I have a nice recurve bow but have no idea what arrows to use or where to start. I asked asked at the archery shop I use but the kid there looked at me like I had a third eye on my forehead. They mainly do compounds not recurves. Can someone help. I would like to use it next bow season.

Where do I start? What type of arrows? Do I just put moleskin on the shelf for a rest?

Try posting this over in the traditional forum. The guys there will be a lot of help.

It really depends on your preference. I shoot aluminum, carbons, and hybrids.
As long as the arrow is long enough and will withstand the draw wieght, there should be no problems.
I myself lean more and more towards carbons. I do not use the ultra-light type of shafts though. They would fall into the med-heavy range. Somewhere around 8.8-10.5 grains per inch.
A decently sturdy arrow.
Has a flatter tragectory, but I hunt from the ground mainly, or in low branches in hedge rows.
I have still found no need for ultra-light shafts. You pick up a bit more speed, but I have never had poor penetration with any arrow regardless of the weight unless it was a bad shot.
Check the Trad archives for more info.
Or just go to Eastons website http://www.eastonarchery.com/ click on Products and go to Shaft Selection.
That will give you an idea of what you may want to start looking at. Same thing at the Beeman website.

I now use a compound but tourny & bowhunted with recurves for many years. Shot black bear, elk & many deer plus a couple wild hogs.
I preferred the Aluminum back then thou i did shoot a few animals with wood also. I shot 60 & 63 pound recurves for hunting & used a 2018s on Deer & On the wild hogs, Elk & Bears used 2216s 2 29" draw. The heavy shaft gives you the complete penetration & most of your shots are 25 yards & under. i never worry about shooting a slow arrow.
I still use heavy shafts for bigger animals with the compound.
I have a Buffalo hunt set up for next fall & will be shooting a 60 pound compound with a 2216 shaft & a 3 blade Rocky Mountain razor. heavy shaft will give me the penetration I need. If you just plan on deer hunting you could shoot a lighter shaft but I still prefer the heavy for penetration. good luck & enjoy.

I've gotten the 'thousand yard stare' at a couple of bow shops too.

I like wood arrows. That's what I started with, nigh on 50 years ago. I'll shoot them - at least whenever the fit hits me - till they put me in a box and throw dirt on me. I use aluminum arrows for serious shooting though, because they are straighter, much more consistant and a lot less trouble.

The only carbon arrows worth shooting have an aluminum core - ACC's or AC Kinetics.

I do not like fiberglass arrows either. They can get damaged internally and show no visible effect, but break when you shoot them.

Carbon/glass composite arrows... Now those are something. They're as durable as carbon, but straighter and more consistant. Not quite as consistant as aluminum or ACC's, but much better than wood or all-carbon. They have enough weight to keep the bow from rattling your teeth without having to add extra weight to the shaft. I'm shooting Carbon Express Terminator Selects but I've heard Grizzly Stiks from Alaska Bowhunting Supply are very good also.

I'd recommend going with aluminum or one of the carbon/glass composites. If you decide on aluminum, DO NOT use the standard Easton chart for your arrow size. Whoever worked up the recurve part of the chart should be hung by the gonads with his own bowstring. It recommends an arrow at least two spine classes too stiff. Use Easton's Legacy chart instead. It'll get you very close.

So, can I use the same arrows I use for my compound? I use Beemans 340 carbons. I also have some 2213 aluminum arrows. Will either of those work?

Thanks for the info. The easton legacy chart said to use 2018s. Thanks for your help.

Use Jacksons Archery Site. Click on the arrow shaft selection and then pick one of the "Traditional" buttons. Read the info at the beginning. These tables are calculated with 125 grain head. More or less head will(or may) of course change the selection.

http://home.att.net/~sajackson/archery.html

If the chart said you need 2018's, then the Beman 340's would be too stiff. The 2213's are in the same spine range as 2018 and should shoot for you. They're too light and delicate for my tastes tho...