Hemlock for arrows?

[Sparrow]

We have a lot of hemlock up here in southeast alaska,not the best firewood,gets real hard when it cures,makes a good arrow shaft,but I have been favoring the Sitka spruce,seems to just make a nicer arrow,very straight grained,flexible and strong(Sitka spruce).Hemlock Makes a pretty good trim wood because it is so straight grained.(That's what the mill up here does with it)   '  Frank

[Diligence]

Thought an update on the whole "hemlock for arrows" idea was warranted.

I've made half a dozen of them, fletched with goose feathers, or goose feathers and a turkey cock feather.  Shot them a bunch, and all of them are holding up really well, no breakages so far.  Sinew wrapped nocks and fletching with field points.

I can't tell you the spine, but I reduced the diameter from 3/8" down to 11/32" and they fly much better.  Kept playing with one arrow until I liked it, then are making the rest to match.

I think I'll make a bunch more this winter as the grain is so straight and it was dirt cheap from Home Depot.  Might be worth considering if you are on a tight budget and don't want/can't find wild shoots for arrows.

Cheers,
D

[Ohio John]

wow after everybody trashed my hemlock arrows idea here we are with a success story..... Im gonna go ahead and make mine now.