Proface

When purchasing arrows or arrow shafts it is important for you to know some specifics about fiberglass shafts and how they will perform when compared to other materials. Whether you plan to use them for target practice or hunting, fiberglass arrow shafts are generally less expensive, safer to use, more durable and visible at a distance than most other materials used for arrow shafts. Other materials used to make arrow shafts are wood, carbon or aluminum, although fiberglass tends to be the most common.

One of the key benefits of fiberglass is its outstanding durability. Fiberglass shafts can often last through thousands of shots with no visible degeneration. Not prone to breakage, it takes extreme pressure to even bend fiberglass, and fiberglass arrow shafts can sustain a bend up to 90 degrees. The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) reports that a fiberglass arrow shaft would require the force of a 250-pound man standing on it in order to break the shaft cleanly. The SCA is very exact about their testing and they will expose archery equipment to conditions and stress that will probably never be met by the average archer.

Fiberglass arrow shafts tend to be quite cost efficient due to their durability. While the average price for a fiberglass shaft is $3.00-$5.00, their life expectancy is dramatically longer than wood or aluminum. Wood shafts have a lower starting price, at $2, but can run as high as $7 per item and they are more likely to break with normal usage. Aluminum arrow shafts cost about $3 to $10 and are more durable than wood but far less durable than fiberglass. High quality carbon shafts cost up to $30 each and are nearly indestructible.

Regardless of the material used for construction, arrow shafts have the potential to break or splinter, creating a safety hazard. Aluminum shafts tend break apart into chunks, causing pieces of shaft to fly off in all directions. Fiberglass shafts splinter in a manner similar to wood shafts, but they are less likely to injure archers when they break. Also, fiberglass shafts are far less likely to splinter than wooden ones. One trick to improve strength and prevent splintering is to tape the shafts prior to use.

Most commercial arrows come with colored or multicolored fiberglass shafts. Bright colors can improve arrow visibility when used in dim conditions or when used for hunting or fishing. Bright colors are often used so that archers do not lose them during shooting. The bright colors are also helpful for identifying individual arrows during competition.

Your choice of material for the shaft of your arrows will be determined by your needs and budget. Fiberglass has been a proven winner for archers looking for the best value and performance when they are purchasing archery supplies.