The Different Parts of an Arrow and What They Mean
An arrow is a simple tool that can be used for hunting, protection, or sport. Though it is a simple object, the different parts of an arrow have specific purposes that must be understood to use the arrow effectively. In this blog post, we will discuss the different parts of an arrow and what they mean.
I. The Arrow Shaft
The arrow shaft is the backbone of an arrow—traditionally composed of wood, but now available in fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum, and combinations thereof. If you are a traditional archery hunter, wooden hunting arrows may be your go-to choice; however, if you use a compound bow with cams and cables to increase speed and power, then lightweight metal or carbon arrows should become your weapon of choice.
As you shop for the perfect arrow shaft, there’s one important attribute to consider: the arrow spine. It is a measure of an arrow’s flexibility and influences accuracy when shooting. To determine which spine rating best fits your hunting set-up, look at three numbers: draw weight, length of the shaft, and tip weight.
Furthermore, keep in mind that the type of material used in making your arrows will largely depend on what kind of bow you use for shooting them! With all this knowledge combined with careful consideration during shopping time – you are sure to find an ideal fit for optimal success out in the field.
II. The Insert
Inserts are what make the arrow point attach to arrow shafts. They should be glued inside the cut-to-length arrows, and feature threads that screw into the tip of an arrow for a secure fit. Most inserts have a visible lip on one end which abuts against the end of an arrow shaft while others like Easton’s Full Metal Jacket possess hidden insert technology (HIT).
Hidden Insert Technology (HIT) inserts are completely concealed within the shaft, creating a seamless look. Not all arrows use inserts; wooden arrows in particular do not require them since their point simply slides onto the wood shaft. This is why some resources will discuss only four parts of an arrow—those that don’t utilize HIT technology.
III. The Arrow Fletching Or Vanes
Related: How To Fletch Arrow
Arrow fletching or vanes give the arrow a spin as it flies through the air, similar to that of a football. This creates stability and accuracy while preserving its speed. Without this feature, an arrow would veer off course after only around 10 yards without any precision at all! To ensure the best results, arrows are usually outfitted with three or more vanes-three being the most popular standard. These components can be made from various materials such as feathers and plastic for maximum performance potential in flight.
Feathers
Feathers are the classic fletching material in archery history, and many traditional bowhunters prefer them for their recurve bows or longbows. This is not only due to nostalgia but also because of how effective they can be!
If you’re not using an elevated rest, then feathers are the way to go. Feathers lie flat against your bow so arrows won’t be slowed down when shooting with a recurve bow. Rigid plastic vanes can get knocked off course if they come into contact with your hand or riser, resulting in inaccurate shots, but this isn’t a concern for those who opt for fletching made of feather material. An elevated arrow rest will still ensure that any fletches clear the riser, though it’s something that won’t need worrying about if you choose feathers!
Turkey pointer feathers are the preferred material for traditional fletching, due to their shape and size. This is great news for turkey hunters! However, wet weather can cause feather fletches to become distorted – making them less effective in these conditions. To address this issue, most bowhunters now use plastic fletching instead. Let’s dive deeper and explore this revolutionary concept!
Plastic
Plastic fletches, more commonly referred to as vanes, are usually made of soft plastic or vinyl. There is a wide range of sizes and colors available ranging from rigid to flexible profiles. Plastic has become the most popular choice for modern hunting arrows due to its versatility; it can be used with aluminum, wood, or carbon arrow shafts. Parabolic cut and shield cut are two main shapes that can be found when looking at these types of vanes.
Blazer Vanes
Blazer vanes have become the go-to choice for compound bow hunting, and it’s easy to understand why. With their shorter length and high profile design, blazer vanes correct arrows more quickly than parabolic or shield cut options – a major plus when you’re out in unpredictable conditions or trying to mitigate air drag on broadheads.
Blazer vanes are primarily used on carbon hunting arrows, providing an additional layer of accuracy that makes them ideal for those looking to take their archery game up a notch.
IV. The Nock
Nocks, which compose the last 3/4 inch of an arrow’s back end and showcase a slotted plastic tip, are essential for connecting arrows to the bowstring with optimal tension. If they don’t fit correctly in the throat – either too tightly or too loosely – it will drastically reduce accuracy and may even cause dry firing due to your arrow slipping off altogether. Nock installation is a critical step when preparing your archery equipment so that you can hit targets accurately each time!
When setting up your bowstring, make sure the notch, also known as the mouth and throat, is oriented so that one of your odd fletch or cock feathers points upwards when you nock an arrow. It’s easy enough to adjust push-in style nocks with pliers or a multi-tool; however, unfortunately, glue-on style ones cannot be changed. As such, it’s essential to ensure you attach the feathers correctly from the start!
In the past few years, lighted nocks have become a widely-preferred choice amongst modern hunting arrows, made to make it easier for you to find your arrow after shooting—particularly if you’re in dense brush. Nocks are divided into two fundamental styles: regular and illuminated ones.
Regular Arrow Nocks
When it comes to arrow nocks, you have plenty of options. You can choose from a selection of plastic, wood, and even bone varieties in multiple colors—all easily pushed into the back end of your arrows. Traditional archers might want to opt for glue-on nocks made especially fort wooden or bamboo arrows which require strong adhesives like epoxy for attachment. Regardless of whatever type you select, make sure they are suitable for both your bowstring diameter and shaft so that any noise emanating from the string is minimized!
In most cases, arrows come with nocks pre-installed. However, if you find that your arrows don’t fit properly or need replacements from an archery shop instead. If the existing nocks don’t have a snug fit then consider readjusting the serving size of the string for better accuracy and performance. For all compound bow users out there who use a release aid to fire their arrows we suggest attaching a D-loop on your bowstring as this will help prevent damage to the nock itself upon releasing it from your weapon!
Lighted Arrow Nocks
Lighted arrow nocks have become a go-to for bowhunters, and it’s easy to see why – not only do they look stunning in motion, but their advantageous design makes them exceptionally helpful when locating your arrows after the shot. Of course, if you shoot into dense foliage such as blackberry or salal bushes then no amount of illumination will help you!
But usually lighted nocks such as Lumenok provide more than enough visibility so that finding your arrows becomes an effortless task. Moreover, with replaceable batteries, these kinds of high-visibility models are designed to last much longer than traditional designs like Nockturnal which require complete replacements upon burnout.
V. The Arrow Point
The arrow point is the business end of an arrow and features a variety of properties based on what you’re hunting. It’s worth noting that each type of arrow point will fly differently from one another, with field points and broadheads often demonstrating the greatest difference when being shot at long-range distances. Before modern bow sights, it was customary for hunters to use the shape and design of their arrow points as a method for aiming accurately toward their target.
Whether you need points for target practice or small game hunting, arrow tips are available in a wide variety of weights and styles. Most tips conveniently screw into the shaft. To help you find the right one for your needs, here is an overview of five main types!
Field Points
Hunters, including myself, have utilized field points for capturing small games. However, these specialized tips are mostly designed for target practice. You will find some that take the shape of a small-caliber bullet but others may be more contoured in design. Yet no matter their slight variation in appearance, field points remain exceptionally aerodynamic due to the absence of protruding blades; thus making it easier to remove arrows from targets and preventing them from penetrating those not equipped with sharp broadheads.
Broadheads
When hunting something larger than a grouse or cottontail, broadheads are the ideal arrow tip. Available in two, three, and four-blade configurations with various cutting diameters, they can be tailored to match recurve bows, compound bows, and crossbows alike – all ranging from 100-grain to 125-grain weights. Broadhead styles include both fixed blade and mechanical types for superior accuracy every time.
Fixed-Blade Broadheads
Fixed-blade broadheads have blades that remain in one position and come available as either a single piece or with removable blades. The unibody form is particularly resilient; it will slice through muscle mass and wallop ribs without getting distorted or harmed. Despite their strength, however, single-piece heads need frequent sharpening to stay efficient.
The hunter has to attach the razor-sharp blades on the ferrule and lock them firmly with a collar, but once they are securely in place, they won’t move. These broadheads make life much simpler; you don’t need to sharpen them when their edges become dulled – just replace them instead!
Fixed-blade broadheads are the most dependable type of broadhead for deer hunting. With that being said, they should be used when taking on larger game such as moose, buffalo, and even grizzly bear – this will help minimize wounding or losing an animal.
Elk can also be hunted with fixed blades; however, mechanical heads have been known to work just fine too! From my personal experience, I know that these types of heads prove extremely successful in taking down elks.
In general terms, fixed blades usually have a cutting diameter between 1 ¼” – 1 ½” range making them great options for big game hunts.
Mechanical Broadheads
Mechanical broadheads have been considerably improved since their invention, although some still do not trust them completely. However, the benefits of using mechanical broadheads are hard to ignore; they don’t require tuning like fixed-blade arrows and automatically spring open on impact due to blades that fold inwards within the ferrule.
With this revolutionary feature, mechanicals are just as accurate and precise as your field points. You don’t have to waste time on the range adjusting or updating your arrows- it’s already taken care of for you! Furthermore, these broadheads boast a large cutting diameter of up to 2 3/8 inches which leaves bigger blood trails that will be easier to track down during hunting season.
Blunt Points
Blunt arrow points are designed to be used when hunting small animals such as rabbits, grouse, and squirrels. Blunt points are a one-of-a-kind arrowhead that has the potential to hunt small games with efficiency. These cylindrical or flared features can be crafted from rubber, plastic, or steel and weigh 100 grains, 125 grains, and 145 grains respectively. Instead of causing severe blood loss like broadheads do when used for hunting purposes due to their sharpness; blunt points work by producing shock waves at impact. Depending on the type of arrows you use in your hunts – screwing them into place as well as gluing them on or sliding them over will all get the job done!
Judo Points
Judo points, comparable to blunt points, can be employed for small game hunting or target shooting. A major advantage of using judo arrow points is the presence of tiny wire springs connected to them. These wires act as a kind of hook that latch onto grass and foliage so your shot won’t disappear into the wild after being fired; additionally, they prohibit arrows from penetrating trees too deeply. Judo points screw in like field points or broadheads and are usually 100-grain or 125-grain weights each time you buy one.
Fish Points
Constructed from durable steel and with a powerful barb, fish points are engineered to puncture and then secure the fish while you reel it in. Entry-level models feature an unscrewable tip that allows you to remove the barbs and release your catch. Advanced styles have tips that can be rotated counterclockwise which will cause the barbs to flatten, allowing for easy removal of the arrow from your quarry. Consider investing in higher-grade fishing points if you plan on bow fishing waters riddled with rocks, stumps, or any other hard surface areas!
Final Thoughts
Assembling the perfect arrow is no easy feat. From arrow nocks to tips, wood or aluminum shafts, lighted nocks, and feather fletchings – there’s a great deal of choice available for bowhunters. However, it is essential that your arrows are correctly assembled and tuned for your particular bow set-up to make those ethical shots on the game cleanly each time you shoot. We hope this guide has provided insight into the five parts of an arrow!
