Home > Arrows and Arrow Making > Shaft Tamer Arrow Straightener

Bent arrows or bent shafts are the bane of an archers life, when I am making arrows I first straighten the shaft, you may find that some of the arrow shafts you buy are straight but there will always be some that are not, at the worst end of the scale you can find that all of them are slightly kinked, this can be a result of having bee stored or shipped badly.

It isn't the end of the world though, most archers are familiar with how to hand straighten an arrow but the number that can do it properly is less than the number who think they can. I have watched as archers snap arrows trying to straighten them. There are many methods to straighten a shaft and this little tool is one of the simplest.

I have to admit to being somewhat sceptical about a block of steel with a groove in it. The Shaft Tamer will work on all sizes of shaft.

The method is simple, it uses compression to straighten the shaft, because it is grooved you get a nice even pressure around the shaft.

It's just a case of sighting down the shaft finding the high spot and lay the shaft on a flat surface - I have a large sheet of thick glass for this purpose, with the high spot uppermost gently rub the shaft with the Shaft Tamer. You won't need as much force as you think and it is best to start light and work up if you have to - incredibly it works !

I did have reservations that it might in some way alter the spine of an arrow but any testing I have done has not revealed this to be the case.

Use it on raw shafts although I have used it on finished shafts that have become bent through my neglect, be careful though as too much pressure on a finished shaft will crack or mar the finish.

In actual fact you could use any metal object to compress the shaft, a screwdriver or what ever you have with a flat surface but I like the feel and shape of the Shaft Tamer and the groove is what it is all about.

Rating
Features & Design
Pleasing shape with a groove, pretty functional
Performance
Yes it works, use a light touch and you will get results
Value for Money
Hmmm... the trouble is it will always feel like you paid $40 for a lump of metal
Overall
I actually enjoy hand straightening but this tool does work and is a nice addition to the fletchers armoury

 

 

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Steve Nicholson and Andy Gilfrin, are real archers interested in the best archery suppliers have to offer. In our search for the very best bow, arrows and equipment we have shot, used and worn pretty much everything on offer.

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Essential Details
What : Shaft Tamer Arrow Straightener Price : $40

Nothing miraculous here, it's all simple science.

Simple and functional design

Rub along the high spot of the kink.

Magazine

July 2010 The Mary Rose story comes to life this month, when Steve and Andy went to visit archaeologist Alex Hildred and got our hands on 500 year old long bows (literally). We look at the battle of Vernuiel, Andy visits France on a peace mission and we talk to Sid at Border.


June 2010 Bumper edition this month, a pig in armour, Geoff towers direct from Homildon Hill and a look at the Mary Rose. There is also news of the UK Atlatl championships and all the usual regular items.


May 2010 This month sees the release of yet another Robin Hood film, to celebrate this months magazine is a Robin Hood special. We look at the man behind the legend with a couple of articles about the man and the period that gave rise to him. We also have an article on Little John, not Robin Hoods side kick but John Cately of Little John Arrow, he talks to us about his life in archery and the way he likes to make his arrows. 

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