Best Wood Arrows
Wooden arrows have been around for years and are the classic choice for traditional archery. It is generally safer to use wood arrows with longbows or recurve bows, as the more powerful compound bows can shatter wooden arrows causing harm to the archer and bystanders. However, many archers favor the classic wooden arrows that preserve archery’s rich history and adhere to original equipment and practices.
What are wood arrows used for?
Wood arrows are mostly used for traditional archery and typically feature natural feather fletchings on the tail end of the arrow. In addition to being cheaper than other arrow materials, wood arrows are lightweight, quiet, and best used within 30 yards of the intended target. However, in recent years, wooden arrows have been phased out of modern archery due to their delicacy compared to aluminum and carbon arrows.
Sizes And Dimensions
Wooden arrows come in a variety of sizes, which archers call spine weight. Spine weight is measured using the diameter of the shaft and the density of the wood being used, and the most common shaft diameters of wooden arrows are 5/16-inch, 11/32-inch, and 23/64-inch. To determine the length of the arrow they should use, archers calculate their draw length by measuring the distance at full draw between the back of the bow and the nock point.
Materials
Many traditional archers prefer to make their own wooden arrows, and doing so requires in-depth knowledge of the different types of wood because they all serve different purposes. The most common wood used in creating arrows is pine, but cedar is also a popular choice as it is lighter and travels further. Ash and oak are also common in arrows used during war as they are heavier and inflict more damage.
Many feathers can work as fletching, but turkey feathers are the most common with their unique mix of durability and flexibility that increases arrow accuracy.
What are the best wood arrows?
- Huntingdoor Turkey Feather Fletched Wooden Arrows
- PG1Archery Target Wooden Arrows
- KAINOKAI Traditional Hunting Bamboo Arrows
- CUPID Bamboo Hunting Arrows
- TopArchery Target Hunting Wooden Arrows
- TTAD Traditional Wooden Arrows
- CUPID Traditional Wood Arrows
- E5e10 Handmade Wooden Archery Arrows
- TTAD White Medieval Wooden Arrows
- PA Archery Wooden Arrows
1. Huntingdoor Turkey Feather Fletched Wooden Arrows
Specifications:
- Price: $53.99 (12 arrows)
- Rating: 4.3/5
- Length: 31in.
- Brand: Huntingdoor
These handmade arrows are expertly crafted to match 40-60 pound recurve bows, longbows, and traditional bows. Fixed classic nocks and 100-grain field points make these arrows perfect for both archery experts and beginners, and are great as hunting arrows. Fletchings constructed with natural turkey feathers are individually glued on by hand to ensure an accurate and precise flight path. If ever disturbed, they can be straightened by hand or with a fabric steamer.
2. PG1Archery Target Wooden Arrows
Specifications:
- Price: $44.99 (12 arrows)
- Rating: 4.2/5
- Length: 32in.
- Brand: PG1Archery
This pack of 12 wooden arrows will fill your quiver with style. The three bright yellow parabolic turkey feather fletchings allow for easier retrieval when hunting. The arrows also come fully equipped with plastic nocks at the end of the 32-inch shaft. PG1Archery guarantees solid performance from their arrows and is known to provide low hand shock and ample speed. These wooden arrows are best suited for a recurve bow, traditional bow, or longbow.
3. KAINOKAI Traditional Hunting Bamboo Arrows
Specifications:
- Price: $39.99 (6 arrows)
- Rating: 4.3/5
- Length: 31in.
- Brand: KAINOKAI
These arrows from KAINOKAI are perfect for traditional bow or large-pound bow hunting. The handmade 700-grain shaft is crafted with carefully selected natural wood and bamboo poles connected to five-inch turkey feather fletchings. While aesthetically pleasing, these arrows also pack a punch with 104-grain, armor-piercing broadheads that can be easily replaced when they begin to dull. All of these features combine to create stable flight trajectories, great power, and excellent impact resistance.
4. CUPID Bamboo Hunting Arrows
Specifications:
- Price: $36.80 (6 arrows)
- Rating: 4.2/5
- Length: 31in.
- Brand: CUPID
These 31-inch arrows are perfect for use with a recurve bow or longbow. The arrow’s shaft is made of bamboo and is designed for extremely stable flight in even the harshest conditions. They are available in three colorways: red, white, and blue. At only $36.80, the CUPID Bamboo Hunting Arrows provide high-quality design at an affordable price point.
5. TopArchery Target Hunting Wooden Arrows
Specifications:
- Price: $43.99 (6 arrows)
- Rating: 4.2/5
- Length: 31.5in.
- Brand: TopArchery
TopArchery’s arrows are suitable for all types of traditional bows and archers of any experience level, with draw weights ranging from 40-65 pounds. This high-quality wood is handcrafted with a medieval look down to the stainless steel bullet arrowheads, which are meant to be used for longbow or recurve bow target practice. The durable wood is completed with natural brown camo feathers for fletchings, providing precision and accuracy throughout the arrow’s flight path.
6. TTAD Traditional Wooden Arrows
Specifications:
- Price: $49.99 (12 arrows)
- Rating: 4.2/5
- Length: 32in.
- Brand: TTAD
These traditional wooden arrows are perfect for bows with draw weights between 35 lbs and 55 lbs. They feature green turkey feathers and medieval-style black knocks. According to customer reviews, the TTAD Traditional Wooden Arrows are extremely straight and well-performing. At a price point of $49.99 for 12 arrows, they are a very affordable option for all skill levels.
7. CUPID Traditional Wood Arrows
Specifications:
- Price: $46.80 (12 arrows)
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Length: 31in.
- Brand: CUPID
These traditional wooden arrows by CUPID are crafted with a high-quality whitewood shaft and can be used with both longbows and recurve bows. 5.8-inch three-piece turkey feathers are used as fletching, and silver metal tips provide sharpness to each arrow. These arrows are built to provide sturdiness and durability, making them a great purchase.
8. E5e10 Handmade Wooden Archery Arrows
Specifications:
- Price: $45.99 (12 arrows)
- Rating: 5/5
- Length: 33in.
- Brand: e5e10
E5e10’s Handmade Wooden Arrows are made for recurve bows, longbows, and traditional bows. Their 33-inch arrows are made with glued broadheads and self-nocks. These arrows support draw weights of 40 to 60 pounds. Handmade and durable, the arrows are crafted with sturdy wood into a shaft spanning 5/16” in diameter. The fletching consists of real feathers, which are uniquely shaped to offer better arrow performance.
9. TTAD White Medieval Wooden Arrows
Specifications:
- Price: $49.99 (12 arrows)
- Rating: 4.2/5
- Length: 32in.
- Brand: TTAD
These arrows are accentuated by their traditional medieval style, with self nocks and an 8.5 mm shaft diameter. Full white shield, five-inch turkey feather fletchings sit on the tail of the 100grain arrow shaft. A draw weight limit range of 35-55 pounds makes these arrows a great choice for target practice or hunting with traditional recurve bows or longbows. As an added bonus, the crisp white fletchings can be steamed if damaged, meaning the arrows are sure to withstand the test of time.
10. PA Archery Wooden Arrows
Specifications:
- Price: $20.99 (6 arrows) or $45.99 (12 arrows)
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Length: 33in.
- Brand: PA
These steel bullet-tipped arrows are perfect for recurve bow archery hunting. The modern and durable wooden shaft is fletched with three five-inch white European-style turkey feathers that provide added precision to the arrows. The pine wood shafts make these arrows good target practice arrows with their density and durability. Weighing in at 45 grams, they are also flexible enough to hold up under the speed needed for archery hunting.
FAQ
What type of wood are wooden arrows made of?
The shafts of wooden arrows are typically made of either cedar, pine, or spruce, as these three types of wood can be made into durable, lightweight, and effective arrows. Cedar is cited as one of the best types of wood for arrows, as it is insect-repellant, decay-resistant, and lightweight. Pine is one of the most commonly used materials in wooden arrows as it is affordable, lightweight, and durable. Ash and oak were also used to make wooden arrows during wartime but are much less commonly used recreationally.
What type of bows are best to use with wood arrows?
Wood arrows should only be used with low power recurve bows or longbows. Most modern compound bows are too powerful for traditional wood arrows and can cause the arrows to break or splinter, which is a major injury risk. Wooden arrows are a great option for children’s bows with lower draw weights. However, if you have a compound bow, you should look for aluminum, carbon, or fiberglass arrows.
Are wooden arrows durable?
While wooden arrows can last a while if used correctly and cared for, arrows made from other materials do tend to last longer. Arrows made of materials like carbon and aluminum will typically outlast their wooden counterparts, in large part due to wood’s tendency to warp and even shatter after extended use. That being said, wooden arrows represent an age-old method of arrow design and can certainly get the job done in their own right.