Wood or Fibreglass?

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nephilim

Settler
Jul 24, 2014
871
0
Bedfordshire
Which is better for arrow construction? I am looking at getting some but would like to know the general consensus on what is better for target practice and firing into carcasses (hanging dead deer/pigs etc)
 
Better in which sense?

If at all possible, I suggest getting aluminium. Much more durable and easy to clean.

Wooden arrows shot into carcasses get bloodstained and manky. Wood is also prone to damage compared to other materials (but it is much easier to work with).

I have limited experience of fibreglass, only used very cheap shafts.
 
The only time I would ever consider f/glass arrow shafts would be for bow fishing, which is illegal in the UK, AFAIK. Only wood (properly spined) or carbon fibre if you are thinking of using any kind of broadhead....
 
Do you want to always buy things by working long hours or do you want to put lots of extra work into making them?

Its a fundamental life question, but your arrow choice will answer it.
 
Same thing and good for you my man. Some of the most satisfying arrows I shoot are one's I have taken from the woods as shoots and worked them into flyers by hand.
 
The only time I would ever consider f/glass arrow shafts would be for bow fishing, which is illegal in the UK, AFAIK. Only wood (properly spined) or carbon fibre if you are thinking of using any kind of broadhead....

I don't know; these work pretty well on aluminum arrows:





 
The only time I would ever consider f/glass arrow shafts would be for bow fishing, which is illegal in the UK, AFAIK. Only wood (properly spined) or carbon fibre if you are thinking of using any kind of broadhead....
Sea and estuary bowfishing is legal with limitations as to salmon and sea trout and in bass nurseries.
 
I have had both in the past. Wooden arrows were more forgiving and flexed if I, cough cough, missed. The ali arrows bent and needed straightening. My mate is very good and competition shoots in field target competition's. He normally shoots with an American flat bow, and uses wooden arrows that he makes himself.
 
I make my own, 12 shafts, 12 points 12 nocks 36 4"feather will cost about £30. A taper tool and fletching jig another £23 but once you have them and use them once you are saving loads of money, that is if you want good arrows, a set of 12 will cost over £60 to be made.

I taught my self how to make arrows by watching a few youtube videos, it is really quite simple and rewarding.

cheapest and most reliable place I have found for my bits is Merlin Archery
 
Oh, ok, i presumed it would be covered by the same UK regs as other bowhunting....

With 10 years in the NFAS, I always make my own arrows. As one of the originators of the Primitive equipment class, I only ever use wood or bamboo for shafts, and i will try to make a bow out of new woods - keeping my eyes open for a nice whitebeam or rowan stave...
 
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