The Ultimate Guide to Arrow Spine: Understanding Arrow Spine Chart and Choosing the Right Arrows

When archers talk about getting the perfect shot, they often mention draw weight, arrow length, or point weight. But there’s one often-overlooked factor that can drastically impact your arrow flight, consistency, and accuracy—arrow spine.

In this guide, we’ll cover what arrow spine means, why it matters, and how to read and use an arrow spine chart to select the best arrows for your recurve bow setup. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned archer in India, this guide will help you make informed decisions.

What Is Arrow Spine?

Despite the common confusion, it's arrow spine, not "arrow spin." Spine refers to the stiffness of the arrow shaft—how much it flexes when force is applied.

There are two types:

• Static Spine: How much the shaft bends under a 1.94 lb weight at a 28-inch span.

• Dynamic Spine: How the arrow behaves when actually shot—this varies based on draw weight, arrow length, point weight, and bow type.

✅ Lower spine number = stiffer arrow
✅ Higher spine number = more flexible arrow

For example:

• A 500 spine arrow is stiffer than a 700 spine arrow.

Why Arrow Spine Matters

Choosing the right spine value is crucial because it determines how well your arrow will:

• Flex and recover during flight

• Clear the riser without contact

• Group tightly at distance

• Resist erratic behavior in wind

Mismatched Arrow Spine Can Cause:

How Arrow Spine Is Measured

Arrow manufacturers measure static spine by:

1. Supporting the shaft at two points 28 inches apart

2. Hanging a 1.94 lb weight in the middle

3. Measuring the deflection in thousandths of an inch

So:

• 400 spine = bends 0.400 inches (stiff)

• 700 spine = bends 0.700 inches (flexible)

Arrow Spine Chart for Recurve Bows (India)

To make arrow spine selection easier, here’s a recurve arrow spine chart tailored for Indian archers:

How to Use the Arrow Spine Chart

1. Measure Your Draw Weight
   Use a bow scale to measure draw weight at full draw. Spine charts assume 28 inches—adjust accordingly.

2. Measure Arrow Length
   Longer arrows need a more flexible spine. Do this before cutting your shafts.

3. Determine Point Weight
   Heavier tips increase dynamic spine (i.e., make arrows bend more). Compensate with stiffer shafts if needed.

4. Tune and Test
   Paper tuning and bare shaft testing help you confirm if your spine choice is ideal.

Tips for Choosing the Best Arrow Spine for Recurve Bows

• If you’re in doubt, go slightly stiffer—you can adjust with point weight or arrow length.

• For beginner archers, softer arrows (higher spine value like 700–900) help build confidence.

• Arrows like Easton Inspire, Avalon Tyro, Sanlida Victory are beginner-friendly options available in India with clear spine labeling.

Best Arrow Spine Brands Available in India

Here are some popular arrow brands available in the Indian market known for spine consistency:

• Easton

• Avalon

• Sanlida

• WNS

• Maximal

• Gehmann

• Skylon

You can shop for arrows with the right spine value on ArcheryKart or visit your local archery pro shop for recommendations.

Common FAQs About Arrow Spine

Q: Can I use 600 spine arrows with a 30 lb bow?
A: Yes, especially if your arrow length is 29"+ or you're using a heavy point.

Q: Is spine the same for compound and recurve bows?
A: No. Compound bows use release aids and have different force curves, usually requiring stiffer shafts.

Q: Where can I buy correctly spined arrows in India?
A: You can explore a curated collection on ArcheryKart or visit your local archery pro shop.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the correct arrow spine is one of the most important steps in tuning your recurve bow setup. A well-matched spine value enhances your arrow flight, accuracy, and confidence on the range.

Keep this arrow spine chart handy, test before cutting your shafts, and if you're buying arrows online, look for shops that allow customization or spine filtering.