Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: jesswprater on January 28, 2015, 01:22:54 pm

Title: Will these make arrows?
Post by: jesswprater on January 28, 2015, 01:22:54 pm

I was wondering if you guys think these sticks would make arrows? The bottom 6 are some kind of locust, black or sweet I couldn't tell you. I have heard that black locust makes good arrows. The top 2 are some kind of sapling tree. If you think they can be straightened I think I need to; glue the ends, wrap in a straight bundle and hang with wind and without Sun? Here is a photo of them with and without the thorns.

Jess

Title: Re: Will these make arrows?
Post by: Auggie on January 28, 2015, 01:57:01 pm

I say the thorny ones are honey locust,and they should make decent arrows

Title: Re: Will these make arrows?
Post by: Pat B on January 28, 2015, 05:24:39 pm

Are these from a tree or a shrub?

Title: Re: Will these make arrows?
Post by: DC on January 28, 2015, 06:38:43 pm

I think I would look for better stuff. You can make arrows out of it but it would be more productive to start with better sticks. And if that's a yardstick I think they're a little thick.

Title: Re: Will these make arrows?
Post by: jesswprater on January 28, 2015, 07:05:00 pm

Pat B they are volunteer saplings trying to take over our pasture, but are not connected to any cut stump. It is just how these damn things start. I usually brush hog them, but then you may have to repair a flat on a tire with antifreeze in them. That is a terrible job.
Auggie, you are probably right. I don't know how to tell the difference though.
DC, that was the question I didn't ask. I have never straightened them before and didn't know how much work I was getting in to. That is a yardstick. They are a bit thick. I will look for straighter thinner saplings.

Title: Re: Will these make arrows?
Post by: Pat B on January 28, 2015, 10:47:32 pm

Do you have Bradford pears around there? The ones on the bottom look like the nasty thorned seedling offspring from what was supposed to be a sterile tree.

Title: Re: Will these make arrows?
Post by: Puckaway on January 28, 2015, 11:12:25 pm

I'd look on..

Title: Re: Will these make arrows?
Post by: Springbuck on January 30, 2015, 03:29:45 pm

  Yeah, they look a little kinky to me at the thorns.  To my eye they look for all the world like thorn apple opr hawthorn instead of locust, tho bradford pear is a good thought.

Title: Re: Will these make arrows?
Post by: jesswprater on January 30, 2015, 08:28:26 pm

Thanks, Springbuck! I've never done this before so, it's hard to get a feel for what I can use for arrows. I'm pretty sure it is some type of locust. I see the trees from them when they get big and really hairy.

Title: Re: Will these make arrows?
Post by: DC on January 30, 2015, 09:49:24 pm

Go to Youtube and search for Allergic Hobbit. In amongst all the knapping videos there are a couple or three arrow making vids. Good stuff. He posts on here as Jackcrafty