Bill Skinner
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Well, look for a hardwood shoot your height or a little more for the finished dart. Base should no larger than about two fingers wide. And as straight as you can get it. And as few limbs as you can find.
Never used juniper or spruce, so I can't say how that will work, but I have used maple and willow. I usually use river cane, it grows wild here.
Strip the bark, use a small fire to straighten the shaft as much as possible. The more you fiddle with it, the better it will be. And lighter, as you will evaporate some of the water while heating and straightening. Then rub down the shaft with an animal or vegetable oil to keep the shaft from checking or cracking.
Once you get it straight, shave down the thick end. In theory, you want it the same diameter, in reality, the front will be thicker. That's OK, a little weight forward won't hurt. You will want the dart to balance towards the center but about 1/3 to 2/5ths from the point is OK.
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