How about multiflora rose?

[papoints]

Anybody use this stuff?  It's everywhere around here.  Do the scars from removing the thorns cause any kind of structural problems?

[Pat B]

Multiflora rose makes good arrows and there are no problems with the thorn scars. Pick second year growth(with small branches ) and don't remove the bark until they are dry.

[Jim Davis]

The thorns come off easily (when fresh cut, haven't tried when dry) if pushed sideways. They just pop off.

Jim Davis

[koan]

I aint used it myself but i remember some bein posted here a long time ago. I have a bunch growin here to but im not sure what diameter to use... Brian

[Pat B]

Brian, use the same diameter as any shoot shafts, 3/8" at the point end.
 Mickie Lotz(the Ferret) made and use rose arrows. Check out his build along. He may have info about building rose arrows there.

[lostarrow]

Just finished one with stone point, pitch glue and sinew wrapped, stripped turkey tied with sinew . They tend to come straighter than the dogwood or hazel around here. They are very strong when dried.  The thorns just leave slightly raised areas ( not even a bump really) . I think it's my new favourite . About 5/16" on the nock end and spines in at 55-60 lb. impressive.

[koan]

This is good info, thanks! Do ya leave them longer like cane?

[koan]

Self nocks??

[stickbender]

     What does multi flora look like?  I have some wild roses around my place in Montana, but it is a tangled mess, and not a straight limb in the all of the plants I have come across.


                                       Wayne

[Dan K]

They shrink a lot so cut them a bit big and keep the bark on them until dry.  The clean up REAL easy!  Easy to straighten and stay straight too.  Tough as nails.

[Pat B]

Wayne, that sounds like Multiflora rose.  Lots of nasty thorns.  It was planted by the Wildlife folks for food and cover.

[bowtarist]

I like um. They are tough, but light. Yes, self nock. They are no different than any other shoot shaft. If you can get to the middle of the tangled mess they usually grow straighter right out of the center. This stuff is invasive a heck so most folks don't mind if you cut it off the road side or field edges. dp

[lostarrow]

Easier to cut in the winter ,as there isn't any foliage to get tangled up .Still not easy , but better. Self nocks are fine. I also leave the bark on to dry. Wear leather gloves and pop the thorns off right away ,of course.

[bowtarist]

In reality, I'd say all arrow shaft shoots are better cut in the winter, but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way. IMO, dp

[lostarrow]

In reality, I'd say all arrow shaft shoots are better cut in the winter, but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way. IMO, dp

 Very true . I agree completely............................... but Dogwood doesn't have the teeth that roses do   In the winter you can see whether it is worth wading in to get a shoot, and you're wearing long pants and shirts , coats etc. anyway . (around here at least) . That's all the incentive I need to wait until the snow flies again

 On a side note , has anyone tried a bow out of it? I found a piece about 1-1/2"  or more  and have it drying in the shop. I'm going to see if I can get a little bow out of it. The wood actually looks like oak.