Ok, so with all the cane arrow threads a couple weeks ago I decide to go cut some. Got me a pretty decent amount for starters. I had my handy dandy 3/8" open end wrench to check for proper size. Cut them long for trimming later. Bundled them up in a good straight line with alternating thick and thin ends. Put them in my attic to dry. ............. and THEN started thinking about them. (That's when the doubts started creeping in.)
     


I cut 3/8" cane at the thin end and thicker for the rest of the shaft. Is that just opposite of what I was supposed to do? And if so, how thin is allowable for the nock end?

Since 3/8 = 12/32 which is thicker than most 11/32 shafting I guess I need to go cut some more and be more selective?
   

Hmmmm.  Don't know.  Never cut any.  However, it might shrink a little as it dries.

They are going to be pretty big.  If long enough you could make some Atlatl Darts out of them

3/8 at the big end 36-40 inches long

QuoteOriginally posted by Ray Hammond:
3/8 at the big end 36-40 inches long

Thanks, Ray. What would you expect the nock diameter to be? IS there a minimum that I should watch out for and not go beyond?

Mine are close to 11/32 when cut to 3/8 at the big end

That sounds about right

I measure at the nock(thin end) make those just a hair under 5/16 and the point end will be right about 11/32.

although i should point out I use bamboo

Thanks guys. Looks like I need to get back in the cane. Will have to watch a bit closer for ol' Mr. No Shoulders what with the weather warming up.

I prefer to cut all of my river cane at ground level and bring the majority of the shaft of cane back with me. This is for several reasons.

1) I usually cut the cane in areas I will hunt later so I do not want 6-10" shafts sticking out of the ground to impale me should I trip. (Or others for that matter.

2) By cutting them much longer than needed it gives me the chance to cut the perfect arrow out of the longer shaft at a later time when I am in my workshop.

Last word of advice, when you cut your cane, bundle them as tightly together as you can ever 6-89 inches. This will keep them from being excessively crooked after they dry. This is more important if you are drying them more rapidly than normal. I use cheap Jute twine for this purpose and works well. You can also use cheap packing tape to do the same thing. Again it needs to be tight and they will shrink some during the dring process so depending on the size of your bundle you may want to re-tighten after a week or so drying. I bundle in counts of 24. Have fun!

Thanks, Steve. Yes, I like to cut off at the ground, too. Visions of one going through my foot give me the willies.

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