Wood Arrows for a 100-110# Warbow....

[Terry Green]

Lets chat.....not afraid of using heavier arrow heads than I normally do in this circumstance....usually use 175 to 225 grains....

The bow has NO shelf....shoots off the hand.

Any Sponsors up for the challenge?

Looking for a half dozen to start with.

[M60gunner]

Try and find some old Ramin shafts/dowels. The ones I had spined out around 100#. They were 3/8".

[Pat B]

Terry, I think war bows typically shot 1/2" diameter shafts but probably any good shafting of 3/8" or so should work.

[Elk whisperer]

got some barrel taper ramin that go 90

[Pat B]

I actually have some barrel tapered spruce or fir in a heavy spine weight that I'll never use if you are interested...not to take anything away from Elk Whisperer.

[ChuckC]

terry, I have a whole bunch of older ramin 3/8" ( 36") dowels.  I bought them a while back to make skwerl arrows. They spine very heavy.  You are welcome to a handful if you want to try some.  PM if interested.
ChuckC

[Grey Taylor]

1/2" poplar dowels from Lowe's, sort for straight grain.
Taper the nock end for 18" to 3/8".
Self nock with about a 2" long horn sliver for reinforcement.
Arrow about 32-34" BOP.
Fletch with about 6-7" feathers, point as usual. Do use medieval-style heads, regular trad points are too light.

Guy

[Terry Green]

Thanks guys....with my schedule....I'll never have time to make them...I'll need them finished...any idea on what spit to start with at 29"s BOP....I can add head weight all day long these days.

Thanks,!!!!!

[Sam McMichael]

I have read numerous times that 1/2" poplar shafts were often used. The big question is where you will find the requisite bodkin points for arrows such as this. Looking forward to seeing pictures of this set up. Have you been fitted for your green tights yet?

[Terry Green]

Bodkins....we don't need no stinkin bodkins!!!!

I have Battle Axes!!!


I don't wear tights...and I doubt the warbow shooters did....warbow shooters were dressed for battle.....tights???...that's Robinhood    :D

[PEARL DRUMS]

I hang around a group of Canadian war bow enthusiasts every spring in Marshall, MI. A bow that heavy drawn to 28" plus requires a 1/2" hardwood shaft with very straight grain. Most I see are oak, ash and hickory with bodkins upfront. A good war arrow will cost 10-15 bucks a piece.

[Sam McMichael]

I'm disappointed to hear that, Terry. I was really looking forward to a picture of you with green tights and a salad hat. Please post pictures of the bow with the arrows when the ensemble comes together. Are you going to hunt this rig or just shoot targets?

I think some may be over estimating the spine requirements if that is an English bred war bow.   I shot 80 pound shafts out of 96 pound longbow pulling a 27" bop 160 grain broad head to my finger.

[frank bullitt]

I agree with pavan!
I would look for raminshafts, their out there.
I have some 11/32" from acme in spines up to 90.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Good luck Terry in your quest to find someone to build you a half a dozen arrows.  I'm thinking the right sponsor hasn't seen this yet so I am bumping it up.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Originally posted by pavan:
I think some may be over estimating the spine requirements if that is an English bred war bow.   I shot 80 pound shafts out of 96 pound longbow pulling a 27" bop 160 grain broad head to my finger.

Terry has a 110# bow wanting 29" arrows. That tells me he needs at least #100-110 spine to get close. I don't think that's over estimating at all. And I wouldn't shoot a ramin shaft out of a #110 bow if my life depended on it. These guys shoot 1/2" hardwood for many good reasons. One,a healthy bow arm with no shaft shards in it.

[SELFBOW19953]

Terry,

Get up with Kevin Forrester, he's got hardwood shafts spined to 150 listed for sale-he should be able to put in the ballpark for the right spine. I don't know if he sells finished arrows.

[frank bullitt]

Pearls Chris, you obviously have never shot quality acme shafts made by Acme?

These shafts were produced back in the early 90s. My friend was selling them thu Tru-flite of Monticello Indiana. He sold many at the first Primitive shoots in Marshall, too!

I don't have the talent you have at building selfbows, but the knowledge and experience with many natural bows and animals taken, since 1990.

There is also this Forrester hardwood shafts, possibly in the high spine.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Obviously.

A war bow is a self/lam bow most of time and perhaps an inch across at the shelf.  If one is not playing that historic game of battle rounds with them, armor busting may not be a priority.  While I am sure they may be a viable and fun longbow to shoot, like other self longbows, the spine requirements because of efficiencies and left of center dynamics, the spine requirement will be less than say a 110 pound bow of a more modern design.  A good way to find the spine and if 29" bop is standard, would be is to find which aluminum arrow with standard fletch and a moderate point the bow likes.  I would bet that anything from a 2020 to a 2317 would work, depending on point weight, but I would not be surprised if the 2020 was it.