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Crossbows - Everything about Building, Modding, and Using your Crossbow Gear

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3 posters

    Source for authentic bolt making

    bpnelson
    bpnelson
    Fresh Blood

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    Fresh Blood Doesn't meanI'm new to crossbows


    Posts : 23
    Join date : 2011-09-29
    Age : 33
    Location : Houghton, MI

    Source for authentic bolt making Empty Source for authentic bolt making

    Post by bpnelson Wed Nov 09, 2011 6:30 am

    Hey guys, I thought I'd share something I found on the web. I was looking for makers of 1/2 socket or larger arrow heads for making some medieval style bolts. I found two sites:

    longbowandarrow.co.uk
    rudderbowsarchery.com

    The first sells a multitude of shafts (including 3/8, 1/2, and 1/2-3/8 tapered) as well as medieval style bodkins and target piles for any sized shaft (1/2" war bodkins are about 200 grains).

    The second sells very heavy war-type bodkins (1/2 socket, 350 grains) as well as many shafts including 3/8 and the tapered 1/2-3/8.

    For those in the US, longbowandarrow.co.uk has that export tax on the arrow heads. So with shipping and all it comes to about $2.50 a bodkin (for the expensive war heads).

    The bodkins from rudderbowsarchery.com average to about $5 each.

    Just thought I'd share.

    Cheers,
    Brian
    Gnome
    Gnome
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    Source for authentic bolt making Empty Re: Source for authentic bolt making

    Post by Gnome Wed Nov 09, 2011 7:06 am

    I just received a dozen quarrel bodkins from longbowandarrow.co.uk, Richard Head Longbows. Overall I'm very pleased, and shipping from the UK was very quick. One thing, though, I ordered 1/2" bodkins, expecting the outer diameter of the socket to be 1/2", but these are slightly smaller. I don't have them with me to measure, but since I'd planned on 1/2" shafts, that means barrelling down the end a bit. Not a bad idea anyway, but not quite what I expected.
    stoneagebowyer
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    Source for authentic bolt making Empty Re: Source for authentic bolt making

    Post by stoneagebowyer Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:54 am

    A cheap little pipe cutter is a great tool for fitting on bolt / arrow heads.

    3 Rivers Archery sells some nifty little bolt heads. They are not authentic repros, but medieval styled, only cost 8 dollars for 3 heads (125 grains), and look nice. I use them on 3/8" shafting.

    I wouldn't recommend rudderbows to my worst enemy.


    Last edited by stoneagebowyer on Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:56 am; edited 1 time in total
    bpnelson
    bpnelson
    Fresh Blood

    Doesn't mean
    I'm new to crossbows


    Fresh Blood Doesn't meanI'm new to crossbows


    Posts : 23
    Join date : 2011-09-29
    Age : 33
    Location : Houghton, MI

    Source for authentic bolt making Empty Re: Source for authentic bolt making

    Post by bpnelson Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:55 am

    Bad experiences? I've never ordered from them.
    stoneagebowyer
    stoneagebowyer
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    Source for authentic bolt making Empty Re: Source for authentic bolt making

    Post by stoneagebowyer Wed Nov 09, 2011 11:00 am

    Very bad experience. PA's web forums have others commenting on Rudderbows who have had much worse experiences with that company. I will just say be careful if you order from him, but not everyone feels the way I do, so you pays your money and takes your chances. PM me if you want details.
    bpnelson
    bpnelson
    Fresh Blood

    Doesn't mean
    I'm new to crossbows


    Fresh Blood Doesn't meanI'm new to crossbows


    Posts : 23
    Join date : 2011-09-29
    Age : 33
    Location : Houghton, MI

    Source for authentic bolt making Empty Re: Source for authentic bolt making

    Post by bpnelson Wed Nov 09, 2011 11:07 am

    Thanks for the heads up. I'll probably go with Richard Head Longbows' bodkins. They're cheaper anyway. Also, what do you think about using 1/2" oak dowels? The store here has them with a nice straight grain.
    stoneagebowyer
    stoneagebowyer
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    Crossbow JunkieI live here!


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    Source for authentic bolt making Empty Re: Source for authentic bolt making

    Post by stoneagebowyer Wed Nov 09, 2011 11:30 am

    Any hardwood doweling that is the right diameter for your particular bolts should work fine. Just make sure the shaft is straight, and so is the grain. Grain run-off is not our friend. Cresting the bolts with bright colors may help you find them in on the range or in the field, too.

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