ORIGINAL Historical-Style Wooden Arrow with Natural Turkey Feathers

The ORIGINAL historical-style wooden arrow under the Erenhill brand combines a selected spruce shaft, natural turkey feathers, traditional-style bindings, a wooden self nock and a black metal point.

It is intended primarily for traditional, instinctive and historical-style archery and can also be suitable for longbows, traditional recurves and some Asian or horsebows when correctly matched.

Historical style without unsupported authenticity claims

ORIGINAL uses several components associated with traditional-looking arrows:

• natural wood,
• real feathers,
• binding around the fletching,
• wooden self nock,
• historical-style metal point.

At the same time, the arrow also uses modern production methods such as spine testing, modern adhesives and clear lacquer.

For that reason it should be described as a functional historical-style arrow, rather than an exact reconstruction of a particular archaeological find or historical period.

Selected violin-grade spruce

The shaft is made from selected spruce described in the product data as violin-grade material.

The wood is double sorted to help select shafts according to straightness, grain and suitability for further processing.

Because wood is a natural material, slight variations in grain, colour and mass are normal.

Spine measured with a tester

Shaft stiffness is measured using a spine tester in pounds.

Correct spine depends on:

• bow draw weight,
• actual draw length,
• shaft length,
• point weight,
• bow design,
• release technique.

The arrow should therefore be matched to the actual bow and archer.

Available lengths

Current selectable lengths are:

• 28″ / 710 mm
• 30″ / 760 mm
• 32″ / 810 mm

Arrow length must provide sufficient safety margin beyond the archer's real maximum draw.

This is especially important with thumb draw and other Asian techniques that may use a longer draw.

8.0 and 8.7 mm diameters

Available shaft diameters are:

• 8.0 mm
• 8.7 mm

Diameter does not by itself determine spine or suitability for a stronger bow.

Natural white turkey feathers

Current variants use 4″ white natural turkey feathers.

Natural feathers are particularly useful with traditional bows because they can partially collapse when passing close to the bow shelf, riser or hand.

Traditional-style binding

The feathers are glued to the shaft surface and additionally secured with binding at both ends.

This supports the traditional appearance and helps secure the ends of the fletching.

Wooden self nock

The arrow does not use a separate plastic nock.

Instead, the bowstring sits in a self nock approximately 3 mm wide, cut directly into the wooden shaft.

The nock must be checked regularly for cracks, chipping or excessive wear.

100-grain historical-style point

The front of the arrow is fitted with a 100-grain black metal point with a historical-style appearance.

Point weight affects total arrow mass, balance and dynamic spine, so a replacement point should be selected carefully.

Three coats of clear lacquer

The shaft is protected with three coats of clear lacquer.

This helps protect the wood from ordinary dirt and surface moisture, but does not make the arrow waterproof.

Traditional, 3D and horsebow use

When correctly matched, ORIGINAL may be used for:

• traditional archery,
• instinctive shooting,
• longbows,
• traditional recurves,
• 3D archery,
• historical-style events,
• some Asian and horsebows.

For reenactment or historically regulated competitions, always check the organiser's rules.

Choosing the correct ORIGINAL arrow

For the best match, consider:

• bow draw weight,
• actual draw length,
• bow type,
• required arrow length,
• release technique.

At Erenhill Archery School, we can help choose the correct shaft length, diameter and spine for your setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What wood is used?

Selected violin-grade spruce.

Is the wood sorted?

Yes. It is double sorted.

Is spine measured?

Yes. Shaft stiffness is measured using a spine tester.

Which lengths are currently available?

28″, 30″ and 32″.

Which diameters are available?

8.0 mm and 8.7 mm.

What fletching is used?

Natural white turkey feathers.

How long are the feathers?

4″ on the currently selectable 710–810 mm versions.

Does it use a plastic nock?

No. It uses a wooden self nock.

How wide is the self nock?

Approximately 3 mm.

What does the point weigh?

100 grains.

Is this an exact historical replica?

No specific archaeological source has been documented. It is a functional historical-style wooden arrow.

Is it suitable for a longbow?

Yes, when spine, length and total setup are correctly matched.

Can it be used with a horsebow?

Potentially yes, when matched to the actual draw length and bow.

Can Erenhill Archery School help me choose?

Yes. We can help select appropriate length, diameter and spine.

Final Summary

The ORIGINAL historical-style wooden arrow under the Erenhill brand combines selected spruce, measured spine, natural white turkey feathers, traditional-style binding, a 100-grain metal point and a wooden self nock.

Current selectable lengths are 28″, 30″ and 32″, with 8.0 mm or 8.7 mm shaft diameters.

The shaft is protected with three coats of clear lacquer, while the 4″ natural feathers and self nock give the arrow a strongly traditional appearance.

If you are unsure which configuration is appropriate, Erenhill Archery School can help match the ORIGINAL arrow to your bow, actual draw length and shooting style.