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Arrows can be made from wood, fibreglass, aluminium and carbon
graphite.
Aluminium arrows are made from extruded tubing to exact diameter and thickness. Each arrow
is marked with a number e.g. 2013 which means the arrow is 20/64th inch (7.94mm) diameter
and 13/1000th inch (0.33mm) thick wall. The arrows are made 760mm long (30 inches) and
have to be cut with a cutting tool to the draw length to suit each person.
The arrow maker 'Easton' produces a chart which matches the size of the arrow to the draw
length and draw weight of the bow. The arrow will bend a certain amount as it is fired and
this amount of bend is critical for correct flight and clearance from the bow.
It is very important that the arrows are 'matched' to the archer and their
bow. |
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Nocks are made from rigid plastic and are glued to
the rear of the arrow. The top row shown in the picture are used for aluminium arrows.
Nocks come in 6 different sizes to suit the range of diameters of arrows. The nocks are
shaped so that they will clip onto the bowstring and hold the arrow in place.
The other nocks shown are specifically for 'Beman' carbon arrows and 'Easton A/C/E'
carbon/aluminium arrows. |
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Fletches are made from soft plastic in various shapes
and sizes as shown.
Feather fletches can be used, but are not as durable as the plastic fletches.
Usually three fletches are glued to the arrow shaft near the rear of the arrow. They are
usually angled to make the arrow spin as it fly's, to give a more stable, straighter
flight. The orientation of the fletches in relation to the nock must suit the type of
arrow rest used. The bottom two diagrams show the rear view of the arrow.
The view on the left shows the fletch positions for a 'shoot-around' arrow rest used on
recurve bows and on compound bows that are shot using fingers.
The view on the right shows the fletch positions for a 'launcher' arrow rest used on
compound bows that are shot using a 'release aid'. |
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The types of arrow points used for target archery are
shown. The top three are used for aluminium arrows. The 7% Bullet Point will give the
arrow approx. 7% front of centre balance and the 9% Bullet Point will give 9% f.o.c.
balance.
The other point assembly's are for carbon arrows.
The points and inserts come in various weights, so the amount f.o.c. balance can be very
accurately controlled.
The reason why this is important is that any small variation in weight, can dramatically
effect the amount of bend in the arrow as it is released and the overall arrow speed. |
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Basic Archery Accessories
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Arm Guards are reinforced leather or plastic
protective guards that are worn on the inside of the bow arm.
They are worn to protect the arm from the bowstring as it moves forward after the release. |
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Finger Tabs are used to protect the fingers as they
release the bowstring and also provide a smooth surface for the bowstring to slide on.
Most finger tabs are made from leather with some having multiple layers of material for
extra protection.
Other types of finger tabs can have attachments as shown in the picture, to help keep the
fingers apart and anchor under the jaw.
The size of finger tab should not be any longer than the finger tips. |
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A 'Ground Quiver' made from steel rod is spiked into
the ground to hold the bow and arrows.
A 'Belt Quiver' and 'Holster Belt Quiver' hold the arrows and, if fitted with a pocket,
can hold spare nocks, fletches, tube of glue, etc. |
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A Chest Guard is used to prevent injury to the breast
of women archers. The prolonged repetition of pressure from the bowstring can lead to the
formation of a lump within the fatty tissue, which is clinically difficult to tell apart
from cancer tissue without a biopsy.
They are also used for the purpose of keeping loose clothing from interfering
with the
bowstring, especially if wearing clothing for colder or wet weather.
The chest guard is made from a nylon or plastic open mesh material held around the chest
with an elastic strap. |
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Release Aids are mechanical hand held triggers used
instead of a finger tab. They can only be used with a compound bow in accordance with the
archery shooting rules.
They use 'jaws' or a loop of string to hold the bowstring and release the bowstring by
depressing the trigger.
There are many different types of release aids. The basic types as shown in the picture
are:-
The 'chonco' type which is held in the hand and triggered with the index finger.
The 'Finger' type which is held in the fingers and triggered with the thumb or little
finger.
The 'Wrist' type which wraps around the wrist and triggered with the index finger. |
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A 'Bow Sling' is an adjustable leather strap attached
to the bow.
The sling should fit loosely over the hand.
The purpose of the bow sling is to allow the archer to relax the fingers of the bow hand
and not have to hold the bow to stop it falling out of the hand on release.
The 'Wrist Strap' does the same job, but is attached to the wrist and a loop is placed
around the bow and clipped to the loop around the wrist.
The 'Finger Sling' can be a strap of leather or a length of string with a loop at each
end. It is attached between the index finger and thumb with the bow loosely held in the
hand. |
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Foot Markers are placed in the ground to mark the
position of the front of each foot on the shooting line.
They help the archer maintain a consistent stance position.
Golf tees can be used as good foot markers. |
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Author : Graeme Jeffrey
Copyright © Centenary Archers Club 1999-2008
This page last revised :
17 March 2006 |
