"Primitive" Cane Arrow - Chapter One

Making an arrow using a type of cane native to the Mediterranean (Arundo donax). This bamboo-like plaint is an introduced, invasive species in the U.S., and is considered a pest in most areas.

This first chapter involves straightening the raw cane arrowshaft and cutting a string nock.

Chapters to follow will show the preparation of a stone tipped foreshaft (hafted with pine-pitch and sinew), preparing the cane shaft to accept the foreshaft, and applying feathers to the arrow.

If you have an interest in prehistoric archery, come visit the archery forums at PaleoPlanet.net

Thanks for taking a look.

Tom Mills
Pasadena, CA

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Arrow
• primitive
• arrow
• arrowhead
• river
• cane
• arundo
• paleoplanet
• fletching

[sharks123456790]

It's nice to see that SOME people appreciate the way our ancestors lived. I for one do and want to live like one. Thank you for sharing! :)

[troycollins80]

u are the man.Thank you very much.

[kevseadog]

What time of year do you harvest the cane? I cut some in a river bed in CA two weeks ago green, thinking it would dry like wild rose or mulefat, but it is very brittle. I found one already dry piece in the same river bed and straightened it and it was great. So does the strength depend on when you harvest?

Thanks.

[WarBeer]

Thank you SO much for all the wonderful videos. You're a fantastic teacher and you're videos are very relaxing to watch:)

[bassnman420]

thanks i will try that i made a super long arrow and it spun in a huge circle and so ill cut it down and try it out in a few days

[darkcolmar]

a good guide is to make the as long as your draw plus the length of your forefinger.

[boi560]

depends entirely on your arm length

[bassnman420]

how long do you make them usually

[sjeter61]

Excellent! This is exactly what I was looking for. The donax bamboo is wild where I live , but we have little of what people call "river cane" Im glad to see the donax will make a good arrow. 5*****

[bustedflakes]

thanks for sharing. Grady B