Hello all,
A few questions about Sweetland Forgewoods and spine "class" as it relates to the listed diameter.
I have seen the Hunter grade arrows with a diameter of 18 listed for a bow weight of 45-55 #s and draw length 29". Is this a classification based on the diameter and draw length? Will these shafts show approx. 50# on a spine tester or closer to 60#? Are there any particular details to using a spine tester for Forgewoods (besides grain orientation)?
Can anybody say what the ballpark spine rating would be for Hunter grade shafts with a diameter of 20 when making an arrow that is 28.5" BOP?
If I can get my hands on some I will put them on a Spine Master but the more info I have the less likely I will screw up a rare opportunity. Thanks for any info and experience you can share!
OK I'm not the expert; when I got home I spine tested 4 batches of FW'ds. The skinniest-under 5/16 were 45/50 and 55/60-these look the same and weigh the same, just different spine.
Some fatter ones.........under 11/32 and over 5/16 spined at 70-75. That leads me to believe the spine was not just controlled by diameter-there were spine differences within the size groups. BTW:
There is a heavy and a light end to FW's-the shafts were denser at the front. Always cut from the light end only. To determine which end is which measure the shaft and balance it.
I agree with Bjorn on all points. Looking for some forgewoods? There's some on the auction sight right now. A baker's dozen is currently at more than $200, with a few days left. Good luck.
Thanks for the responses guys. I appredciate your efforts Bjorn, glad I could give you an excuse to have fun measuring those arrows. I didn't think the spine was directly correlated to the diameter but don't know how they were sorted and sold.
I was able to measure a dozen raw shafts with a diameter of "20" - they measured 5/16 and were mostly between 45# and 50# spine. Weights were 395 +/- 10 grains.
I will measure spine on a batch of arrows that are listed as diameter "18" and measure 9/32 with a coat of laquer on them.
I would really like to get a dozen in the higher spine ranges 70/75# at a minimum, 80/85# would be best. $200 for a baker's dozen tells me I need to start savin' my pennies!
Not sure the 200 is cause of the arrows, or the quiver?
i have some .250 fw's that are 35# spine and some .280 that are over 70# spine. i think it depended on the batch of wood and how near the bark or core the shafts were cut from. there was still a lot of old growth po cedar when mine were made in the early fifties.
Oops. Missed the reference to the quiver. I'm sure that contributes to it. I've seen shafts go for more than $10 apiece in the past. At nearly $250 now. Guess I'll just have to keep soaking my standard cedars in Watco oil. Gives me a little extra weight, but not the strength or narrow diameter of the Sweetlands.
Forrester, I have two sets of tapered Sweetland forgewoods that are about 1/4 on the front, tapered to about 7/32 on the nock end. One set is spined about 51#-54# and weigh 390-410 grains. The other set is 55# plus and made into arrows are about 565 grains with a 110 grain point so I'd guess them at about 430 grains raw shafts.
If you can lay your hands on those shafts for a decent price, it might be a good idea. Even if the weight isn't right for you, might be able to trade them down the line. Good luck.