If you are curious or concerned about the safety and reliability of dowel arrows, I made a video discussing the subject here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/epeswc99k9yxg8Y.html

"There is no way to sand a cylindrical object without people making jokes. And I embrace that." This guy. I can't 😂 Thank you! I will be doing this!

I used to make arrow shafts from the stalks of yucca plants, with flint heads and leaves for the fletches. All free, because I lived in the country. Those were the days.

@TheElvenArcher

3 жыл бұрын

interesting, I hadn't heard of using yucca stalk. I know NWprimate experimented with leaf fletchings but I think he switched to grass 'skirts' for natural fletching. I'd be curious how your arrows performed.

@FlightSimHistorian

3 жыл бұрын

They performed very well, so long as the arrow wasn’t impacting hard oak trees. If I remember correctly, I was using freshly picked leaves for the fletches, as they had much better strength than dried or dead leaves.

@Verticom10

3 жыл бұрын

Want some pics, sounds pretty cool

@czar-das

Жыл бұрын

unga bunga

@DanBoyd1111

Жыл бұрын

No you didn't!!!

Excellent work, very informative and polished, dispite some microphone... disfunction 😏

This is the funniest archery video I have ever seen. You are very good at this.

You my friend earned yourself a sub within the first minute of this video. You're hilarious and informative so please keep up the good work!

⭐⭐⭐⭐ good job!! You have just inspired a 54 year old man to follow your channel 👍

This is a very well made video. I’m not 100% sure I want to make any arrows just yet. But if I do, this video is a great guide. Thank you.

This is by far one of the better arrow making videos. It isn't dry, you don't tried to put in a lot of jargon, and you listed most of the items you have used in the creation of your arrows. I only wish you have a link for the fletching machine but you got it from a garage sale.

@TheElvenArcher

3 жыл бұрын

yeah jojan went out of business a while back so they are hard to come by. You can still get bitzenburger fetching jigs which do a great job for any diameter arrowshaft but they are pretty pricey.

I appreciate the Zednaught Alpha playing in the background. Good vid!!

I used to make my arrows from the oak dowels at home depot. I was pretty careful to pick the ones with straight grain and without runoffs, so I thought I was fine. One day I was just finishing up a 90lb longbow I had made, and was breaking it in. As I fired one of the arrows I had made, one of them exploded in my hand, sending the back 1/3rd or so of the arrow through the flesh on the side of my forefinger where it was holding the bow. the front of the break had split into two splinters about 2 inches long, and the feathers were sticking out the other side. I have no idea how so much wood passed through without tearing the skin apart, but I guess our skin is incredibly elastic. I didn't even realize what had happened until I saw blood just start rushing out in a low arc, and then panic and pain set in. I ended up getting surgery and the finger is more or less ok, with a large scar on that finger and horrible memories. But I stopped using store bought dowels after that. Stuck to bamboo arrows... much safer and less likely to break that way. Plus they are even cheaper and easier to get a hold of and make than wooden ones, since home depot has bamboo stakes that work well.

@mikeg4365

3 жыл бұрын

You made me scared of arrows

@DoctorAsshole1

3 жыл бұрын

You had that happen and you kept making your own arrows? Lol

@lecobra418

3 жыл бұрын

@@DoctorAsshole1 Some people never learn.

@michaelhanes8214

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this info. Yes, poplar seems way too weak but Bamboo sounds much better.. 👍

I enjoyed your video. You portray an excellent personality throughout a well done video. 👍👍

Brilliant video! Got a horse bow at Christmas and now it's time to make some arrows for it!

Amazing commentary, comprehensive guide, good use of primary and secondary sources. Gg

New here, learned how to make arrows and tie a clove hitch knot from discovering your channel. Keep up the good work, I enjoyed the content! :)

Great video! Also, thanks for emphasis on the safety aspect. 👍

You're a natural. Fun job

Fun watch. Mighty fine arrows too. Many thanks

Surprised didn't find your channel sooner. Good stuff. Subbed.

Thanks, well explained, good humour. ..keep it up ....

I made an arrow one time when I was a teen my brother had a starter long bow and we lost all the arrows. We had a small patch of bamboo randomly in the woods so I got a piece the thickness of an arrow it was already extremely hard but I did a quick heat treat on them thinking it would make the stronger. Then for some reason we had an old cow skull in the yard and I broke a perfect arrow head looking piece off and used hard rocks to chip it in the exact shape I wanted then I sharpen the edges on a course rock then a smoother rock. I used natural twin construction glue and he goose feathers to finish it out. We shot that thing at targets forever before one of my buddies was like you couldn't shoot a deer with that if you hit something hard it'll break....so I said "yeah you're probably right" and aimed high up a tree and stuck it in the tree about 50ft in the tree and that's where it stayed possibly until this day...that was over a decade ago at this point though

OMG that dubbing at the end was amazing!

i enjoyed your humor! thx

You got yourself a sub. This was amazing dude!

Really interesting and helpful, plus funny at the same time 😆👍

Do I think your hand is cool! And the fact that you are handcrafting arrows and probably many other things is amazing as well! Way to go dude and thank you for your video!

Great guide and also very funny too :D

nice very helpful

Nice video. I've been shooting cheap carbon fiber arrows, but wanted to move on to something more traditional for some historical archery events. My dad used to make his own arrows, so I do have a ready resource at the other end of the phone, but it's good to have some idea before starting.

Fun video. Good job.

Good content! 😀

Great video with humor, I like it. In the past I used oak dowels (they are stronger and last longer) I would sharpen the ends with a carpenter pencil sharpener, take an electric wire cap and twist on tight, then cut plastic off, then seal with JB weld. For feathers I just used duct tape and used electrical tape around ends. I just cut a knock in the wood and sealed with wood glue. Great for targets, not really a hunting arrow, haha.

Green and gold fletching with a foot of snow, you must be in Wisconsin. Go Packers!!!! Great video!!!! 👍👍

@TheElvenArcher

2 жыл бұрын

Colorado actualy, I don't think people around here like the packers but I honestly couldn't tell you for sure.

@rikijett310

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheElvenArcher Denver Broncos when in Colorado. LOL I've been to Colorado several times. Spent a night in Leadville once. Cool old town but too high to stay if you're not used to altitude. My friend barfed all night from altitude sickness but refused to leave each time I asked. LOL

thanks, cool vid!

Brilliant video! Funny bleep. Thanks

Good video

Nice video editing :)

this is how many people thought this video is helpful 👇

Time for a crusade ⚔

I was told I would get a blessing for this: I wish mine was as long as the dowel . . .

Dowels are perfectly fine as long as they are made of pine, spruce, or cedar. Birch is also perfectly fine. Heck, you can even move to a gardener shop and get some bamboo sticks, if they're long enough. Only issue is, they're most of the time dried with modern industrial standards, which in return means, they are extremely dry. Just give them a linseed oil painting, and wait 3 days...fixed.

@obbzerver

3 жыл бұрын

No they're not.

@TheElvenArcher

2 жыл бұрын

Explain why please. nobody has ever given me a satisfactory explanation as to why they think dowel arrows aren't suitable.

I found that straight grained oak on a heavy bow was amazing. Also, privet. If you can get it. Old ( and massive ) Untended hedgerows are great for finding these. 👍🏻

@TheElvenArcher

2 жыл бұрын

No privet in my area unfortunately, not many arrow making plants at all to be honest. It makes me miss living in Oregon, that place is covered top to bottom in crafting resources.

@graemewight2975

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheElvenArcher : aw, Oregon is my dream place, the Oregon trail calls to me in my dreams, from my place among the Dawn Redwoods , im in Edinburgh Scotland, we have no redwoods 😥 We use privet as hedgerows here. It grows straight n tall when not clipped tightly. What about birch? Birch canes are wicked. They used to tan our arses with that at school when we got lippy back in the days lol. Haha , you used to get an extra two for flinching. Sorted us right oot. Hullo fae Scotland btw. 🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍🏻 Lets go Brandon.

Some of my best arrows are made of poplar, I use mostly river cane and bamboo

You only got one rubbing a shaft comment. Probablt because everybody was so awed when you finished with a BLO job.

Could you describe the flex testing a bit more? How much bend/force should one apply to the shaft? Am I flexing all orientations or just the side-to-side oscillation? Thanks!

@TheElvenArcher

Жыл бұрын

I'm bending them more than they would bend being shot out of the bow maybe 4 inches of deflection. And as I bend each shaft I'm rolling it to make sure it bends in every direction.

Nice work. You would probably enjoy forging bodkin arrow tips.

@TheElvenArcher

2 жыл бұрын

once I have a proper anvil setup I will absolutely be doing that

My favorite part about making my own arrows is feather splicing. Takes some extra work, but allows for some extra personalisation.

I do not comment often but this was informative as well as entertaining. Great job!

Bro this video has BLOWN UP. and quick question do you find fletching with two arrows has them fly as well as three.

@TheElvenArcher

3 жыл бұрын

They don't, not at longer ranges anyway, but the difference is pretty small. I still like them but my regular arrows are actualy 4 fletch which are more stable while still not having an odd feather.

@thearcherintraining496

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheElvenArcher ok, well I have a three fletch jig but as you probably know, fletchings are expensive. I’m trying to make my own but I have to wait till turkey season. I might still stay with three fletch for a little bit longer.

@saikiran-jq2ns

3 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/nIOX2M2emaWqmrQ.html ......

4:43 Hey did you use the glass jar right away after you put the boiled linseed oil on or did you let the oil sit for it to dry/harden?

I hit that subscribe as soon as I recognized a fellow pyromaniac. :B

@TheElvenArcher

4 жыл бұрын

Hey, I can stop whenever I want. Or at least as soon as everything stops being so flammable...

So your prime material does cost you less than 5$, but you've put so much love into those arrows that the commercial value of your finished product ends up being more than 10 times that value, lol. Ever though about selling your arrows to make some extra cash? Seriously! Btw, love your sense of humour, and thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge and experience.... There is no knowledge that isn't power, power to the people! I've made my own bows and arrows as a kid, it's such an intuitive (and safe) hunting weapon that it's hard to go wrong with it... like arrows do not necessarily need feather tails, lol. I'm sure they help with stabilisation, but for short range shooting I can do without... and at shorter ranges you can even throw the arrows at your target without using a bow, just throw them bo-shuriken style, lol. Takes a lot of practice but it's really cool. And very useful in case you accidently lose your bow, but still have the arrows 😂

Lol, great video dude!

Superb 👍I subscribed

Nice video, well done.

Very entertaining video! Good job.

I know oak is heavier, but wouldn't it also be stronger/a replacement for larger diameter poplar?

Good video. However I was thinking maybe if you flex test your dowels before you cut them to length and then it breaks you might be able to still make an arrow...

Do you have other books from the backyard bowyer, do you recommend other books from him?

0:38 I use to weary watch like that too

I'm taking archery lessons from a friend wish me luck.

@TheElvenArcher

2 жыл бұрын

good luck 👍

@hillarycourchaine6829

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheElvenArcher thanks I really appreciate you being so kind and wonderful. Today it went pretty well just taking it slow and learning safety measures but so far it's going well.

@joshuagrapher

Жыл бұрын

@@hillarycourchaine6829 Very wholesome, hope you're keeping up with it!

Holy shit the thought that my arrow could brake during the release and stab into my hand kinda threw me off making my own arrows with the cheapest materials possible

@GayTruckDriver

Жыл бұрын

Haha 😂 same here, i guess im using some kind of glove when testning my new arrows from now on

That wrist work on that sanding lol

Reed's are easy to work with.

@TheElvenArcher

4 жыл бұрын

If they grow in your area. I used bamboo to make ATL-ATL darts while I was living in Oregon and that worked really well. I've heard river cane is great as well, easy to straighten and strong. There's just not really a comparable plant here in colorado.

You can also make flechs out of ducttape work good

@TheElvenArcher

5 ай бұрын

They really don't unless you have an arrow rest designed for plastic veins and even then actual fetching are so cheap that it's not worth using.

sheesh bro you could sand my shaft any day and twice on Sundays.

@christopherrubel5761

2 жыл бұрын

lmao

Brilliant video. I learned and enjoyed, now off to save a dollar

Dope

I'm making some stumping arrows right now out of dowels from home depot because I'm cheap and I dont trust myself to make great arrows yet. My bow is only 25lbs so it shouldn't be too bad right? 😬 I sanded knocks directly into the wood and they look pretty nice. Would you try this instead of using cheap plastic nocks?

@TheElvenArcher

3 жыл бұрын

I wouldn't personally, the nock is a pretty vulnerable part of the arrow as it is cut into the grain and is prone to splitting. At the very least I would cut it at a 90-degree angle against the grain. The Backyard Bowyer also has a video on how to make reinforced self nocks: kzread.info/dash/bejne/fYV2ttCre6zPY84.html its definitely worth checking out though the plastic nocks are so cheap that it's worth picking some up just for simplicities sake.

I’ve been making my own wooden arrows and just use dutct tape for the fletching and weight for the tip, they never are super consistent so I’ll try this method and hopefully I can get more consistent results

@TheElvenArcher

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, the duct tape fletching is an ok concept but it doesn't work very well unless you have a rest meant for shooting plastic veins.

@dr.lexwinter8604

4 жыл бұрын

Then you aren't making arrows are you. You're making pieces of dowel with tape stuck to them. I would probably suggest never admitting this publicly. When I was about five I learnt to fletch properly, so this is something an under four year old might be proud of. :P

@sethweitman7478

3 жыл бұрын

Dr. Lex Winter I am actually pretty proud of them, they may not be perfect but they are cheap and I have fun shooting them.

@sethweitman7478

3 жыл бұрын

Dr. Lex Winter no need to shame me for it

@ReasonAboveEverything

3 жыл бұрын

@@dr.lexwinter8604 what a garbage comment. Makes me want to puke.

Would it help to clear coat the arrows? So its weather resistant and help it to not crack?

@TheElvenArcher

2 жыл бұрын

some people do clear coat them but arrows shouldn't be subjected to weather.

6:41 I see all craftsy creators are in a big ecosystem of views then

@TheElvenArcher

3 жыл бұрын

look man, I like making stuff and I like watching others make stuff 😆

@prichard6836

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheElvenArcher I get that

2:27 why is poplar so suitable for arrows? Are there other types of trees that makes for good arrows? Willow, Ash, beech?

@TheElvenArcher

2 ай бұрын

You can make arrows from any wood that has straight grain and a bit of spring to it. Ash for sure, though it's a bit heavier. Willow and poplar are both in the salicaceae family so most species are pretty similar in terms of their wood properties.

Hey @TheElvenArcher I am looking to make 3/8 dowel arrows. What size arrowhead do I need??

@TheElvenArcher

3 жыл бұрын

umm... a 3/8th

Bent dowels can be straightened with a little heat or steam. You can even straighten them by rotating and sliding the bent part of the dowel above the flame of a candle. Just don't allow all the heat to hit one spot... you're trying to heat up the dowel, not burn it.

Where did you get the feathers such cheap ?

What weight for whitetail hunting? Recurve #45 The weight or mass of the arrow

@TheElvenArcher

3 жыл бұрын

I am not the guy to ask, I've only hunted for small game. though 45# is a little underpowered to begin with.

Time for a crusade

I know you recommended popular but I made arrows before I watched your video and used oak, I find that it works well but should I use popular?

@TheElvenArcher

3 жыл бұрын

I had trouble finding oak with straight grain but the bigger issue is that oak is really heavy compared to poplar but isn't super stiff like Ipe for example. You can have an Ipe arrow that is thin *and has a low spine value (meaning a stiffer arrow) because its heavy but also really stiff and you can get a sufficient spine with a small diameter. Poplar is pretty stiff for its very light weight so you get much faster arrow speed. Oak arrows are fine as long as you don't mind slow arrow speed.

@thearcherintraining496

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheElvenArcher ok that’s good to know, I was planning o; going and getting some more dowels to make more arrows soon, I’ll have to try popular.

Would it be a bad idea to just fletch by hand? Also is the sanding + linseed oil part necessary?

@TheElvenArcher

3 жыл бұрын

Fletching my hand is possible but just takes so much more time that I dont think its worth it. And yes sanding and oiling the shafts is necessary, dowels are not shaped with a lot of care so sanding down any ridges or uneven spots helps to keep them consistent. The linseed oil I find ads a bit of elasticity and more importantly protects the wood from moisture.

@mariamm8687

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheElvenArcher I see, thanks for explaining! The video is very informative and accessible. What do you think about keeping all the steps the same but using harvested hazel shoots instead of the dowels?

@TheElvenArcher

3 жыл бұрын

@@mariamm8687 if you can get hazel, then go for it. ive made several bows from hazel and found it to be a really nice material to work with. I would recommend gathering a big bundle then bundling them tightly together with twine and letting them dry slowly for a season or so to avoid splitting and warping. you will have to do a bit of tuning on them if you want them to fly consistently but that would be kick ass to make your own arrows completely from scratch. I wish I had been back in Oregon this past summer as Colorado doesn't have near the amount of natural materials to work with.

@mikegrossberg8624

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheElvenArcher Sanding the shafts will also remove "micro-splinters"

I tried it the light wood dowel but then i ended up getting and using the heavy oak dowel, but I do want to know what diameter do you use

@TheElvenArcher

2 жыл бұрын

I use 5/16 most of the time

what should i type on amazon tho find the materials???

@TheElvenArcher

Жыл бұрын

If you're making arrows with 5/16 dowels you need 5/16th glue on arrow points, 5/16th glue on plastic nocks, and the fetching of your choice.

Can you make arrows out of carbon fiber rods.. or even hard plastic rods?

@thejackofalldans786

Жыл бұрын

most modern heavy poundage arrow shafts are carbon fiber or a ballistic plastic these days

6:29 flecha means arrow.

Can u use these arrows in a compound bow?

@TheElvenArcher

3 жыл бұрын

Yes and no But mostly no 😆 The thing is you could probably get away with it if you had a larger diameter arrow and a light weight compound but you aren't going to get good performance and theres always the danger of the arrow exploding when you release. Its just not a good idea.

what bow are u using i like it

@TheElvenArcher

Жыл бұрын

It is a panda model made by bear archery, pretty easy to find one on ebay for about $150

@manyhatsentertainment8685

Жыл бұрын

If you haven't gotten one yet this is a pretty great model if you can find it for that price on eBay but if you're like me and want all your weapons to be brand new and you be the only owner then I recommend the sammick sage I used to be in that 150$ range but they are cheaper it is a really good bow for beginners all the way to experienced archers you can customize it with all the attachments for cheaper than you can buy half a bear archery bow

@TheElvenArcher

Жыл бұрын

@@manyhatsentertainment8685 consider the drip tho. Old fiberglass bows just look really cool.

@manyhatsentertainment8685

Жыл бұрын

@@TheElvenArcher I prefer mainly wood though but to each their own I plan on buying a wooden longbow before long wanted one for years but I needed to get proficient with what I have for a while before I introduce another bow that I may have to short differently

Every time you sand a cilinder scream JUST THE TIP

How do you know how hard to flex your arrows?

@TheElvenArcher

2 ай бұрын

I bend them to maybe three to four inches of deflection

what are you shooting at in the last shot?

@TheElvenArcher

3 жыл бұрын

the moon, I kinda missed tho

@justjohn5287

11 ай бұрын

​@@TheElvenArcherYou almost made it, try a better angle

Very nice! Why 2 fletches ?

@TheElvenArcher

4 ай бұрын

They can be nocked in either direction so it's much easier to load without looking for instinctive shooting or speed shooting. I've since switched to four fletch or sometimes two long fletcher and two short alternating as they fly straighter over long range

@Arrowrude

4 ай бұрын

@@TheElvenArcher really interesting !

My problem with dowel arrows is all the hardware stores do them in 30in which is too short for me (I'm 6ft 5') or they do them in 2.4m. They need to be bought in 2.4m, you can't cut them down in store. You need to take them home and do it. I don't drive. I can't take home 12x 2.4m wooden rods as I'll get stopped by the police for "looking dodgey" lol.

@TheElvenArcher

2 жыл бұрын

Couple things, with a draw length that long you're going to have to up the size of your dowels as the longer they are the lower the spine value. And why can't you cut them down in the store? Just bring a small saw and cut them.

@CoffeeFiend1

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheElvenArcher The UK is funny place.

I know nothing, could these be used to hunt ?

@TheElvenArcher

2 жыл бұрын

They could, I don't think I would personaly because if I'm going to be shooting at an animal I want the best possible chance of putting it down quickly and humanely, but with some tuning these arrows would fly true enough to hunt with.

@SirGuidemere91

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheElvenArcher to be honest I’ve always liked archery from afar, but with the crazy world we live in and price/scarcity of the weapons I would normally turn to, I’d love to become a minimalist and archer; learn how to craft my own as a means of survival if shtf I guess lol I appreciate the reply

@SirGuidemere91

2 жыл бұрын

@Terry Winderweedle I appreciate the tip. Yes I’m definitely looking to learn to hunt and track. Would love to learn and teach my kids what my family never taught me. This world is at a tipping point unfortunately.

o dam wtf my friends' house is not ten minutes away from that range

@TheElvenArcher

2 жыл бұрын

small world I guess

do you ever thought about an arrowholder (hope thats the right word cause im german native :-D LoL) on your belt?

@davidhunt6508

2 жыл бұрын

The English word would be "quiver". Often worn, either across the back, or hanging from a belt.

4:50 can i just use i pencil sharpener for this?

@TheElvenArcher

3 жыл бұрын

No, these have a specific angle of taper and a pencil sharpener will create an incorrect taper and not let the nock or point seat properly on the shaft.

@batmansballsofsteel

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheElvenArcher ok thank you!

@giuseppecalipari1805

Жыл бұрын

@@TheElvenArcher Where can I get it from?

Where would I buy the taper tool

@TheElvenArcher

Жыл бұрын

3rivers archery supply is where I got mine. I'm sure Amazon has them as well though.

@giuseppecalipari1805

Жыл бұрын

@@TheElvenArcher Awesome. What about the tips and nocks

@TheElvenArcher

Жыл бұрын

@@giuseppecalipari1805 watch the video man, it's all in there.

time for a crusade

What length should the fletching be, I am a kid so just wondering to make cheap arrows to use

@TheElvenArcher

3 жыл бұрын

I use 5 inch fetching because I like the way they look but really any size works. I have arrows with 1 1/2 feathers that fly just fine.

@90daywarranty18

3 жыл бұрын

Also, if you're buying all of your supplies, shorter feathers are generally cheaper than longer feathers, by about half in my experience. So you could make three feather arrows, for less than his two feather arrows, if you used three inch feathers.

@mikegrossberg8624

2 жыл бұрын

Concerns about feather length are length of arrow, weight of arrow, spine of arrow, type of arrowhead, and so on A lightweight target arrow needs only a short(1/2 to 2 inches) fletching to stabilize it. A "war" arrow, half-inch oak shaft 30 inches long, with bodkin point, would need 6-7 inch fletching to stabilize

Are they accurate? That's the most important point.

@TheElvenArcher

2 жыл бұрын

If you put time into tuning them, these will be as accurate as any other wood arrow.

For 900 and some dollars that is a really small "bar" of gold.

@TheElvenArcher

3 жыл бұрын

a bar of 24 karrat gold the size of this book would be worth more than 150 grand 🤣 seems like an absolute steal to me at 900 bucks