OSRS Fletching Arrow Shafts: A Complete Guide to Leveling and Profit

OSRS Fletching Arrow Shafts: A Complete Guide to Leveling and Profit


Fletching in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the fastest skills to train, and arrow shafts are a foundational part of that journey. Whether you’re a new player looking to kickstart your fletching experience or a seasoned adventurer aiming to optimize your grind, fletching arrow shafts offers a simple, accessible, and sometimes profitable method. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into everything you need to know about fletching arrow shafts in OSRS, from the basics to advanced strategies, ensuring you can level up efficiently while keeping your coin pouch in mind.

Arrow shafts are the backbone of arrow-making in OSRS, a key component for creating ammunition used in the Ranged skill. Fletching them is one of the earliest methods available, starting at level 1, making it an ideal entry point for beginners. But why focus on arrow shafts? They’re quick to produce, require minimal resources, and can set you up for further fletching projects like headless arrows or full arrows. Plus, with the right approach, you can even turn a profit.

The Basics of Arrow Shafts

To fletch arrow shafts, you need two things: a knife and logs. Using a knife on a log yields a set number of arrow shafts, depending on the log type. Regular logs, available from standard trees, are the most common starting point, producing 15 arrow shafts per log and granting 5 XP per action (0.33 XP per shaft). As you progress, higher-tier logs like oak, willow, or maple yield more shafts per log, scaling up your efficiency.

Experience and Accessibility

Fletching arrow shafts is a low-barrier method. You don’t need quests, high levels, or expensive gear—just a knife (buyable for a few coins) and logs, which you can chop yourself or purchase from the Grand Exchange. At 5 XP per log, it’s not the fastest XP in the game, but it’s a solid way to get from level 1 to 5 or beyond if you’re on a budget or playing an Ironman account.

How to Fletch Arrow Shafts Efficiently

OSRS Fletching Skill Pet Grind 247 YouTube

Efficiency is key in OSRS, especially if you’re aiming for 99 Fletching or just want to breeze through the early levels. Here’s how to make the most of fletching arrow shafts without wasting time or gold.

Gathering Materials

You’ve got two main options for logs:

  • Woodcutting: Chop your own logs using the Woodcutting skill. Regular trees are everywhere—Lumbridge, Varrock, Draynor Village—and require only level 1 Woodcutting. This is free but slower.
  • Grand Exchange: Buy logs in bulk. Regular logs cost around 50-100 GP each (prices fluctuate), making this faster but pricier.

Knives are dirt cheap (around 50 GP) and available from general stores or the GE. Stock up on a few to avoid banking trips.

Fletching Process

Here’s the step-by-step:

  1. Equip a knife or have it in your inventory.
  2. Click the knife, then a log (or vice versa) to open the fletching interface.
  3. Select “Arrow Shafts” and choose to make 10 sets (the max per action).
  4. Wait as your character fletches 150 shafts per inventory (with 10 logs).

Each action takes about 3 ticks (1.8 seconds), so a full inventory of 27 logs takes roughly 48.6 seconds to process, yielding 135 XP.

Scaling with Log Types

As your Woodcutting and Fletching levels rise, you can use better logs. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Log Type Woodcutting Level Shafts per Log XP per Log
Regular 1 15 5
Oak 15 30 10
Willow 30 45 15
Maple 45 60 20

Higher-tier logs increase shafts per action but keep the XP per log low compared to other methods like bows or darts. Stick to regular logs unless you’re stockpiling shafts for later.

Leveling with Arrow Shafts: Early Game Strategy

Fletching arrow shafts shines in the early levels (1-15). It’s cheap, simple, and pairs well with other low-level training. Let’s map out a plan to get you started.

Level 1-5: The Starting Point

To reach level 5, you need 83 XP. Fletching arrow shafts from regular logs gives 5 XP per log, so:

  • Logs Needed: 17 (rounded up from 16.6)
  • Shafts Produced: 255
  • Time: ~30 seconds with a full inventory

This is lightning-fast and costs next to nothing if you chop the logs yourself. Buy them, and it’s still under 2,000 GP.

Level 5-15: Building Momentum

From level 5 to 15 requires 249 more XP (332 total from 0). That’s 50 logs, producing 750 shafts. At this point, you could stop at level 5 and switch to shortbows (10 XP per log), but arrow shafts remain viable if you’re prepping for headless arrows later.

Beyond Level 15

After level 15, XP rates slow compared to alternatives like headless arrows (1 XP per arrow) or bronze arrows (3.5 XP per arrow). However, arrow shafts stay relevant for Ironmen or players banking resources for future arrow-making.

Profit Potential of Fletching Arrow Shafts

Can you make money fletching arrow shafts? It’s not a goldmine, but with the right strategy, you can break even or profit slightly, especially when paired with headless arrows.

Selling Arrow Shafts

Arrow shafts sell for 1-2 GP each on the GE. With regular logs at 50-100 GP and producing 15 shafts (15-30 GP worth), you’re often losing money selling raw shafts. The real profit comes later.

Headless Arrows: The Money-Maker

Combine arrow shafts with feathers (2-3 GP each) to make headless arrows, which sell for 5-10 GP each. Here’s the math for 1 log’s worth:

  • Cost: 50 GP (log) + 45 GP (15 feathers) = 95 GP
  • Revenue: 15 headless arrows x 7 GP = 105 GP
  • Profit: 10 GP per log

Scale this up: 1,000 logs yield 15,000 headless arrows, netting ~10,000 GP profit and 15,000 XP. It’s slow but steady, perfect for AFK training.

Ironman Considerations

For Ironmen, profit isn’t the goal—resource banking is. Fletch arrow shafts while woodcutting, then save them for headless arrows or full arrows later. Feathers from chickens or birdhouse runs pair perfectly.

Tips and Tricks for Mastering Arrow Shafts

Ready to optimize your arrow shaft game? These tips will save you time, gold, and effort.

AFK Training

Fletching arrow shafts is semi-AFK. Each inventory takes ~48 seconds, so you can multitask—watch a show, chat in-game, or plan your next move. Pair it with woodcutting for zero-time training.

Shop Buying for Speed

For faster shafts, buy them directly from Dargaud’s Bow and Arrow shop in the Ranging Guild (requires 40 Ranged). They cost 1 GP each, restock quickly, and stack, letting you skip logs entirely. Add feathers, and you’re at headless arrows in no time.

Quest Boosts

Skip early levels with quests like Animal Magnetism (2,000 XP) or Big Chompy Bird Hunting (262 XP). Combined, they can jump you to level 10+, reducing your arrow shaft grind.

Long-Term Planning

Stockpile shafts for higher-level arrow-making (e.g., steel or mithril arrows). They’re stackable, so banking thousands now pays off when you’re ready to craft profitable ammo.

Fletching arrow shafts in OSRS might seem basic, but it’s a versatile method that fits any playstyle—beginner, profit-seeker, or Ironman. Start with logs and a knife, scale up to headless arrows, and watch your Fletching level soar. By April 04, 2025, prices may shift, but the core strategy remains: keep it simple, efficient, and tailored to your goals. Happy fletching!