HUNTINGsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Bows and arrows are designed with each other in mind. For this reason, they should pair up. If the arrow you use is the wrong size or type for your bow, it will fly erratically when fired. If you aren’t sure what arrows you need, ask a pro.

Shaft:

This is the main section of the arrow between the nock (end) and the point (tip). Traditional arrow shafts were made of wood. Modern arrow shafts are more commonly made from carbon and aluminum alloys.

Fletching:

These are the plastic ‘feathers’ or vanes on your arrow. Fletching stabilizes the flight of the arrow and causes it to spiral like a bullet fired from a rifle. There are usually three feathers or vanes on the arrow. One will be a different color from the rest and is called the ‘cock’, the others are referred to as the ‘hens’.

Nock:

Located on the end of an arrow shaft, the nock is the small plastic or aluminum attachment point where you insert the bowstring. The bowstring will remain in the nock until you release the string.

Spine:

The ‘spine’ of an arrow is the rigidity of the arrow shaft. Too stiff a spine means there is not enough flex. Not stiff enough means that there is too much flex. To find the right arrow spine for your bow you need to know your bow's draw weight in pounds and your arrow length.

Arrowhead:

The tip of an arrow is designed to balance it, to protect the front end of the shaft and to penetrate the target. There are a variety of arrowhead styles available, each with it’s own purpose and advantages.