I was doing a search for some "footed" carbon arrows to find some info on putting aluminum over the carbon behind the point...and when I did so I found these two photos.
Ouch. Be sure to check your arrows.
(http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?s=1a05016956254c23c5cc7ad10c7cdf35&attachmentid=162011&stc=1&d=1102970225)
(http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/attachment.php?s=60d70d290a28d167fb7ea2d89b73ca3f&attachmentid=193438&stc=1&d=1286383279)
Real wakeup call to all of us.Only takes you let'n your guard down one time.Thanks for posting,pictures speak a thousand wards.
Yup, I hit something hard and flex them all the time!! Woodies too and aluminum is not a bad idea whatever shaft material! Shawn
Brings back memories when a friend shooting with had an aluminum go thru, without hitting bone. These are much worse, due to splintering of the carbon fibers.
how does this happen?? man I dont want this to every happen to anyone!!!
QuoteOriginally posted by xia_emperor:
how does this happen?? man I dont want this to every happen to anyone!!!
Could be due to a crack or weak spot in the weaving of the carbon, also could be an arrow that is very underspined this causing a lot more action in the arrows paradox.
Very dangerous and like stated above always inspect your arrows before shooting them!
Yup, I always flex test my arrows just in case, never had any break at the shot & God willing I hope I never will.
Can this happen with alloy arrows ?
Yeah...how does something like this happen??
I am still wearing a bit of carbon in my wrist. I had an accident with those binoc holders you wear like a bra. I was taking a near vertical shot and was bending at the waist. The string hit the binocs and slammed the carbon arrow into the riser. I ended up looking like the above pic. I was hunting with an ER Doc. Once we figured it wasn't in the radial artery we pulled it out, irrigated it, and left it open to heal. We left some of the little pieces in there on accident and at times a shard will come to the surface. It doesn't affect my shooting now but did for a month after that little deal :)
Wouch!
Mike, how do you wear your binocs now?
I know a armguard doesn't help in some accidents but I am amazed of the amount of people that say they don't use one. I have had one arrow break and scrape some leather off my armguard and this happen to a friend. The arrow did not get caught on his armguard or watch until it broke.
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii185/bofish-il/CIB/IMG_0001.jpg)
NOT on one of those things! I wear an extra long neck strap and wear it like I would a side quiver. It probably wouldn't be an issue on flat ground but in a tree stand I just keep 'em on a hook and away from the bowstring ;)
I saw a post where some people were talking about good arrow finishes. Someone posted how they had lost arrows and found them months later and were still good...and they are still shooting them.
My own thoughts on the matter is...it isn't worth the risk.
When in doubt, play it safe.
Seen it more than once w/aluminums especially w/overdraws. No thanks.
Deffinatly a wakeup call !
Be willing to bet it would happen more with wood arrows? What do you think?
If you make your wood arrows correctly with the run-out growth rings on top forming the "V" pointing away from the nock the tendency of a split is to lift the shaft away from your hand. I've had wood shafts blow up and scared myself good but no hurt.
I overdrew one as a teenager and the point was against the face of the riser when I released. SNAP!
http://www.shootingedgetech.com/
If you are really scared, here is a company making money off you fears - kevlar shooting glove or something like that
I quit shooting carbons for this reason. They develop cracks behind the points and nocks and then close back and are difficult to see.I'll take a few more broken arrows of something else that is easier to see a break.
There is a fine line between high-performance and catastrophic failure.
I was shooting 3D years ago with a friend shooting a compound. His carbon arrow blew up, literally, and we never even found a piece of it! I feel wood is safer.
So do you check them before each shooting event? And what method do you use to make the safety check?
Something like that could happen regardless of material. Wood is usually easy as a crach is usually visible or you can bend it a little to open it. I 've never seen aluminum split, and a broken alloy shaft is usually visible. The problem I've had with carbons is they split next to the insert and the glue doesn't let the break open up. You need to check your arrows frequently while shooting.
I was told by a arrow manufacture rep. that most of the problems with carbons breaking were from compound shooters. They shoot at 20 yards praticing. Alot of guys see how tight of a group they can shoot. The arrows "side slap" each other. Carbon arrows are made to take frontal impact...not "side slaps". Lucky for me I don't have that problem at 20 yards :banghead:
Simple Always flex your arrows After shooting, my shooting and hunting is to valuable to have that happen, if i hit something hard, or one arrow hits another, skims a rock, stump etc etc Always flex the arrows and inspect them.
iv have several that iv thought ah looks ok and then flexed it and POW!
QuoteOriginally posted by landman:
Yeah...how does something like this happen??
Gap shooting
I don't think any of these pics occured from traditional gear.
Look at the bow in the picture posted by bofish.
Tight groups and dinged shafts are not the sole domain of compound shooters.
Killdeer
Nasty stuff...
I routinely slap my arrows (woods) against my thigh while target shooting. You can hear it if they're cracked. I inspect them closely, especially if I'm shooting well and the arrows make contact at the target. Many of my target arrows have dents from a glancing hit, and these I watch closely. If no cracks develop I keep shooting them. I have even repaired "robin hooded" shafts that split in the top with super glue. Foolish or cheap maybe, but I do use common sense and don't try to save the worst ones. I also don't let anyone else shoot the ones I repair. I have never had one break in the bow, in many, many thousands of shots. I shoot yellow poplar exclusively, which is a very homogeneous wood with indistinct rings and MUCH tougher than the softwoods like POC. I wouldn't repair an arrow with distinct rings, like Doug fir. Those distinct rings represent weaker areas, and they can separate at the earlywood/latewood juncture when the wood has been overly stressed. Yellow poplar doesn't do this.
I've spent a long career of around 35 years working with and studying wood properties, so don't try this at home.
I just noticed this is post #1948, the year I was born. :)
When you see stuff like that, or bows that break, it makes you realize that what we do is not a game to be taken lightly.
Man what a wake up call.
One reason I only use good woods or aluminums. I believe aluminums are the safest by far. Its hard to beat xx75s or xx78s.
God bless you all, Steve
Wall thickness, and methods of construction will play a role in carbon failure, as well as exposure to heat. The older, cheaper carbons had thin walls, and fewer re-enforcing weaves. If you look at the construction of some of the heavier, premium carbons there is a considerable difference in quality and construction.
Aluminum will shafts will work harden and become brittle over time. Just the nature of the material. That's why aluminum mountain bike frames break after a few years of heavy use.
I had an autumn orange Easton 2018 split in the middle when i was a kid. It was one of four arrows that i owned at the time, and it had been used for three years and LOTS of shots prior to it's demise.
I can't say a lot about wood, as i've only ever used Lam Birch, and have never had a problem.
At the end of the day, we are all responsible for our gear and our safety.
I wonder the danger of cap wraps hideing cracks.I do use them but often wonder
Wow...........I had a feather quill lodge under my skin on the top of my thumb but this picture is painful to even look at.
I respecting my aluminums alot more now.
QuoteOriginally posted by tradtusker:
Simple Always flex your arrows After shooting, my shooting and hunting is to valuable to have that happen, if i hit something hard, or one arrow hits another, skims a rock, stump etc etc Always flex the arrows and inspect them.
iv have several that iv thought ah looks ok and then flexed it and POW!
Exactly !!
I have gotten into such a habit I flex them every shot. I have had the same expereine as Andy, just flexing an arrow out of habit and "POW".
Thanks for the post. I just sent link to my nephews. They are particularly enamored by seeing how tight they can group. I often see nicks in their carbons.
Jeez, I've heard of it happening but never seen it. Thanks for the PICS. Definitely an attention getter!
Makes you step back and think a little
DANGEROUS...SPORT THATS FOR SURE....
Folks, don't try this at home...
I seen this happen to a friend of mine a few years ago not good
As many of you know I have been shooting now for almost 60 years. I have always seen pics of this sort over the years no matter the arrow shaft material. You just have to exercise safety and keep an eye on your equipment.
Yuck debbie downer here but a good reminder none the less.
Your kidding yourself if you think only carbon does this. All shafts can break. I've had one carbon go on me and I was lucky just a yellow arm for few weeks. I've seen wood shafts break on release as well. Bend em and check em after any close encounters and before each shooting session. Only takes a few seconds to check them. Safer always better than sorry.
I always thought that arm guards were for those that couldn't keep their arm out of the string's way or when bulky clothing needed to be controlled. Currently rethinking that opinion...
Wow, Be careful guys!
I think the story behind that was. A anti hunter demonstrating how to use the bow and arrow!!
I'll be checking my arrows tonight. Thanks for the reminder.
Maybe we should put the arrow wraps on the front of the arrow ? Ooh I see a new gimmick the "Arrow Wrapper Break Preventer"