A Beginner’s Guide to Recurve Arrows
Choosing the right arrow is essential for accuracy and safety. This guide covers the basics of construction, terminology, and how different models perform under typical club conditions.
1. Understanding Arrow Materials
- Aluminium: The standard for beginners and indoor shooting. They are consistent, affordable, and safe because they bend rather than shatter upon impact.
- Carbon: Extremely light and durable. Carbon arrows recover their straightness quickly after leaving the bow, making them very accurate for outdoor shooting.
- Aluminium/Carbon (A/C): Features a thin aluminium core wrapped in carbon. These offer the precision of aluminium with the strength and slim profile of carbon for high-level competition.
2. Key Terminology
- Spine: The stiffness of the arrow. A lower number (e.g., 500) is stiffer than a higher number (e.g., 800).
- GPI (Grains Per Inch): This is the weight of the raw shaft material.
- Archer's Paradox: The way a recurve arrow must flex around the bow handle. This is why getting the correct "Spine" is vital for accuracy.
3. Model Reference: What are these arrows?
In the tables below, we compare six of the most common arrows used in UK clubs. Here is what they represent:
- RX7 / RX21: Specialized "fat" aluminium arrows. They are tapered to be thick at the front and thin at the back, designed specifically to cut scoring lines during indoor 18m rounds.
- XX75 Platinum Plus: The universal club standard. A reliable, mid-weight aluminium arrow used by almost everyone starting their archery journey.
- X7 Eclipse: A high-precision, stiffer grade of aluminium used primarily for serious indoor target competition.
- Alimax: An entry-level Aluminium/Carbon (A/C) arrow. It offers carbon performance at a price point that suits intermediate club members moving outdoors.
- X10: A heavy-duty, ultra-slim A/C arrow. It is designed to be heavy for its size to "cut" through high winds at 70m distances.
- ACE: An ultra-light, barreled A/C arrow. It is designed for maximum speed, helping archers reach long distances with lower draw weights.
30lb Reference Setup (Standard Limbs)
Calculations based on a 28" arrow length with 100gr points and standard fletchings.
| Arrow Model | Spine | Shaft Wt | Point | Nock/Vane | Total Wt | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX21 (Indoor) | 525 | 300g | 100g | 30g | 430g | 155 FPS |
| XX75 Platinum Plus | 1816 | 260g | 100g | 25g | 385g | 165 FPS |
| X7 Eclipse | 1814 | 245g | 100g | 25g | 370g | 169 FPS |
| X10 (Outdoor) | 700 | 217g | 100g | 18g | 335g | 176 FPS |
| Alimax (Outdoor) | 800 | 197g | 100g | 18g | 315g | 181 FPS |
| ACE (Outdoor) | 720 | 162g | 100g | 18g | 280g | 192 FPS |
40lb Reference Setup (Carbon Limbs)
Calculations based on a 28" arrow length with 100gr points and Jet6/Spin vanes for outdoor models.
| Arrow Model | Spine | Shaft Wt | Point | Nock/Vane | Total Wt | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX21 (Indoor) | 475 | 340g | 100g | 30g | 470g | 175 FPS |
| XX75 Platinum Plus | 1916 | 303g | 100g | 25g | 428g | 182 FPS |
| X7 Eclipse | 1914 | 287g | 100g | 25g | 412g | 186 FPS |
| X10 (Outdoor) | 600 | 257g | 100g | 18g | 375g | 194 FPS |
| Alimax (Outdoor) | 600 | 237g | 100g | 18g | 355g | 198 FPS |
| ACE (Outdoor) | 570 | 192g | 100g | 18g | 310g | 212 FPS |
Safety: The Flex Test
Unlike aluminium, carbon arrows can develop internal cracks. You must perform a flex test before shooting:
- Grasp the arrow at both ends.
- Flex the shaft away from your face while listening closely.
- If you hear any cracking or creaking, the arrow is unsafe.
- Do not shoot it. Snap the arrow in half and dispose of it immediately.