Arrow grain

[fish n chicks]

Which way do you want the runout on your arrows to face? I wanna say it's up, and away from you, but a solid answer would help more.

Thanks gang!

[Grey Taylor]

You've got it right.
Runout on top, points facing the tip of the arrow.

Guy

[fish n chicks]

Originally posted by Grey Taylor:
You've got it right.
Runout on top, points facing the tip of the arrow.

Guy

Thanks Guy!

[Rattus58]

[Rattus58]

Originally posted by fish n chicks:
Which way do you want the runout on your arrows to face? I wanna say it's up, and away from you, but a solid answer would help more.

Thanks gang!

What is, if you don't mind educating a neophyte, "runout" of your arrows?

Much Aloha...      

[Grey Taylor]

On a wood arrow shaft, runout is where the grain runs off the shaft.
Unless the grain on the shaft is perfectly straight you'll see "points" on the shaft where the grain runs off.
The theory is if the arrow were to break upon release, it could break along the grain lines. With the runout on top and pointed to the tip the rear of the broken arrow should go up and away from the bow hand.
I opened a thread a few weeks ago asking if anyone had actually seen an arrow break along these grain lines. The consensus was that while none of us had actually seen an arrow break in this manner, we would still orient the grain like this just as a matter of uniformity, if nothing else.
It may be amusing to note that 4-fletch shooters have a 50/50 chance of putting their arrow on "upside down."

Guy

[Grey Taylor]

I found a picture in my album on what the grain runout looks like...

 

See the "points" on the shafts? That's where the grain is running off the shaft. They may also be referred to as "rifts."

Guy

[Rattus58]

Originally posted by Grey Taylor:

On a wood arrow shaft, runout is where the grain runs off the shaft.
 
Unless the grain on the shaft is perfectly straight you'll see "points" on the shaft where the grain runs off.

The theory is if the arrow were to break upon release, it could break along the grain lines. With the runout on top and pointed to the tip the rear of the broken arrow should go up and away from the bow hand.

I opened a thread a few weeks ago asking if anyone had actually seen an arrow break along these grain lines. The consensus was that while none of us had actually seen an arrow break in this manner, we would still orient the grain like this just as a matter of uniformity, if nothing else.

It may be amusing to note that 4-fletch shooters have a 50/50 chance of putting their arrow on "upside down."

Guy

Ok... I think I've got it... however... I've had an arrow break on release twice in my life, one was cedar, the other was a carbon I was shooting out of my longbow... broke my bow too.. (dryfire) I'm sure the carbon was damaged before I shot it from the last or cumalative shots from my buddy who was playing with my cedars on his compound while I tried one of his carbons.... poor planning.

The cedar shaft of mine that broke, broke roughly halfway down the shaft. This was an arrow that had not been sealed and was being shot into an outdoor target.

My thinking on this "failure" which was spectacular and stuck the rear of the arrow in my garage roof, was that the moisture weakened the spine. That is all I can think of because I do inspect every arrow before I shoot them again... but who knows.

Much Aloha...  

[Rattus58]

Originally posted by Grey Taylor:
I found a picture in my album on what the grain runout looks like...

See the "points" on the shafts? That's where the grain is running off the shaft. They may also be referred to as "rifts."

Guy

Much Clearer... thank you for the picture... that makes everything easier to understand...

Thank you...

[Grey Taylor]

Difficult to say why the shaft broke. I won't even hazard a guess.
Glad to hear you weren't hurt but it's bad news on the bow.
The slow speed videos I've seen on breaking arrows show the shaft pretty much shattering and going everywhere. That's what made me wonder about the theory for the shaft breaking along the grain lines.
In the best case scenario we're all using arrows with perfectly straight greain and no run out. But, wood being what it is and shafts being what they are today, this isn't always possible unless you use a high cull rate.

Guy

[fish n chicks]

Thanks for posting that picture Guy. Before I saw that, I was skeptical as to if my choice of grain was a solid one. The cherry shafts I chose look similar to and some cleaner than your examples. Thanks for setting my mind more at ease, and most certainly for the tutelage. I hope to post my examples soon... but we sign a closing on our first house tomorrow so that MIGHT get in the way.    

[Pat B]

I had a cedar arrow break on release and it turned out to be an unseen crack in the shaft. Never had one break on a grain line but never had abrubt run offs either.

[Grey Taylor]

Congratulations on your house, Jon!
Now, try not to lose it in a divorce like I did    

Guy

[fish n chicks]

Originally posted by Grey Taylor:
Congratulations on your house, Jon!
Now, try not to lose it in a divorce like I did      

Guy

You got it bro!    

[Roy from Pa]

Broken arrows hurt. It happened to my best friend. The end of the broken shaft is under the skin up to his second knuckle. Always check your arrows for cracks.

   

[Pat B]

I was fortunate that my mishap ended without injury except for a hell of a string bruse just below my sholder where the string hit when I released and the arrow broke.

[Rattus58]

Originally posted by Roy from Pa:
Broken arrows hurt. It happened to my best friend. The end of the broken shaft is under the skin up to his second knuckle. Always check your arrows for cracks.

   

Ohhh.... that sends shivers just looking at it....

Aloha....  

[Grey Taylor]

Ditto!
I've seen a few pictures like that and every one shrivels me up like a cold shower.

Guy

[fish n chicks]

Are you kidding!? That picture is awesome! Got Roy on his cell phone ordering pizza, and his buddy is happy cause his new injury will get them free delivery! See, even in mishap there can be something worth smiling about.

      Truthfully that's a scary sight. But great advice Roy!