Archery term
Bare Shaft
What does Bare Shaft mean?
A bare shaft is an arrow shaft without fletching. In a bare-shaft tuning test, an archer compares how one or more unfletched arrows land against fletched arrows shot from the same bow at a safe, known distance. The result is one tuning clue, affected by form, distance, and setup.
Primary source for this term: Easton Arrow Tuning and Maintenance Guide (Rev. 4, 4/99)
Why it matters
The difference in impact can help diagnose tuning, but it is not a stand-alone verdict: form, release, spine, nocking point, and distance also affect the result. Follow an established tuning method for your bow type, and do not use damaged or under-spined shafts.
What to check
- Use matched arrows and a controlled test at a safe, known distance.
- Keep the test within the bow maker’s setup and range procedures.
- Treat the result as one clue; form and setup also affect impact.