2117's I think are going to be stiff, just a tad but still stiff non the less. Leave them long if you go with them and chop down till you get good arra flight, I'd bet you'd have to leave them almost full length to get one to fly perfect for ya!

As for woods vs alums vs carbons, heck I would tell you carbons man! I am a wood guy all the way but first off, you get GREAT arrow flight from them and only have a few choices depending on what shaft you go with. They are now cheaper then some sets of alums, going to last longer then all wood or alum, but are ugly as sin <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>.

You need to work on perfecting yourself as a shooter and shooting possible mis matched or wrong spined arrows will do nothing to boost your confidence OR your shooting ablility! That said a good set of woods will shoot right alongside alums or carbons but the time, effort, and cost to get them might not be worth the adventure till you are further down the road! Right now you need positive reinforcement and consitent input and not have your equipment possibly failing you at ever drop of the string! Alums or carbons are fine, I find carbons a little light for my liking! The other nice thing about carbons or alums is you can go ANYWHERE in the WORLD and a 2117 is a 2117 is a 2117. You know your arrow is Xinches long (whatever it comes out FOR YOU) and that will never change! You need to learn to tune your bow, and perfect the shooting style in which you choose before adding more factors to the equation.......That is just my opinion however and I am sure I will be tarred and feathered for it...just make it quick as I am going duck hunting in the morning and atleast leave my trigger finger alone <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>!

Don't neglect to try a 2018 and 2020 shaft. I really like the 2020 shaft because they are so durable and heavy. The 2020 should just about spine right for you too.

Josh, THat is what I am thinking, the 2020 comes in at 74lbs about perfect, the 2018 at 69lbs I think is going to be a little light.

I would go on what LBR and RRA suggested. Both are very familiar with your selected bow and there is nothing better than a stick shooting a stick. I have to assume you as well as many of us turned from wheel bows to get back to basics and make archery fun again. Quality tapered cedar shafts shot from a longbow was exactly the formula for me to get back to enjoying shooting a bow again.

You have an excellent longbow coming.....might as well use excellent tapered cedar arrows as well. RRA cedar shafts are as good as cedar gets and you will find their straightness and specs on par with aluminum or carbon.

Not knowing what your compound draw length was....expect to loose 1.5-2&quot; in draw length shooting your longbow. Take it from one who was so hardheaded that I wasted a year of shooting time trying to shoot a longbow the same as a compound. I was frustrated and aggravated until I gave in to a slight bend of the elbow, canting the bow, and palming the grip. Now, I am consistant and a happy camper and I wouldn't go back to wheels or curves if they paid me.

Hope this helps and avoids some of the aggravation one can face during the transition. Enjoy the ride!