Chapter 4: Know Your Bow and Arrow
The Arrow

A modern arrow can be described as the delivery system for the arrow’s point. Arrows have four parts: the shaft, fletching, the nock, and the arrow points.

The Shaft The body of an arrow is called the shaft. Arrow shafts are made from wood, aluminum, carbon-fiber, fiberglass, or a combination of aluminum and carbon-fiber. Wood These arrow shafts often are made from cedar, pine, or spruce. Finished arrows are fletched with feathers, tipped with glue-on target or hunting points, and sometimes brightly painted (referred to as “dipped and crested”) in matched dozens. Wooden arrows are preferred by many archers who shoot a traditional recurve bow or longbow. Tubular Aluminum This is one of the most popular shafts used by today’s active target archer and bowhunter. Made from specially formulated alloys, these shafts are shaped into a wide variety of sizes, colors, and spines for virtually every need. Resistant to bending, the hollow shafts are lightweight and can be manufactured to close specifications. Most aluminum shafts are equipped with internal bushings, called inserts, that can accept screw-in points. These shafts may be fletched with feathers or plastic vanes, depending on the archer’s personal preference.

Arrow Parts

Tubular Carbon-Fiber

• Fast and accurate, this design represents the leading edge of modern arrow shaft technology.
• This shaft is extremely strong and lightweight with a small diameter, thus reducing drag and increasing arrow speed.
• Smaller in diameter than other arrow shafts, it utilizes a special adapter that accepts screw-in points.
• Carbon-fiber shafts may be fletched with feathers or plastic vanes, depending on the archer’s personal preference.

Tubular Fiberglass

• Inexpensive and durable, these shafts possess adequate straightness for non-hunting archery shooting fun.
• They are good for beginning archers, clubs, schools, and low-poundage equipment.

Solid Fiberglass

• Commonly used in bowfishing, these shafts are extremely durable, heavy, and deep-penetrating for shooting carp, gar, and other rough fish.
• Attached to a bowfishing reel by high-strength line, the bowfishing reel is mounted on the bow near the sight window.
• These shafts usually are fletched with a “slip-on” style of plastic fletching because of their exposure to water.