What Am I Up To Lately?

"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54) 06/11/2015 at 14:25 • Filed to: archerylopnik

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Between a bunch of routine life emergencies for myself and my girlfriend, we’ve also been cranking out 2.5 dozen new arrows for myself before an SCA event in western MA this weekend. Here I’m in the process of fletching, also known as gluing on the feathers that keep the arrow going straight and give it a slight spin for stability, sort of like a rifle bullet, except arrows came first. Anyway, they’re all done now, and I’m looking forward to trying them out.

I’ve also been trying to sell my Honda PC800 with no success, so I at least went and got it inspected so I can keep riding it. Not that I’ve had much chance to, since every major road between home and work has been torn up for Jeeps and Hummers only, bikes and BRZs need not apply construction. Not much car stuff lately, but I’m doing another Track Night at Thompson Speedway at the end of June, and then two days at Palmer with Chin Motorsports in July, which I’m really looking forward to.

I’ve had some ideas for articles, but no time to write much more than snarky comments and tweets lately. But you’re not rid of me on Oppo yet.

Party-vi > Justin Hughes 06/11/2015 at 14:30

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Neato! Another archery person!

/USAArchery Trainer

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Justin Hughes 06/11/2015 at 14:35

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Never knew anyone to make their own arrows. Is there an advantage to a DIY arrow, or is it more of a sense of accomplishment than anything?

Alfalfa Romeo > Justin Hughes 06/11/2015 at 14:35

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I used to do archery, but it’s kind of fallen by the wayside. But there are very good chances of me working for Easton/Hoyt soon, so I may get back into it if that happens.

Justin Hughes > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! 06/11/2015 at 14:43

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It’s for many of the same reasons as DIY work on your own car - the sense of accomplishment, knowing how it’s done, and being able to make your own repairs. In addition to the new arrows I rehabbed a couple of old ones. One of them was lost in a friend’s yard where we shoot for a couple of months. It was dirty, bent, and the fletching was gone, but we were able to clean, straighten, and re-fletch it, and now it’s usable again.

Also, learning is a big thing in the SCA (medieval re-enactment). I could just go buy a set of arrows, but since archery is my main martial activity I learned how to make my own. I also made my own leather back quiver, though I’m not a craftsman and have no knack or talent for leatherworking.

Justin Hughes > Alfalfa Romeo 06/11/2015 at 14:44

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Nice! I shoot a 1963 vintage Hoyt Pro Medalist.