Arrow Length

All stock Arrows are 28" unless otherwise stated.

Target quality arrows are available in longer lengths to order.

If you do not know what length of shaft you need speak to us at an event at a time convenient for you.

Arrows longer than your bows designed draw length will result in your bow being overdrawn leading to possible failure if the arrow is drawn full-length.

Arrows shorter than your draw length may fall of the arrow rest when you draw them.

The length of the shaft is measured from the nock to where the arrowhead starts,

Practice Arrows

Practice Arrows are unspined and unweighed.

Not being matched they will shoot larger groups on the target.

Archers wanting Arrows suitable for use from our better quality or more powerful bows are directed towards our Ash, Ash Target, Recurve or Custom Made Arrows.

Target Quality Arrows

Target Quality Arrows have matched spine and matched weight. i.e. The arrows will bend consistently and will weigh the same within tolerances. At the typical ranges, used by reenactors, the arrows will appear to all shoot the same.

If you have been shooting mass produced arrows and wondering why you have been unable to shoot consistently our Target Quality Arrows will be a revelation. They will shoot consistently onto the target.

Nocks

We recommend the use of plastic nocks. Their use will minimise they the chance of shafts being split by arrows or shafts splitting due to string forces.

If you wish to use self-nocked it is our recommendation that they only be used for re-enactment events.

Arrows being damaged by other arrows is usually the greatest cause of the demise of arrows.

Then again if you would like to assist us in selling more arrows please use self-nocked arrows all the time.

Nock Fitting

All self nocked arrows are cut with a narrow slot to accommodate thinner bow strings. They can be filed out to suit your bowstring and preferred fitment.

I use the arrows on a 70lb longbow with a thickish string and do not file out the nock. The snug fit ensures the arrow stays on the string without the need to "pinch" the end of the shaft during the draw. After some use the nock "moulds" to a size that enables the arrow to fit easily to the bow string and yet be retained.

Spine is a measure of how easily the shaft will bend and is an indication of the strength of the arrow. Arrows should be matched to the Bow in spine.

n.b. Arrows for use in longbows often need to 5lb-10lb lighter than the bow weight. We recommend that you take advantage of an opportunity to try some of our arrows in different spines to ensure that they match your bow.

The spine values quoted are according to the AMO Standard. (AMO - Archery Manufacturers Organisation.)

Port Orford Cedar is, traditionally, the material of choice for modern bows using wood arrows and it has a density of 420 kg/cubic metre. Victorian Ash, as used inour range of arrows, has a density of 620-680 kg/cubic metre. On average our Victorian Ash arrows are approx 40%-50% heavier than POC and similar light timber shafts.

What does this mean to you? Self longbows do not have fast limbs and benefit from the use of heavy arrows with more energy being transferred to the arrow and a resulting lower hand shock. For similiar arrows the heavier arrows will retain their energy longer.

On the downside the arrows may have a slighter lower velocity and may require a slightly higher elevation for the same impact point on the target.

It is my personal opinion that archers, overall, will be better served by the use of Victorian Ash shafts rather than lighter alternatives for the vast majority of situations.

Archers with replica Asian will benefit from lighter shafts. Ask us about building arrows on lighter shafts.

Modern Longbows, often American flatbows with composite limbs, may also benefit from lighter shafts if the user is trying for a flatter trajectory due to their faster limbs . We suggest that you take advantage of seeing us and trying some lighter shafts.

Just as a point of interest, the English Warbow of 120-14o lb draw was shooting an arrow around 4 oz in weight!

Compare that to the weight of arrows shot from your bow.