Picture of new sideplate..What does this tell me?

[blind one]

I just put a new leather side plate in my Howatt Hunter. I shot 5 arrows and it marked it up like this. Is this normal? If not what do I need to do do fix it?.. Thanks Roy

[Shaun]

Play with spine and try shooting with cock feather towards the riser if you spine is OK. Arrow is doing the archers' paradox - bending away from the bow on release and then back - in such a way that the knock end is hitting and marking the strike.

What are the bow specs and arrow in question?

[Apex Predator]

I would guess your nocking point is too low, or your arrows are too stiff.  Maybe both.  Do your arrows fly well?

[Bradd]

Roy;  

Go here for slow mo arrow flights:
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzWrcpzuAp8  
 
And read this:
  http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publish/FlexFletchArrowFlight.shtml

[blind one]

The bow is 62" 50#@ 28". I draw 30.5". The arrows are XX75 2018's (orange). I have the nock set at a 1/4" above center and the arrows dont wobble, but the nock is flying high all the way to the target. I lowered it down to where it is now, I was told to do this . I dont know how low I can go with it. Would this do it?.Hope this helps..Roy

[Jeff Strubberg]

Before you get nervous, check the leading edge of your fletching.  You may have one or two that are rough where they contact theshaft and are causing some extra wear.

[blind one]

I checked the 5 arrows. The feathers are smooth at the shaft. I do put a drop of fletch tite on the ends but I smooth it as it dries. I shoot cock out and the bottom feather is starting to look rough...Roy

[blind one]

Thanks guys , but I think I found the problem. I used my 1918 arrows that I had sitting here. They are identical to my heavier arrows.    ..Roy

[Trophybow1]

Hey, it maight be that you are still too LOW..did you start fixing your nocking poit FROM center to up?
If you did, you should do it opposite. Put it really high and start shooting arrow where is no feathers. Shoot from abot 10yards.
If you start from center, there comes first a spot where it seems that arrow flies ok, but it is really a spot when arrow kind of jumps balanced way from the rest. The REAL spot comes little higher. That is why it is better to start high and move it down.
This test shows you both, the spine and the nocking point.
Sorry my bad english, maybe someone can tell it easier way.
Take care
and Greetings from Finland.

[blind one]

I went out and bare shafted somme 2018,2117 and 2219. The 2018 went sideways and nock up into target. The 2219 did the same, just the opposite side. The 2117 shot good when I lowered the nock a little bit. I'm going to fletch a 2117 and see what happens. I'm just under 1/4" above center. I put the arrow above the string nock and shoot split finger. Will this effect where I put the string nock?