Carbon Shafts for Archery Arrows

The shaft or stem is one of the most important parts of the arrow. In archery, we encounter different types of materials used to manufacture this tool. Wood, carbon, aluminum, aluminum-carbon combinations, each with its advantages and disadvantages. However, in today’s post, we will focus on Carbon Shafts.
Pure carbon shafts are the ones that adapt best to long distances. They are solid and non-deformable, lighter than aluminum shafts, and have a smaller diameter. They provide better results on the target than aluminum arrows. One of the advantages of this material, which almost all archers agree on, are the following:

• Stiffer shafts that flex less than aluminum, which means they use less energy during flight and allow for more precision. This also allows for the use of smaller diameters.
• Due to new manufacturing techniques, current carbon shafts, when they break, do not leave carbon splinters.
• They last significantly longer than any other type of arrow.
• They are more tolerant in their “spin,” so the same arrow can be shot from bows of different draw weights with precision.

The best carbon fiber is called High-modulus, which consists of microfibers with great control during their manufacturing, ensuring that each fiber is identical in two important factors: its gauge or diameter, and its length. Both data points determine that the fibers will work equally when bonded together.
Carbon shafts are made from layers of multidirectional carbon fibers bonded with adhesives. The greater flexibility of carbon as a material makes the shafts more resistant.

Today, we can find a large number of manufacturers of these types of shafts, some of which are more commonly used in the market for archery or bow hunting. This material is also used by various manufacturers in industries such as shipbuilding, aerospace, and all kinds of sporting equipment, including tennis, skiing, sailing, and rowing, among others. However, we must not forget that the characteristics of a shaft for arrows are very specific and must include a series of requirements that only brands designed specifically for this purpose can offer. We have specialist brands in pure carbon shafts that are delivering great results, such as Victory Archery, Easton, or Beman.

Carbon arrows were first developed in the 1980s, creating considerable controversy among specialists in sport archery and hunting. The first carbon shafts were made of fibers arranged longitudinally and bonded with epoxy resins. When used for hunting, one of the problems was the breaking of the arrow upon impact with bone, causing the fibers to come loose like needles. Carbon is toxic and non-biodegradable, so there was a risk that the meat could become contaminated with carbon splinters, which posed a danger when consumed. This forced hunters to discard the meat or at least remove the contaminated part.

Slowly, technology evolved, and with the development of new carbon arrows with interwoven fibers in meshes, that problem disappeared. Today, most hunters use carbon arrows because their performance and durability are much better.

For professional archers, this type of arrow has made its way into the quivers of many archery teams. These arrows are very strong and durable. Unlike aluminum or fiberglass arrows, carbon fiber arrows have the ability to retain their straight shape, while still being highly flexible. Unfortunately, carbon fiber arrows are also more expensive, making them a challenge for serious enthusiasts and sports shooters.