Editing Arrow (section)

=== Shaft ===
[[Image:Easton Carbon One 900.png|thumb|A side profile of an Easton Carbon One arrow with a spine of 900, taken with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The arrow is a bond of two carbon tubes, an inner and an outer tube (black wires). In between both carbon layers, another fiber is used (white fiber). This second fiber is an Mg-Al-Si-fiber. The "white" fiber is twisted around the inner carbon tube. The fibers of the carbon tubes are not twisted, to ensure a maximum of possible mechanical tension of the arrow. The Mg-Al-Si-fiber enhances the flexibility of the arrow. The diameter of a single carbon fiber is approx. 7&nbsp;μm.]]
The shaft is the primary structural element of the arrow, to which the other components are attached. Traditional arrow shafts are made from strong, lightweight [[wood]], [[bamboo]], or [[Phragmites|reeds]], while modern shafts may be made from [[aluminium]], [[carbon fibre reinforced plastic]], or a combination of materials. Such shafts are typically made from an [[aluminium]] core wrapped with a [[carbon fibre]] outer. A traditional premium material is [[Port Orford Cedar]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Stickbow|url=http://www.stickbow.com/FEATURES/ARROWMAKING/wood.cfm|website=Stickbow.com|access-date=10 February 2018}}</ref>

==== Spine ====
The [[stiffness]] of the shaft is known as its ''spine'', referring to how little the shaft bends when compressed, hence an arrow which bends less is said to have more spine.  In order to strike consistently, a group of arrows must be similarly spined. "Center-shot" bows, in which the arrow passes through the central vertical axis of the bow riser, may obtain consistent results from arrows with a wide range of spines. However, most traditional bows are not center-shot and the arrow has to deflect around the handle in the [[archer's paradox]]; such bows tend to give most consistent results with a narrower range of arrow spine that allows the arrow to deflect correctly around the bow.  Bows with higher draw weight will generally require stiffer arrows, with more spine (less flexibility) to give the correct amount of flex when shot.

==== GPI rating ====
The weight of an arrow shaft can be expressed in GPI ([[Grain (unit)|grains]] per [[inch]]).<ref>GPI explained by [http://www.huntersfriend.com/carbon_arrows/whatsthis3.htm an arrow vendor] (referred to from [https://www.huntersfriend.com/carbon-arrow-mass-speed-kinetic-energy-research-guide.html their listing of carbon arrows])</ref> The length of a shaft in [[inch]]es multiplied by its GPI rating gives the weight of the shaft in grains. For example, a shaft that is {{convert|30|inch}} long and has a GPI of 9.5 weighs {{convert|285|gr|g|0|abbr=off|lk=out}}. This does not include the other elements of a finished arrow, so a complete arrow will be heavier than the shaft alone.

==== Footed arrows ====
Sometimes a shaft will be made of two different types of wood fastened together, resulting in what is known as a footed arrow. Known by some as the finest of wood arrows,<ref name="Langston">{{cite book |last=Langston |first=Gene |title=The Traditional Bowyer's Bible - Volume Three |year=1994 |publisher=The Lyons Press |location=Guilford |isbn=1-58574-087-X |chapter=Custom Shafts }}</ref> footed arrows were used both by early Europeans and [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]]. Footed arrows will typically consist of a short length of [[hardwood]] near the head of the arrow, with the remainder of the shaft consisting of [[softwood]]. By reinforcing the area most likely to break, the arrow is more likely to survive impact, while maintaining overall flexibility and lighter weight.

====Barreled arrow shafts====
A barreled arrow shaft is one that tapers in diameter bi-directionally. This allows for an arrow that has an optimum weight yet retains enough strength to resist flex.

Barreled arrow shafts are considered the zenith of pre-industrial archery technology, reaching their peak design among the [[Ottoman Turks|Ottomans]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eastonarchery.com/2018/12/arrow-shaft-design-and-performance/|title=Arrow Shaft Design and Performance|date=December 4, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.turkishculture.org/lifestyles/turkish-culture-portal/turkish-flight-arrows-554.htm|title=Turkish Flight Arrows|website=www.turkishculture.org}}</ref>