Hopefully you’ve read my last post, here. In it, I discuss some of the details of fitting arrows to an archer’s system. In this post I will recommend various arrow components that work well for archers of all kinds and that aren’t as costly as others. Though there are other arrow manufacturers you can select from such as Carbon Express and Victory, we’ve chosen Easton.
First, the 2021 Easton Target Archery Catalog. Browsing through this helps one understand all the choices that are available.
Shafts: Easton Avance Sport. You will have to measure your draw length and draw weight at that length to determine which spine to purchase. Coaches can help with this. There are more expensive arrows for sure, but these aren’t very expensive, they fly well, and even advanced archers can shoot very well with them. We recommend these carbon shafts because you can shoot with them indoors and outdoors. Later on, as your archery advances, you may be interested in a wider shaft for indoor season, but until you are shooting really high scores we recommend shooting with the same arrows for both indoor and outdoor. You’ll want 10 to 12 shafts. Note: Some of our coaches own an arrow saw that can be used to cut carbon arrows.
Tips: Easton 4mm Stainless Steel Break-Off Points. Be sure to pick the right size (#1, #2, etc.) based upon your shaft’s model and spine. These tips are adjustable between 80 and 130 grains (a grain is 1/7000th of a pound). One package has 12 points.
Inserts: Easton 4mm Pin. These insert into the shaft end and allow a pin nock to attach to it. Be sure to pick the right size based upon your shaft’s model and spine. One package has 12 points.
Glue. Used to attach the tips and inserts to the shaft. Easily heatable to allow removal of the tips and inserts.
Nocks: Beiter Pin Nock. Usually the right size is a #2. One package has 12 nocks.
Vanes: Spider Vanes.
Bohning Tape. Allows you to more easily attach vanes to shafts than the tape that comes with the Spider Vanes does.
Marking Device. Allows the user to place marks on the arrow where the vanes will go.
Paint Pens. For marking the arrow shaft in order to consistently attach vanes. These are extra fine for easy and precise use.
Benzomatic Torch Head. For heating up tips and inserts to melt glue with.
Benzomatic Camping Gas Cylinder. This one is good because it is wide enough to have stability while you use it. You can turn on the flame and let this safely sit on a table while you heat up a tip or insert.
Arrow Lube for easy removal of arrows from the target.