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Old 12-19-2012, 04:03 PM
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Don Meredith Don Meredith is offline
 
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Exclamation Arrow Accident

I'm not a bow hunter, but I received the following message from a fellow outdoor writer in the States who usually passes on good information. This message was passed on to him from a friend. And since I can't find a similar thread here, I decided to post it.
>I just wanted to share what happened to me this weekend and make sure all of you bow hunters are aware how important it is to inspect your carbon arrows. Saturday I was doing some target shooting in my backyard and had 2 arrows piled up together touching, but did not see any
outward damage. I did not do the flex test, mentioned in the link below.
What happened to me appears to be more common than I knew after
researching it. When I released the Gold Tip carbon 5575 arrow, the
arrow broke & shattered, leaving many shreds of carbon embedded in my
left hand. I found both pieces. One was in the target 30 yards away and
the other piece was 15 yards away. At the ER last night, they got a lot
of the carbon splinters out, but did not get them all. I'm going to a
hand specialist on Monday and hoping there is not that much damage.

>Please inform all of fellow bowhunters about this!!

>see the link & the especially the photo in the link:
www.huntersfriend.com/arrow-safety-warning.htm<

FYI,
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Old 12-19-2012, 04:28 PM
Kurt505 Kurt505 is offline
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This is the exact reason I switched to ACC's and FMJ's. I switched before I had this happen. Just seeing the pics was enough for me to spend the extra cash on combination shafts.
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Old 12-19-2012, 05:27 PM
petew petew is offline
 
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This can and does happen with all types, Wood, Carbon, and Alloy.
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Old 12-19-2012, 06:19 PM
bowtech3006 bowtech3006 is offline
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Great reminder thanks for sharing
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Old 12-19-2012, 07:57 PM
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Good post. What is the carbon test besides a visual inspection? flex the arrow a little see if there are cracks?

Dave
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Old 12-20-2012, 08:10 AM
jcrayford jcrayford is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbcooper View Post
Good post. What is the carbon test besides a visual inspection? flex the arrow a little see if there are cracks?

Dave
When I used to shoot carbons and test them, I'd grab either end and create a slight flex in the shaft, while twisting the shaft with the opposing hands. Then I'd flex the shaft, like a long skipping rope between two girls and listen for loose fibers inside. Then I'd gently bang the shaft on my index knuckle and listen again (and feel for vibrations). You have to do tests similar to these, because you won't be able to visually see the damage (cracks)

When they are broke internally, these steps above will indicate that the arrow has damage inside. If you hear anything out of the ordinary DO NOT SHOOT IT!!!! It's not worth the $15 bucks to replace it...

J.
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Old 12-20-2012, 08:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcrayford View Post
It's not worth the $15 bucks to replace it...
Exactly! There are certain areas where it's just unwise to try and save a buck...
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Old 12-20-2012, 09:04 AM
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Had a carbon express arrow disintegrate on release, a few years back! Thankfully no injuries, but opened my eyes to inspection of arrows

Good reminder, thanks
Mark
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Old 12-20-2012, 11:23 AM
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L.O.S.T.Arrow L.O.S.T.Arrow is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcrayford View Post
When I used to shoot carbons and test them, I'd grab either end and create a slight flex in the shaft, while twisting the shaft with the opposing hands. Then I'd flex the shaft, like a long skipping rope between two girls and listen for loose fibers inside. Then I'd gently bang the shaft on my index knuckle and listen again (and feel for vibrations). You have to do tests similar to these, because you won't be able to visually see the damage (cracks)

When they are broke internally, these steps above will indicate that the arrow has damage inside. If you hear anything out of the ordinary DO NOT SHOOT IT!!!! It's not worth the $15 bucks to replace it...

J.
Excellent points here..just to add when flexing an arrow hold by nock behind vanes to flex not in front of vanes...we had a shooter shoot a broken arrow right at vanes ..flexed arrow in front of vanes seemed good so shot...blew up bow and left a mark on hand ...could have been much worse...

I have pictures of a half dozen hand shot now down in the USA...


Neil
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Old 12-22-2012, 10:23 AM
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Here's another option that's best run in tandom with arrow inspection.

http://www.shootingedgetech.com/inde...layout=default
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  #11  
Old 12-23-2012, 08:55 AM
gustuphson gustuphson is offline
 
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I'm brand new to bow hunting. Do you guys wear safety gear religiously? Eye protection and some sort of gloves or is that generally unnecessary? I'll check out the links later - have I'd kids under six running my show right now...
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Old 12-23-2012, 09:04 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Coiloil37 View Post
Here's another option that's best run in tandom with arrow inspection.

http://www.shootingedgetech.com/inde...layout=default
Looked at that link. Interested in a glove, but not sure I understand there sizing method, whos got a hand 8" across?
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  #13  
Old 12-23-2012, 10:10 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KBF View Post
Looked at that link. Interested in a glove, but not sure I understand there sizing method, whos got a hand 8" across?
It's around, not across.
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  #14  
Old 12-23-2012, 10:43 AM
timbermoose timbermoose is offline
 
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thats why i only shoot wood or bamboo arrows. bend test them at every practice and before heading out to hunt.
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Old 12-23-2012, 10:51 AM
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Wood will do the same thing. I have broken wood and had it run up my hand, but luckily I just got scratched, not impaled.
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  #16  
Old 12-27-2012, 12:18 AM
Mutter87 Mutter87 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurt505 View Post
This is the exact reason I switched to ACC's and FMJ's. I switched before I had this happen. Just seeing the pics was enough for me to spend the extra cash on combination shafts.
What are "ACC's and FMJ's " ?
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Old 12-27-2012, 01:36 AM
MtnGiant MtnGiant is offline
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Does anyone know if these kevlar gloves can be bought in Calgary?
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  #18  
Old 12-27-2012, 01:56 AM
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wow. Thanks for the post. I will definitely be looking into those gloves. Any other safety precautions you guys recommend? Glasses of course.
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  #19  
Old 12-27-2012, 04:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mutter87 View Post
What are "ACC's and FMJ's " ?
I believe FMJ is a carbon and aluminum shaft and the ACC is an alloy core inside a carbon arrow.

FMJs are made by Easton, I'm not sure who makes the other shaft.
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  #20  
Old 12-27-2012, 08:14 AM
jcrayford jcrayford is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mutter87 View Post
What are "ACC's and FMJ's " ?
ACC - (A)luminum (C)arbon (C)onstruction, where there is an aluminum core, wrapped with carbon fibres....

FMJ - (F)ull (M)etal (J)acket, reversed construction from the ACC, carbon core wrapped by an aluminum tube....

I haven't shot the ACC's, but would imagine that they have similar characteristics (once bent, remain bent) but I'm only guessing at that....

J.
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  #21  
Old 12-30-2012, 02:22 AM
Kaze Kaze is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gustuphson View Post
I'm brand new to bow hunting. Do you guys wear safety gear religiously? Eye protection and some sort of gloves or is that generally unnecessary? I'll check out the links later - have I'd kids under six running my show right now...
I don't wear any safety gear other than a shooting glove and a forearm leather. Chances are if something goes wrong, it's because I wasn't paying attention or did something stupid.
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  #22  
Old 12-30-2012, 09:42 AM
32-40win 32-40win is offline
 
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ACC's can splinter same as a regular carbon. One thing with them, is dents are usually more easily visible, than they are on some regular carbons. But, they do usually last longer, before the bonding starts to deteriorate. If you are paranoid about a carbon arrow splintering, try the FMJ version or stick to aluminum.
All the carbon arrows break down eventually, they are not indestructable.
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  #23  
Old 01-04-2013, 01:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by petew View Post
Wood will do the same thing. I have broken wood and had it run up my hand, but luckily I just got scratched, not impaled.
X2...I have more broken wood arrows than all the rest combined


Neil
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  #24  
Old 03-16-2013, 01:23 PM
Nytronut Nytronut is offline
 
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Good points/reminders!
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  #25  
Old 03-16-2013, 07:24 PM
RoscoeP RoscoeP is offline
 
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Default Exact same thing

Quote:
Originally Posted by L.O.S.T.Arrow View Post
Excellent points here..just to add when flexing an arrow hold by nock behind vanes to flex not in front of vanes...we had a shooter shoot a broken arrow right at vanes ..flexed arrow in front of vanes seemed good so shot...blew up bow and left a mark on hand ...could have been much worse...

I have pictures of a half dozen hand shot now down in the USA...


Neil
I was shooting today at our club in Courtenay BC. When I got back from my round of 3-D and was talking to a guy from the base. His arrow broke when he shot and the cable/string derailed, no injuries. The arrow was broken off right in the middle of the vanes. It was a PSE radial X weave 300, they are pretty decent arrows, I have shot the 200's for a couple of years and they stand up pretty well. He said he had missed a target previous to this shot and hit a rock but didn't see any damage, but it would be hard to see in this area.
I checked all my arrows when I got home, and I am going to check my arrows every outing, better safe than sorry.
Cheers Roscoe
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  #26  
Old 03-18-2013, 07:52 PM
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Can anyone tell me what the average life span of a carbon arrow is before they fatigue?
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  #27  
Old 03-18-2013, 08:20 PM
jcrayford jcrayford is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jsak021 View Post
Can anyone tell me what the average life span of a carbon arrow is before they fatigue?
Sometimes only one shot (depending on what/how it hits), sometimes well over 100 shots... Or 1000.... Or ????

J.
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  #28  
Old 03-18-2013, 09:48 PM
DirkB DirkB is offline
 
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Scary ...
Carbon Express has a nice video on how to safely check arrows before use:
http://safearrow.com/
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  #29  
Old 03-18-2013, 10:12 PM
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By shooting at 5 spot targets lessen the chance of arrow to arrow impact damage.
Any little bit helps.
Plus as the previose posters put down Vigilance.
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Old 03-19-2013, 03:23 PM
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Reading this post probably saved me some serious problems. Out of 6 practice arrows 2 had cracks that I hadn't seen on visual inspection. One was close to the tip; one was under the wrap, heard it crack. The video is worth watching. If you are reading this, go check your arrows.

Thanks Don
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