Is It True...

[mcgroundstalker]

... That carbon arrows "wear out" or due to much use and flexing "lose spine stiffness" ?

Thanks 

[Wannabe1]

I don't know the answer to this but, I've been shooting the same 6 AD Trad Lites for over 10yrs now and have had no issues with them. That's shooting them through a multitude of bows.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Don't know Mikey, always lose or break them before I find out

[Possum Head]

I’ve never worn through the finish on a GT Trad yet!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Trenton G.]

My arrows don't last long enough to find out before I end up losing them or breaking them.

[J. Holden]

I have no experience to draw on other than my opinion.  I'm going to say no, carbon arrows will not loose their stiffness or straightness.  One of my coworkers shoots a compound with carbon arrows.  He was just saying the other day that he can't remember the last time he bought carbon arrows because he's still on his first dozen.  And he's been hunting for a loooong time.

But again, no proof, just my humble opinion.

-Jeremy

[mcgroundstalker]

Thanks Everyone! Guess it was just another bit of misinformation... Didn't believe it myself.

[drewsbow]

no sir they do not

[mahantango]

Actually, I have heard from Olympic shooters that they do. But the guys are putting a LOT of shots downrange.

[Hoosierarcher88]

The arrows the olympic guys generally are shooting are easton x10's. Its not that the spine breaks down but rather the aluminum core takes a set. Carbons themselves will not lose spine even with excessive shooting.

[kat]

I have heard the same thing, but I can't say that I have ever noticed it.

[wingnut]

I did have it happen with XX75 aluminum arrows though.  Never with carbons.

Mike

[bigbadjon]

I'm sure it is true as everything is subject to fatigue. How long it takes is the real question. It may be more noticeable on thin walled target shafts in low spine poundages than thicker walled hunting shafts to.

[Wannabe1]

I'm sure it is true as everything is subject to fatigue.

Man, don't I know it!

[LBR]

I'm sure it is true as everything is subject to fatigue. How long it takes is the real question. It may be more noticeable on thin walled target shafts in low spine poundages than thicker walled hunting shafts to.

Yep.  A friend of mine experienced it, but he was shooting very low spine and shooting a lot.  I'm sure there are tons of variables that will have an effect.  To paraphrase BBJ, everything wears out sooner or later.

[Cool Springer]

I'm sure the arrow manufacturers won't mind if you buy a few dozen new shafts each year.  Next thing you know they'll be putting expiration dates on arrows!!

[bigbadjon]

Have any of you guys actually put your arrows on a spine tester to see if they are still in spec? I posted the spine results of some Easton Axis shafts a while back. I still have at least five of those shafts remaining. I'll check them when I get home and we'll gain some perspective on this matter.

[bigbadjon]

In Aug of 2015 I posted the spine readings of this virgin pack of Easton Axis 340s. This was done on my Flite Rite Professional scale. The scale is not in the same as Easton uses but I did not convert the results but that isn't important to this conversation.

Shaft 1 was .290, .300, and 326 grs.
Shaft 2 was .285, .290, and 327 grs.
Shaft 3 was .290, .290, and 327 grs.
Shaft 4 was .280, .290 and 324 grs.
Shaft 5 was .290, .300 and 326 grs.
Shaft 6 was .280, .290, and 326 grs.
Shaft 7 was .280, .285, and 326 grs.
Shaft 8 was .280, .290, and 327 grs.
Shaft 9 was .285, .290, and 326 grs
Shaft 10 was .290, .300, and 326 grs.
Shaft 11 was .280, .290, and 326 grs.
Shaft 12 was .290, .300, and 326 grs.

I still have 8 shafts of this set. One has been shot excessively the others not so much, 4 I have broken and are unavailable to be tested.

Shaft 1 was .288 to .289
Shaft 2 was .325 to .330, this is the one most used still intact.
Shaft 3 was .275 to.280
Shaft 4 was .285 to .290
Shaft 5 was .280 to .285
Shaft 6 was .285 to .290
Shaft 7 was .285 to .290 and is still new
Shaft 8 was .285 to .290 and is still new

Shaft 2 has definately had a measureable loss of stiffness and is the first arrow most in practice. The rest of the arrows are largely as stiff as they were 3 years ago but are also largely unused.

So yes they do lose stiffness by shooting them.

[Holm-Made]

I wonder if the carbon in bow limbs is the same as the carbon in arrows and if there is the same effect in Bows.

[madmaxthc]

In Aug of 2015 I posted the spine readings of this virgin pack of Easton Axis 340s. This was done on my Flite Rite Professional scale. The scale is not in the same as Easton uses but I did not convert the results but that isn't important to this conversation.

...

Shaft 2 has definately had a measureable loss of stiffness and is the first arrow most in practice. The rest of the arrows are largely as stiff as they were 3 years ago but are also largely unused.

So yes they do lose stiffness by shooting them.

That is great data, thank you!

I wonder if the carbon in bow limbs is the same as the carbon in arrows and if there is the same effect in Bows.

Good point!

Also, it has to be considered that we change over the years. When I was younger and had a backyard big enough for me to train every day, I had an extra inch in draw length. While I do not see myself regaining that inch any time soon, I do believe my form got better, and I shoot now shafts that were visibly too stiff for me back then. Same bow, less draw length. I have also improved my string making capabilities, but I make them thicker than I used to. There are several variables that changed since I got that bow 11 years ago. Food for thought, I guess.

Max