Measuring Wood Arrow Spine with the Ace Spine Master

Arrow spine is the measurement of how much the arrow shaft bends, or deflects. It is one of the most important attributes of an arrow and will influence how the arrow flies from the traditional bow and where the arrow impacts the target.
For accurate shooting, you'll need to have matched arrows in both spine and grain weight. A stiff arrow (heavy spine) will tend to fly nock right from the bow (for a right handed shooter) and hit left of the intended mark. A weak arrow (lite spine) will tend to fly nock left and impact to the right. Future videos will cover arrow tuning for perfect flight from a longbow, recurve, or self bow.
The Ace Spine Master is a great tool for measuring arrow spine for accurately grouping shafts. These tools are available from www.3RiversArchery.com
Website: www.twistedstave.com/
Facebook: / clayhayeshunter
Instagram: / clayhayeshunter

[@tradron]

Thanks, Clay. Well - done.

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

Very good 👍 Great explanation as always

[@volcanowb]

Cool!

[@SwiftwoodBows]

I need to get me one of those spine testers. I just got my first set of cane shafts. Looking forward to trying them out. Don't tell Carson!

[@clayhayeshunter]

haha, Carson already knows I've got a bunch! a spine tester is a must though.

[@ARABARCHERYTV]

Do you have videos talk about measurements of the arrow spine tester ( how is it work ) if you don't have please talk about it

[@ivanbrown7905]

Hey there, I'm sorry to big ya bit I'll ask nevertheless. I got the 203 Ace today. To late to call anybody I figure. Question is and not in instructions is: Where/how far do you put arrow shaft between points to get accurate spine measurement from from? Thanks again for your consideration have a good night

[@tradbowyer1975]

great vid thanks! so when you test the spine and they are off alittle do you sand the shaft to make it spine where it needs to be?

[@clayhayeshunter]

With cane, you can just rotate the shaft to fine tune spine. With wood, I’d just group it with other shaft of the same spine.

[@danielrollins7426]

Where do you purchase in bulk? How expensive might it be?

[@dylanjames2844]

Question - does a standard spine tester work regardless of arrow length? I'm looking at getting a long-draw (36in) eastern style bow and want to make my own arrows because I can't seem to find shafts long enough. Would I need an entirely different way to test the spine?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yes it would work. All wood shafts are spined on a 28”span regardless of draw length. Check out the tuning video for an explanation of how arrow length, draw length, and other factors affect the arrow in flight.

[@gregggibson9391]

Hey Clay, I've noticed you use and reference to arrows made of cane. I would be interested in learning more about the processed used with this material. Do you find it superior to wood?

[@clayhayeshunter]

More to come.

[@dariuswhite3002]

​@@clayhayeshunter does a 11/32 and a 5/16 35-40 spine out the same even if on shaft is a little thicket

[@SatansShockTroop]

Clay. Your videos have helped me very much brother. I really appreciate you. So, If I wanted to make my own cedar shafts, can I reduce stiffness through sanding to reduce diam. or...? I have a huge atlantic Cedar here, baby cedars in my field, Many Ash trees, an Ancient Black Walnut in my yard, Stag-horn sumacs (cane type shafts?) Silver and sugar maples too. and some strange tree in my field who's lower branches are simply clusters of 4 or 5 inch reddish thorn spikes. I guess with no exp. that its a honey locust. Any of this make good shafts as I want to learn what you teach, before the internet book burning comes for us all, erasing all knowledge. (its already happening) Note: I have only purchased 2 sets of arrows thus far, and my 400s are close to perfect for me, and my recurve. I shoot a 45# recurve. I have 500s but don't like them much. they req. a full draw every time, or they hit dirt.

[@clayhayeshunter]

500s are just lower spine meaning they flex more. I’d look into some natural shoot shafts like cane, sparkle berry, viburnum, etc.

[@billnordby3142]

Most have not a clue. They call it spline to start

[@AFCAWorldBodybuildingArchive]

Although I totally accept all these psrameters in archery, when talking about primitive or traditional archery, I believe in the philosophy of a stick throwing another stick :D Not overcomplicating things.

[@clayhayeshunter]

You can certainly do it that way with absolutely no regard to matching the arrows to the bow. But for consistency and accuracy, having a well matched set is critical.

[@kevinrodriguez2067]

having an improper spine and arrow tuning could mean you're technique might be perfect but you're still not hitting your mark consistently, you could shoot a stick from another stick but you can't expect miracles like that!

[@clayhayeshunter]

exactly!