You flex the bow, aim the arrow, take a deep breath and then release it. Whether it is the hunter crouching behind the bushes or the archer listening to the crowds cheer him on, there is no greater disappointment than when the shot fails because of faulty or inadequate equipment. For the archer or bowhunter, whether he is a novice or a weathered gizzard, choosing the right arrow blade is one of the most important things he could do to ensure success.

In today’s market, there is a huge variety of arrow blades to select from. When making a decision, the quality and price are of course important factors to be considered, but much more important is knowledge of the type of arrow blade that will be needed. An aspiring champion in an archery competition will need an entirely different kind of arrow blade than the serious bear hunter. Before arming yourself with a bow and arrow, first arm yourself with knowledge of this kind of weapon. Numerous books, blogs and magazines on archery are available, and most specialty archery stores provide professional or at least informed advice and suggestions on their products. Be aware that even within a certain category, there are subcategories. Hunting arrows, for example, while obviously meant for hunting, come in a large variety of size, strength, shape and quality. An arrow meant for a rabbit would mean barely a pinprick for a bear, though it would mean a whole lot more than a pinprick for the unfortunate soul who shot it.

The arrows most commonly used for hunting are judo points, broadheads and field tips. The type of game to be hunted determines what kind of arrow is needed. The judo point is a small arrow with spring wires and is most effective for small game like rabbits or birds since it doesn’t tear out too much flesh and is, in the case of a miss, easily found in the underbrush in which such animals usually hide. Broadheads are big arrowheads, usually made of steel, with sharp blades. In bygone days, these were used for war, where a quick kill is imperative. Today they are used mostly for the specialized hunting of big game like bears or deer. Nowadays there are even special mechanized broadheads that detach their blades with force upon impact. Since they are dangerous and heavy to use, not to mention expensive, broadheads are usually not recommended for the beginning hunter. Field tips are bullet shaped arrows with a very pronounced shoulder or rim, and are easier to use for someone just starting out with bowhunting. Their streamlined shape allows for high speeds and deep penetration while still allowing for easy removal.

Arrows used for the sport of archery are very different than those used for hunting. The emphasis is on the physics of shooting an arrow as straightly and as accurately as possible, with little regard for how much sound the bow will make or how deep the penetration of the arrow would be. The types of arrows most typically used by archers are bullet shaped arrow heads called target points, and are usually made of either aluminum or steel. Aluminum points are faster than the steel points because they are much lighter, but many archers still prefer the heavier steel arrow points as they presumably provide a better “feel” thanks to the extra weight. The bullet shape of the target point arrow is designed for two main purposes: The streamlined shape allows for a straight trajectory and minimizes wind resistance, while it also prevents the arrowhead from causing too much damage to the target butts or getting stuck in them.

Eons ago, our ancestors used bows and arrows to hunt, fight wars and compete with each other. While the arrows we use today have come a long way since then, it is still awe inspiring and exciting to use the same tools those people did ages ago. Whether your passion is hunting or archery competitions, choosing the right arrow blades make all the difference between that wonderful adrenaline rush that comes with success or the dampening disappointment of failure.