Just started shooting traditional and sold my compound last week. I was shooting 2514's and ICS's. I always leaned toward aluminum. The advice given to me was to start with alum and transition into wood. Sounds like good advice, as I've shot several of my arrows into trees and fences and rocks. Would have probably destroyed a wood arrow. I plan to try and switch to wood after 6 months or so of shooting. Starting with carbons may not be bad as they are pretty tough. The KE of a trad bow insn't the same as a compound so an errant shot probably wouldn't hurt them much. Good luck. I use my busted arrows to hold up tomatoes and stuff in the garden.