Arrows for traditional bows come in an assortment of shapes, sizes and materials. With a long history of use by archers and still popular today, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste when selecting an arrow type that matches your bow type and shooting needs.
Wooden Arrows
There are various types of wooden arrows available, each with its own distinct look and feel. Every design has its advantages and drawbacks, while serving a specific purpose. Common varieties include recurve, compound, and hunting arrows.
They can be made from a range of materials, such as cedar and other hardwoods. Cedar is generally considered to be the ideal material for recurve arrows due to its less bend-prone nature compared to other wood types.
When it comes to quality, the shaft of an arrow is paramount. This area tends to break most often, so make sure your arrow has a sturdy shaft that won’t flex easily.
Carbon Arrows
Carbon arrows are one of the most sought-after types of arrows due to their stiffness and lightweight nature. Not only that, but these arrows also boast superior durability – making them ideal for hunting or competition use. Although these can be pricey, their benefits make them worth every penny spent.
Spine
The spine of an arrow is another essential factor when selecting quality. Spine measures how stiff the arrow is, so you want to ensure you get one with just the right amount of spine for optimal performance.
It’s essential to remember that the more spine an arrow has, the greater its tendency to wiggle when shot – a good indication of how much flexing it can withstand.
Feathers and Vanes
Arrow feathers play an integral role in flight stability, helping stabilize the arrow’s shaft. Depending on the type of arrow, feathers may be permanently attached or threaded onto its shaft or even woven directly into its structure.
Fletchings are another essential element in an arrow’s performance. They’re typically shaped into either a parabolic or shield cut, helping to prevent twisting during flight.
Fletchings can be securely attached to an arrow’s shaft with epoxy glue or by stitching them on with needle-eye stitching. In the past, stitched fletchings proved more challenging to remove than those attached with glue; however, recently a new type of adhesive has been developed which makes removal much faster and simpler.
Wraps
A wrap is a thin strip of pre-cut material used to bond vanes or feather fletchings onto an arrow shaft. They may be made out of vinyl, plastic, or other materials and add an aesthetic touch to the arrow. Archers who want personalize their arrows often opt for wraps as they help guarantee the vanes or fletchings remain on the shaft as long as possible.
