Nature's carbon arrows

[Shovelbuck]

I like to think of bamboo as natures carbon

I've been playing with the idea of building some primitive arrows for next deer season and this is the first one I've completed. Talk about labor intensive!
The shaft started out as a green bamboo tomato stake. After much sanding, scraping and straightening it was ready for plugging the ends with hardwood. With that done I fashioned the self nock, then built the trade point from a piece of antique barrel hoop.
Then slotted the business end of the shaft to accept the head.
Some sinew, colored thread and turkey feathers and I'm ready to start another.

No way am I going to build a dozen of these!

 

[crash]

Re: One nature carbon arrow

look`s good! look`s like fun. how`s the bamboo hold up on impact ? just wondering. you can make some neat stuff out of bamboo.

 

[Bukslayr]

Re: One nature carbon arrow

Hey Shovelbuck,

Can you make those in a 340?

 

[Kansasdeerslayer]

Re: One nature carbon arrow

Awesome looking arrow, Shovel. How did she fly?

 

[Shovelbuck]

Re: One nature carbon arrow

Haven't shot it yet to see how well it flys. Everything I've read about them indicates they are very durable.

 

[Shovelbuck]

Re: One nature carbon arrow

Ended up removing the colored thread cresting from it. Just wasn't happy with how it looked. Finished up three more and shot them this morning.
Three shot great with one shooting bad. It had a nock that was way too tight. I sanded it when I got home, so it should be good also.

 

[matchedset]

Re: One nature carbon arrow

Nice job Jay. awsome pics. nice looking bow you got there!

 

[blake]

Re: One nature carbon arrow

How did I miss this thread????????????????

Nice craftsmanship Jay.

 

[Shovelbuck]

Re: One nature carbon arrow

[ QUOTE ]
No way am I going to build a dozen of these!

[/ QUOTE ]

These things are addictive.

After saying I'd never build a dozen, I've been working on a dozen and a half.

I have been keeping track of the hours involved and it's horrifying. I've got about thirty hours in them and they aren't fletched yet. A dozen are ready to fletch and I finished up two last night that have knapped heads. I'll keep the last four shafts for back ups.
I'm headed out soon to shoot the knapped heads. I'll post a pic of them when I return.

 

[jkratz5]

Re: One nature carbon arrow

Pretty cool stuff there Shovel. One of the local guys here makes his own bows, arrows, and arrowheads and after talking with him for a few hours about the time and effort into the equipment and the hunt my hat goes off to you guys!!! Keep us posted on your adventures

Kratz

 

[Shovelbuck]

Re: One nature carbon arrow

I went out to shoot the stone heads but didn't feel like risking breaking them stump shooting. All the bales I normally shoot into are gone. Will have new ones in a week or so.
I did shoot the steel heads some more and they all seem to shoot good.
Here's a couple pics of the stone points.