I'm looking to give some of the compressd cedar shafts a try. I've found two(Cedarsmith and Valley Traditional)that sell them and and would like input on what everyone thinks about them. I shoot modern and primitive and might try them with both types of bows. Any other venders out there that you know of that carry such a material?
I have used them and I like them. Hap
I've used Cedarsmith compressed shafts for more than 20 years. They're good shafts. He runs a 23/64 shaft through a die to compress it to 11/32, or 11/32 to 5/16. That process compresses and burnishes the outside of the shaft, but the internal fibers aren't compressed very much if at all. The burnishing makes the shafts less permeable to stains. Going with this type of shaft has enabled me to get the heavier spine and physical weight of the 23/64 shaft in an 11/32 diameter.
These shafts of course are not like Sweetland compressed shafts, which are no longer made. Sweetland compressed cedar planks under heat and then doweled the shafts from the square stock cut from the compressed planks. This process compressed the cedar throughout and enabled him to get even heavier spined and weight shafts, stronger too.
Thanks fellas for the response. I think I may check 'em out. I'm having very good luck using Fiebings leather dye to stain my arrows and primitive bows I build. It dries super fast and I use spar varnish over it with no problems.
I've been using compressed shafts for a few years now and have to say they can be a bit pricey compared to regular shafts. The difference is the weight...yes but, they last a lot longer than regular shafts. I had bought mine from Flamin Harry but his supply dried up. Let me know where you end up getting them and how they worked out for you. Thanks!
Valley traditional is handling the Cedarsmith shafts, very good product and Dick is great to work with.
hey guys, check out Alaska Frontier Archery,they use the same process as bill sweetland used to....looks like a pretty good product.