How to identify carbon arrows from glass fiber arrows

Whether you’re buying used arrows, inheriting a set, or simply verifying your equipment, knowing how to distinguish carbon fiber from fiberglass arrows is essential. While both are popular arrow materials, their performance, durability, and maintenance needs differ drastically—misidentifying them can lead to poor shooting results or safety risks (e.g., using a fiberglass arrow with a high-power compound bow). The good news? You don’t need specialized tools to tell them apart—just a keen eye and simple hands-on checks. This guide walks you through step-by-step methods to identify carbon fiber vs. fiberglass arrows, from visual cues to weight and flexibility tests.​

Key Differences to Guide Identification​

Before diving into specific checks, recall the core material properties that set them apart (from our previous comparison):​

• Carbon Fiber: Lightweight, rigid, hollow, with a woven or matte finish.​

• Fiberglass: Heavier, flexible, often solid (or thick-walled), with a smooth or glossy finish.​

These properties translate to distinct visual and tactile clues—use them to narrow down the material.​

1. Visual Inspection: The First (and Easiest) Step​

Start with a close visual exam—most arrows reveal their material with simple observations:​

Carbon Fiber Arrow Visual Cues​

• Finish & Texture:​

• Matte or semi-matte surface (not glossy) with a subtle woven pattern (like fine fabric) visible under light. This is the signature of carbon fiber filaments.​

• Common colors: Solid black (most popular), camo patterns, or metallic hues (e.g., silver, gray)—but the woven texture is visible regardless of color.​

• Shaft Design:​

• Thin, sleek profile (standard diameter: 0.244–0.284 inches; micro-diameter: 0.166–0.204 inches).​

• Hollow end (visible if the insert is removed)—the inner diameter (ID) is clean and smooth, with no visible fiber strands.​

• Markings:​

• Brand logos (e.g., Easton, Carbon Express, Victory) often include “carbon” or “CF” in the name (e.g., “Easton Carbon One,” “Victory VAP Carbon”).​

• Spine ratings (300–700) are clearly printed—carbon arrows have precise, consistent spine markings.​

Fiberglass Arrow Visual Cues​

• Finish & Texture:​

• Glossy or semi-glossy surface (plastic-like sheen) with a uniform appearance—no woven pattern. Fiberglass strands are embedded in resin, so the surface looks smooth.​

• Common colors: Bright hues (e.g., red, yellow, green) for youth arrows, or solid earth tones (brown, black) for adult models. Some have a marbled effect from mixed fiber strands.​

• Shaft Design:​

• Thicker, bulkier profile (standard diameter: 0.284–0.300 inches)—fiberglass arrows are rarely micro-diameter.​

• Solid or thick-walled construction—if the insert is removed, the ID is narrow and may show visible glass fiber strands (white or translucent).​

• Markings:​

• Brand names may include “fiberglass” or “FG” (e.g., “Bohning Fiberglass Practice Arrows”).​

• Spine ratings (400–900) are often less prominent—fiberglass arrows have broader spine ranges.​

2. Weight Test: Feel the Difference​

Carbon fiber and fiberglass arrows have distinct weight profiles—you can often tell them apart by lifting a single arrow:​

Carbon Fiber Arrow Weight​

• Lightweight: 5–8 grains per inch (gpi). For a 30-inch arrow, this equals 150–240 grains (without tip/nock/fletching).​

• Feel: Feels “light” and balanced in your hand—easy to swing or hold steady. When dropped gently (onto a soft surface), it makes a hollow, resonant sound.​

Fiberglass Arrow Weight​

• Heavier: 8–12 grains per inch (gpi). For a 30-inch arrow, this equals 240–360 grains (without tip/nock/fletching).​

• Feel: Feels “dense” or “solid” in your hand—has more heft when lifted. When dropped gently, it makes a dull, thudding sound (no resonance).​

Quick Weight Test (No Scale Needed):​

• Hold one carbon and one fiberglass arrow (same length) side by side. The fiberglass arrow will feel noticeably heavier—even to beginners.​

• For a single arrow: If it feels light enough to “float” in your hand, it’s likely carbon. If it feels like holding a solid rod, it’s fiberglass.​

3. Flexibility Test: Bend (Gently!) to Verify​

Carbon fiber’s rigidity and fiberglass’s flexibility are dead giveaways—use a gentle flex test to confirm:​

How to Perform the Flex Test:​

1. Hold the arrow at both ends (nock and tip) with your thumbs and forefingers.​

2. Apply gentle, even pressure to the center of the shaft—bend it slightly (never force it to avoid damage).​

3. Release and observe how it reacts.​

Carbon Fiber Arrow Flex​

• Rigid: Resists bending—you’ll feel significant tension when applying pressure.​

• Recovery: Snaps back to straight immediately after releasing—no “give” or permanent bend.​

• Warning: Carbon fiber is brittle—stop bending if you feel excessive resistance (it can snap if over-flexed).​

Fiberglass Arrow Flex​

• Flexible: Bends easily with minimal pressure—feels “springy” or “pliant.”​

• Recovery: Returns to straight slowly, or may hold a slight bend temporarily (can be straightened with gentle heat).​

• Note: Fiberglass rarely snaps during gentle flex—its strength lies in flexibility.​

4. Cross-Section Check: Look Inside (If Possible)

If you can remove the insert (tip end) or nock (nock end), inspecting the cross-section is the most definitive test:​

Carbon Fiber Arrow Cross-Section​

• Hollow: The shaft is a thin-walled tube with a wide inner diameter (ID).​

• Inner Surface: Smooth, clean, and uniform—no visible fibers (carbon filaments are bonded tightly with resin).​

• Wall Thickness: Thin (1–2mm)—contributes to the arrow’s lightweight design.​

Fiberglass Arrow Cross-Section​

• Solid or Thick-Walled: Most fiberglass arrows are solid (especially practice/youth models) or have a very narrow ID (thick walls).​

• Inner Surface: If hollow, the ID may show loose glass fiber strands (white, translucent, or fuzzy).​

• Wall Thickness: Thick (3–5mm)—adds to the arrow’s heft and durability.​

Pro Tip:​

If you don’t want to remove the insert/nock, shine a flashlight into the nock groove (nock end) or tip end (if the tip is removed). Carbon arrows will show a hollow, dark interior—fiberglass arrows will show a solid or narrow interior.​

5. Sound Test: Tap to Listen​

The material’s density affects the sound it makes when tapped—this is a quick secondary check:​

Carbon Fiber Arrow Sound​

• Tap the shaft gently with your fingernail or a small tool (e.g., arrow nock).​

• Sound: Clear, resonant “ting” or “ring”—like tapping a hollow metal tube.​

• Reason: Hollow carbon shafts vibrate freely, producing a sharp, resonant sound.​

Fiberglass Arrow Sound​

• Tap the shaft gently with your fingernail or a small tool.​

• Sound: Dull, muted “thud” or “clunk”—no resonance.​

• Reason: Solid or thick-walled fiberglass absorbs vibration, producing a flat sound.​

6. Price & Context Clues​

While not definitive, price and intended use can help confirm your identification:​

• Carbon Fiber Arrows:​

• Sold individually or in spine-matched sets (6–12 arrows).​

• Price: ​5–20 per arrow (too expensive for casual practice or youth use).​

• Context: Marketed for hunting, target shooting, or competitive archery.​

• Fiberglass Arrows:​

• Sold in bulk sets (6–12 arrows) at budget prices.​

• Price: ​2–8 per arrow (affordable for beginners or rough use).​

• Context: Marketed for practice, youth shooters, or traditional archery.​

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Identifying​

• Mistake 1: Confusing Woven Fiberglass with Carbon Fiber: Some fiberglass arrows have a fake woven pattern—check weight and flexibility to confirm (fiberglass is heavier and more flexible).​

• Mistake 2: Assuming All Black Arrows Are Carbon: Fiberglass arrows can be black—use the flex test or cross-section check to verify.​

• Mistake 3: Over-Flexing Carbon Arrows: Carbon fiber snaps easily—apply only gentle pressure during the flex test.​

• Mistake 4: Ignoring Markings: Always check for “carbon” or “fiberglass” in the brand name—manufacturers rarely mislabel these materials.​

Final Identification Checklist (Quick Reference)​

Use this checklist to confirm arrow type in 60 seconds:​

1. Visual: Woven texture = carbon; glossy/smooth = fiberglass.​

2. Weight: Light (5–8 gpi) = carbon; heavy (8–12 gpi) = fiberglass.​

3. Flex: Rigid = carbon; flexible = fiberglass.​

4. Sound: Resonant “ting” = carbon; dull “thud” = fiberglass.​

5. Cross-Section: Hollow = carbon; solid/thick-walled = fiberglass.​

6. Markings: “Carbon/CF” = carbon; “Fiberglass/FG” = fiberglass.​

Conclusion​

Identifying carbon fiber vs. fiberglass arrows is simple with a mix of visual, tactile, and sound checks. Start with the woven texture (carbon) or glossy finish (fiberglass), confirm with weight and flexibility, and use cross-section or sound tests for certainty. Knowing the material ensures you use the right arrow for your bow and shooting goals—avoiding poor performance or safety risks.​

Whether you’re a beginner sorting your first set of arrows or a seasoned archer buying used equipment, these tips will help you confidently distinguish between carbon fiber and fiberglass. With practice, you’ll be able to tell them apart at a glance—saving time and ensuring you get the most out of your archery gear.​