NORRIS ARCHERY

Carbon Tech Arrows - Custom Matching Process

After switching to Carbon arrows a number of years ago I continued searching for the highest quality shafts that I could use. I shot CX arrows for a couple of years and did quite well with them.

About the first quarter of 2001 I switched to Rick McKinney's CARBON TECH arrow shafts. I found the finish to be the best of all the Carbon shafts available. I feel the +/- .0015 extra precision straightness tolerance is the best in the industry. This is the fastest arrow I have ever shot and groups better than I can personally aim.

Before making my arrows I cut about 3/4 off each end of the CT Cheetah 3-D shaft I am using. I don't know if this really helps my arrow matching but I personally feel that any manufacture flaws would be at the ends of the shaft. Once I have cut my shafts at each end, I pull a 22 caliber cleaning rag through the shaft cleaning as much carbon dust out of the inside as possible.

Then I glue in my McKinney Aluminum Nock Adapter into the arrow shafts (Easton G-Nock adapters and nocks can also be used) with Goat Tough Quick adhesive to keep the inserts in. I started using Rick McKinney's nocks and nock adapters because of their consistency and quality of manufacturing. Rick personally told me that his nocks are made in a custom die - only 4 nocks at a time and allowed to cool longer than the competitors' nocks. This allows the nock to cure properly and remain the best straightness in the archery industry.

After allowing everything to set for awhile I then clean each shaft with a clean white rag and denatured alcohol or acetone. I like to use a quick cresting wrap below the nock. I prefer a plain white "quick dip" and cut them about 3/4 inch longer than my vanes. Once installed I will fletch right on top of the "quick dip".

I use Flex Fletch vanes because they outlast every other vane I have tested and have the most consistent bases and physical weight from batch to batch. Flex Fletch vanes are molded, not extruded and stamped to shape like most vanes. You can not beat the Goat Tough adhesive produced by my friend of over 30 years, Tim Sizemore. I seal each end of my vanes with a drop of Flex Bond Glue.

Using my electronic digital grain scale (accurate to within one tenth grain) I weigh my points, write down the weight and place them on the table from lightest to heaviest (sometimes this can be as much as a grain). Then I weigh each fletched arrow which I have already cut to my personal length, writing down the weight and then setting them in order from lightest to heaviest. After matching my points to my fletched arrows, heaviest point to lightest fletched arrow I get ready to install my points. I first find the heaviest combination of point and arrow and install the point with Bohning PowerBond. I write down the fletched arrow weight, including point and PowerBond glue of this heaviest combination.

Now I match my other arrows to this same weight by adding a little extra power bond inside the shaft, if necessary. Once all my fletched arrows with points installed have set overnight to allow the PowerBond to fully set up, I re-weigh all arrows. If I find any arrows a couple of tenths of a grain off I will add another drop of glue to the back end of each fletch to make sure they all weigh the same.

I charge $25.00 per dozen to go through this weighing and matching process in addition to the normal cost of arrows. In my "mind" it is worth it as I know that I have eliminated another variable. I started doing this many years ago as I found a difference of as much as 20 grains in many arrow shafts out of the same dozen sent from the manufacturer. McKinney's Carbon Tech Arrow shafts have had the closest physical arrow shaft weights I have tested and found.

I don't think the average bow hunter need worry about grain weight matching to closer than 4 or 5 grains. I still provide the service to many bow hunters throughout the country every year. I do think that any serious or even semi-serious 3-D, NFAA field archer or NAA Target archer should consider this part of their personal set up. I think this type of competitor should be +/- 2 tenths of one grain.