First let me say this post has no brand name associated with it. This is merely to educate those in this sport that may have some confusion on the available selection of shafts themselves or the massive selection of ready made "off the shelf" pre-built arrows. This information shared is the combination of many months of R&D designing, lab testing and final performance out of a crossbow. The testing criteria was based on carbon type, carbon grade and the wrap & roll process. This does not include extrusion process.
Manufacturing Process:
Cutting of the pre-preg material was completed on state of the art cutting equipment so that the sheet width is +-.002" accurate Piece/Piece. This is critical for the final shaft spine achieving match grade spine deflection. The main focus here was to eliminate the need for, say, two dozen shafts required to achieve one dozen shafts with perfect spine matching whereas normal and customary "shearing" on the material prohibits that accuracy. Shearing can produce "frays" of carbon fibers affecting deflection values. This new proprietary process provides a razor edge promoting consistent width, no fraying.This is more critical for woven/weave material than that of plain fiber (more on the differences to come)
The Mandrel rolling process, regardless of woven/weave or plain fiber has also been improved whereas the force applied while wrapping the pre preg film is adjusted relative to force value: "Closed loop" process. This improves the degree of starting point and end point of the wrap that is critical for layered seam match.
The noted processes can achieve shafts that are +- .002" deflection consistently and eliminates the "problem child" shaft that has distinct deflection error. These processes also increase hoop strength accuracy that further promotes shaft performance.
All that said, lets talk about the two main two options you the shooter has and the expectations you may want/need. Advantages/Disadvantages between the two.
Plain fiber Shafts:
Normally the lower cost shafts you will find on the market (outside of some brands that demand high cost). The fibers run linear down the shaft and easy to recognize for the fact you see no weave.
Advantages: Ability to manufacture a very stiff shaft WITHOUT increasing OD like with woven/weave shafts. Currently have manufactured plain fiber shafts that @ .346" diameter ARE currently the stiffest manufactured providing the least deflection to date. This stiffness allows those bows that cannot tolerate larger diameter woven/weave shafts. (mission sub series for example)
Disadvantages: Plain fiber shafts do not have the wall strength as that of woven/weave shafts. Some shooters accurately report where the shafts split or splinter as the shafts experiences many target impacts or striking and animal. This is directly due to the fiber orientation being linear down the shaft rather helical in a woven/weave shaft. Crush testing on many brands of plain fiber shafts indicated as much as 40% less collapse value as that of woven/weave.
Woven/Weave Shafts:
Normally slightly higher in cost due to carbon manufacturing process. The carbon fibers are normally woven and run in a helix down the shafts providing excellent torsion strength.
Advantages:
Extremely long lasting regarding durability. High level of cosmetic finish for those looking for a "pretty" shaft.
Disadvantages:
Difficult to achieve stiffness without increasing wall thickness. These shafts require as much as . 360" diameter to match that of .346" diameter plain fiber stiffness.
Conclusion:
Plain fiber shafts perform as well as woven/weave if indexed properly. HOWEVER, plain fiber shafts suffer from short term life due to carbon degradation. Woven/weave shafts perform as well HOWEVER last 4-5 times longer before experiencing any degradation/accuracy issues. HOWEVER, if the shooter is looking for small diameter "stiff" shafts then plain fiber is the way to go.
As you can see the decision is based on what you want/need relative to your bow. Standard diameter shaft with stiffness, shoot plain fiber knowing the life of the shaft is much less before degradation sets in and accuracy will suffer. Woven/weave shaft if you can tolerate larger diameter to achieve stiffness and experience much longer shaft life.
Whichever you decide, invest in a quality shaft/arrow that satisfies your expectations. $29.00 a six pack most likely will not satisfy that expectation. For those not familiar with carbon shaft technology, ask questions from your provider. Ask the pro's and con's of what they are offering. "Pretty" pictures of shafts/arrows is fine, Even prettier pictures are those of multiple arrows stacked up in a target at 100 yards. The right shooter, bow and arrows can do it! YOU can do it! Makes those 40-50 yard shots at an animal a walk in the park!
Good luck to everyone this upcoming season.
Aim Small, Miss Small
FD
Manufacturing Process:
Cutting of the pre-preg material was completed on state of the art cutting equipment so that the sheet width is +-.002" accurate Piece/Piece. This is critical for the final shaft spine achieving match grade spine deflection. The main focus here was to eliminate the need for, say, two dozen shafts required to achieve one dozen shafts with perfect spine matching whereas normal and customary "shearing" on the material prohibits that accuracy. Shearing can produce "frays" of carbon fibers affecting deflection values. This new proprietary process provides a razor edge promoting consistent width, no fraying.This is more critical for woven/weave material than that of plain fiber (more on the differences to come)
The Mandrel rolling process, regardless of woven/weave or plain fiber has also been improved whereas the force applied while wrapping the pre preg film is adjusted relative to force value: "Closed loop" process. This improves the degree of starting point and end point of the wrap that is critical for layered seam match.
The noted processes can achieve shafts that are +- .002" deflection consistently and eliminates the "problem child" shaft that has distinct deflection error. These processes also increase hoop strength accuracy that further promotes shaft performance.
All that said, lets talk about the two main two options you the shooter has and the expectations you may want/need. Advantages/Disadvantages between the two.
Plain fiber Shafts:
Normally the lower cost shafts you will find on the market (outside of some brands that demand high cost). The fibers run linear down the shaft and easy to recognize for the fact you see no weave.
Advantages: Ability to manufacture a very stiff shaft WITHOUT increasing OD like with woven/weave shafts. Currently have manufactured plain fiber shafts that @ .346" diameter ARE currently the stiffest manufactured providing the least deflection to date. This stiffness allows those bows that cannot tolerate larger diameter woven/weave shafts. (mission sub series for example)
Disadvantages: Plain fiber shafts do not have the wall strength as that of woven/weave shafts. Some shooters accurately report where the shafts split or splinter as the shafts experiences many target impacts or striking and animal. This is directly due to the fiber orientation being linear down the shaft rather helical in a woven/weave shaft. Crush testing on many brands of plain fiber shafts indicated as much as 40% less collapse value as that of woven/weave.
Woven/Weave Shafts:
Normally slightly higher in cost due to carbon manufacturing process. The carbon fibers are normally woven and run in a helix down the shafts providing excellent torsion strength.
Advantages:
Extremely long lasting regarding durability. High level of cosmetic finish for those looking for a "pretty" shaft.
Disadvantages:
Difficult to achieve stiffness without increasing wall thickness. These shafts require as much as . 360" diameter to match that of .346" diameter plain fiber stiffness.
Conclusion:
Plain fiber shafts perform as well as woven/weave if indexed properly. HOWEVER, plain fiber shafts suffer from short term life due to carbon degradation. Woven/weave shafts perform as well HOWEVER last 4-5 times longer before experiencing any degradation/accuracy issues. HOWEVER, if the shooter is looking for small diameter "stiff" shafts then plain fiber is the way to go.
As you can see the decision is based on what you want/need relative to your bow. Standard diameter shaft with stiffness, shoot plain fiber knowing the life of the shaft is much less before degradation sets in and accuracy will suffer. Woven/weave shaft if you can tolerate larger diameter to achieve stiffness and experience much longer shaft life.
Whichever you decide, invest in a quality shaft/arrow that satisfies your expectations. $29.00 a six pack most likely will not satisfy that expectation. For those not familiar with carbon shaft technology, ask questions from your provider. Ask the pro's and con's of what they are offering. "Pretty" pictures of shafts/arrows is fine, Even prettier pictures are those of multiple arrows stacked up in a target at 100 yards. The right shooter, bow and arrows can do it! YOU can do it! Makes those 40-50 yard shots at an animal a walk in the park!
Good luck to everyone this upcoming season.
Aim Small, Miss Small
FD