Arrow Spine Explained: How to Match Arrows to Your Traditional Bow
By: TTT Archery
Choosing the correct arrow spine is one of the most important—and misunderstood—parts of traditional archery. Whether you shoot a longbow, recurve, or ASL‑style bow, arrow spine directly affects accuracy, penetration, and consistency.
In this guide, we’ll break down what arrow spine really means, how it behaves differently with traditional bows, and how to select the correct spine for your setup using a practical spine chart.
What Is Arrow Spine?
Arrow spine refers to how stiff or flexible an arrow shaft is when force is applied. In traditional archery, spine determines how well the arrow bends around the riser during the shot—a phenomenon known as archer’s paradox.
- Too stiff → arrows impact left (right‑handed shooter)
- Too weak → arrows impact right
- Correct spine → clean flight, tight groups, better penetration
Unlike compound bows, traditional bows rely heavily on dynamic spine, which changes based on how the arrow is built and shot.
Static Spine vs Dynamic Spine
Static Spine
- Measured by suspending a shaft and applying weight
- Expressed as numbers like 400, 500, 600, 700
- Lower number = stiffer arrow
Dynamic Spine
- How the arrow behaves when shot
- Influenced by:
- Draw weight at your draw length
- Arrow length
- Point weight
- Bow type and riser cut
- String material
Traditional bows are far more sensitive to dynamic spine than compounds.
Why Bow Type Matters
Different traditional bows require different spine ranges—even at the same draw weight.
ASL (American Semi-Longbow)
- Typically less center‑cut
- Require weaker spine arrows
- More forgiving with wood and heavier shafts
Recurve Bows
- Often cut closer to center
- Can handle stiffer arrows
- More tolerant of carbon shafts
Longbow
- Hybrid design
- Spine needs fall between longbow and recurve
- Sensitive to point weight changes
Traditional Arrow Spine Chart
Use this chart as a starting point, assuming:
- 28″ draw length
- 29″ arrow length
- 125–145 grain point
- D97 Flemish String with silencers (TTT Strings)
| Draw Weight (lbs) | ASL Spine | Longbow Spine | Recurve Spine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30–35 | 700–800 | 600–700 | 600 |
| 35–40 | 600–700 | 600 | 500–600 |
| 40–45 | 600 | 500–600 | 500 |
| 45–50 | 500–600 | 500 | 400–500 |
| 50–55 | 500 | 400–500 | 400 |
| 55–60 | 400–500 | 400 | 340–400 |
📌 Important: If your arrows are longer than 30″, or you shoot heavier points, you may need to stiffen spine. Shorter arrows or lighter points require weaker spine.
How Point Weight Affects Spine
Point weight has a massive impact on dynamic spine:
- Heavier points weaken spine
- Lighter points stiffen spine
A change of 50 grains can shift dynamic spine by one full spine group in traditional setups.
If you need to purchase a variety of point weights so you have a test kit on hand, check out – Ghost Forge Stainless Steel Field Points
This is why many traditional archers fine‑tune arrow flight by adjusting point weight rather than changing shafts.
Common Arrow Spine Mistakes
- Choosing arrows based only on draw weight
- Ignoring arrow length
- Using compound spine charts for traditional bows
- Over‑spining carbon arrows “just in case”
- Skipping bare shaft tuning
Arrow spine is not guesswork—it’s physics.
How to Fine‑Tune Your Arrow Spine
Once you’re close using the chart:
- Bare shaft tune – Bareshaft Tuning Video
- Adjust point weight first
- Trim arrow length only if necessary
- Confirm with broadheads if hunting
Perfect arrow flight should look boring—straight, quiet, and repeatable.
Final Thoughts
Matching arrow spine to your traditional bow is the foundation of accuracy. When spine is correct, everything else—form, tuning, and confidence—falls into place.
If you’re unsure between two spine options, err slightly weaker for longbows and slightly stiffer for recurves.
At TTT Archery, we believe proper arrow selection is just as important as the bow itself.