Looking to get a couple dozen economy carbon shafts and I have it narrowed down to these 3 choices....

Victory Vforce, Big Jim Dark Timbers, and Easton 6.5 bowhunters. in 500 and 400 spines.

What one of these would you choose and why? How do they compare in spine consistency and overall toughness?

I love my Dark Timbers...Never tried any others, no need to !!!

I have tried the other two. But I really like the dark timbers from Big Jim

X3 on the Dark Timbers

6.5’s and. Dark timber’s

Just to "attempt" to set the record straight. Dark Timbers are not economy shafts! :) They are more affordable than the rest because I have no middleman and can't afford to hold out for higher prices. The Dark Timbers are made in South Korea by the same company making all the shafts for CX. There made to exacting specs to my order and offered at a very affordable rate, so I don't go under making a name for them. They are more durable than the 6.5s and as durable as any shaft out there with few exceptions.

To date, the only complaints I've had with them are being out of stock and having the forward couple inches of wood grain wearing off from being extensively shot into excelsior, hay, or blob targets.

With free brass inserts and nock color choice, they are one of the best values in traditional or even non traditional arrows.. even cheaper than the GT blems! only better. BigJim

I agree with all the above. I have shot several other brands. The Dark Timbers are NOT an economy shaft. In that, they are not less in quality. I prefer them now over any GoldTip shaft made (Dark Timbers are a whole lot more consistent) and over the Eastons. As I buy replacement carbon arrows I just go with the Dark Timbers.

-Bones

Dark Timbers are also prettier imo

Dark Timbers are what I’m using. Like Jim said the finish can come off some near the point but only one I’ve broken was when I sent one off the edge of the target and sideways into a tree. That would’ve bent rebar;)

Yes, I like my Dark Timbers also. As far as finish coming off from practicing, don't care.

Dark Timbers would be my choice as well. Both me and my wife use them. She does bounce them off things like target frames and they have held up so far.

I just got some dark timbers last Friday. I glued in some 100 grain inserts and have shot them a few times. They're very good arrows.

GO! BIG JIM GO! Just wish that the Dark Timbers weren't dark!!! With my OLD EYES, I need to be able to see the arrows! Especially when I MISS! Arrows is too pretty and HEXPENSIVE to stay lost in the woods! Is there a chance that the SHAFT MAKERS will EVER make the TIMBERS, that look like regular Wooden CEDAR shafts??? Just a thought? GOOD HUNTING & BLESSED BE!

dark timbers

I love my Dark Timbers

The 6.5’s aren’t bad. The dark timbers aren’t either! If you want the length I think dark timbers may come longer. They also have the higher number spine available. What they both have that I like is the kind of standard 264 diameter inserts (except the 700 and 800s).

I think the dark timbers are going to have a higher GPI as well. So it totally depends what your goal for your set up is going to be.

So consider what you want for length and weight. Check the specs on both.

The dark timbers are awesome! I just got some this week. Wish I bought some a long time ago. While you're at it, pick up his hot melt glue. I like it better than ferr-l-tite

Very happy with Dark Timbers. I love the dark wood grain. No experience with the other 2.

Everyone I know that shoots Dark Timbers swears by them for durability and consistency.

I'm just confused as to why a LOT of shaft mfg people wanna go all DARK? Pretty sure that the eyesight of a deer does NOT encompass all the colors of the rainbow?

Others have light, I just wanted something different. I did a survey and the darker shafts won out convincingly. BigJim

I guess the main appeal of the victory arrows is that they are marked for the stiff side of the spine. I have noticed this is a big issue for some carbons and not such a big deal for others. How are the dark timbers for spine consistency across the shaft? I see they are more gpi than the victory arrows, which I assume means they are more robust.

Dark timbers are very consistent. BigJim

Just an FYI, if "toughness" is you're #1 priority and you don't mind retuning, by all means go for it. But when you also expect "spine consistency" it sounds as if you may already have one or more bows tuned to one of these or another make altogether. These do not appear to be all the same OD. That means if you switch, and you use most any kind of trad rest/side plate combination then the arrow will be closer to/further away from the riser (what everybody loosely refers to as "centershot". Dynamic spine could be affected. It may be one of those areas where "you can't have your cake and eat it too"! I'm not talking about consistency with respect of variability from shaft to shaft, but from "this arrow doesn't shoot to the same POI as my others of the same spine, length, point weight". If you're just setting one up from ground zero, it's a non-issue. And even if you switch, it's likely a simple fix with shaft length/ point weight or both adjustments. It just that many on here don't understand the nuances of tuning or just prefer to avoid it by unnecessary changes (count me in that one)!

I would get Dark Timbers without a doubt . They are heavie rper inch and undoubtably tougher and more durable . And another reason is I prefer patronizing & buying from a small business that has good prices and service whenever possible.

Just looking to get some new shafts to start building arrows with. I picked those 3 because I do like to support small archery business, either rocky mountain specialty gear or Big jim!

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here