Orange Osage?

Birddogswosu · February 13, 2016, 06:40:00 PM

Hello,
I am new to arrow making and I am looking for good wood that is available to me in western Oklahoma. I have orange Osage, red oak, curly maple, and macadamia nut woods in my pile. I understand red oak is a good but heavy material. What are the qualities of they other woods that I have? I am most curious about using orange Osage because I have several pieces that would be good candidates, for arrows. Being straight grained and about the right length.

EwokArcher · February 13, 2016, 09:57:00 PM

Best arrows I have ever made were from home depot bamboo, they seem to last bettwr than my cheap carbon arrows. There is an awesome build along out there on the googlenet you can find pretty easy that has a step by step for the whole deal.

PEARL DRUMS · February 14, 2016, 08:22:00 AM

Osage wont work. Got any hickory or pecan down there? Maple? Poplar?

Birddogswosu · February 14, 2016, 08:38:00 AM

Pecan I have that growing. Does it make a good arrow?

PEARL DRUMS · February 14, 2016, 08:51:00 AM

Pecan is a hickory.

Pat B · February 14, 2016, 12:06:00 PM

I think osage would be too brittle to make good shafting. It is also very heavy. There are lots of other woods that would make good shafting.
Poplar is very strong and makes great arrows. Its only drawback, IMO, is it is a little light in physical weight.

rainman · February 20, 2016, 04:17:00 AM

This is a great video on making bamboo arrows even if it is not in English. https://www.youtube.com/Watch?v=vyejbipavWw. Handmade traditional Japanese arrows.

frank bullitt · February 20, 2016, 10:58:00 AM

I have river cane from Oklahoma, sent to me from a gentleman I made strings for back in '94.

Great arrow source! Wish they grew here!

Osage, great for bows and footing arrow shafts.
Cane would be a lot less work in my opinion.