Description of Wooden Arrows

Wooden arrow-making involves skills that have existed from very early human history. To this day, many of pieces and components of a modern arrow are the same as they have been for thousands of years. None of the parts are decorative; each serves an important function in allowing the arrow to fly correctly when shot from a bow.

  1. The Arrow Shaft

    • The largest part of a wooden arrow is the wooden shaft that makes up the body of the arrow. Today, wooden shafts can be obtained precut at 32 inches in lacquered or bare wood from companies that specialize in their production. Quality modern shafts are made from cedar (the same materials used by historical Japanese crafters) which provides resilience, toughness and a low weight factor. In some cases compressed cedar shafts made with modern technology offer a stronger alternative that yields better target penetration for beginners. The arrow crafter can then cut a raw shaft to the appropriate length that matches the intended user's arm length and strength for operating a bow. The shaft cut itself is typically the length of a person's draw plus 1 inch. The crafter lacquers the wood if it comes bare.

    The Nock

    • The nock end of the wood arrow allows a user to position the arrow into a bow for shooting. This slit in the back of the arrow positions the shaft end onto the bow wire or rope. Modern wood arrows frequently use a glued-on plastic cap for the nock rather than a carving in the wood shaft. However, a wood cut can be performed by a knowledgeable crafter for an authentic wood shaft end.

    Fletching

    • The most decorative part of an arrow, the fletching, has historically been associated with feathers. Today's wooden arrow fletching can include feathers as well as plastic vanes or similar artificial material. Fletching helps direct of a wooden arrow as it flies through the air. Done incorrectly, the arrow can curve badly. Installed correctly, the arrow an improve in flight towards its target. Fletching can be installed in different ways, with helical (spiral) or diagonal fletching as options.

    The Arrowhead

    • The arrowhead can be a simple metal point on the end of the arrow shaft or it can be a more sophisticated item. Similar to historical examples, modern arrowheads use a point as the entry contact area so the arrow will stick in whatever it is shot at. Some arrowheads are fairly light and used for target practice, while heavier arrowheads have weight for momentum in use for hunting.