Unfortunately, I don't think there's a universal answer. Obviously, if you cut enough, you can get below the damaged area, but I don't know how to determine exactly where the damage starts/stops. Carbon arrows are terrific, and terrible, at the same time.

 

I would cut a small amount off first - not more than 1/4". IF the crack(s) extend beyond that, you should be able to see them with careful examination of the cut. I've had numerous cracks at the nock end of arrows, but generally they are very shallow, and taking off 1/4" +/- solves the problem, and has a minimal impact on the point of impact. You can cut more off too - IF necessary, but it will change the arrow's point of impact, especially at longer distances. Just be absolutely certain that any cut-off arrow is adequately long enough to extend beyond the rest support at full draw enough so that it will not fall off! I often designate such arrows to carry blunts or judos for stump shooting. Good luck!

 

I'd junk the arrow for fear it would end up in my hand.

 

That's where I'm leaning.

Thanks guys. I'll ask my pro shop to look at them.

Woodshed

 

I've seen pictures (on here) of splinters in guys hands, it doesn't look worth it to me.--BB

 

Don't know a ton but I figure my Co-Pay on my insurance is way more than an arrow and the pain even ups the price more. Pitch it and get a new one

 

Great advice here, imo it's not worth the risk.

 

Arrow's are cheaper than a doctor bill plus the day's missed from work..

 

It's not worth the trouble. You'll end up with a lighter stiffer arrow that you may or may not have "fixed."

 

Junk em, no question here.

 

def junk them, even if you get the arrows cut down where there isn't any cracks your arrow is now shorter then the rest of them which equals accuracy problems. the other side is you don't get them cut out the arrow blows up maybe in you hand maybe not. you possibly ruin a cam from it. so in my humble opinion junk the arrow.

 

WELL how long are the cracks?? if its just a small 1/8" or so id cut little off and put another nock in and flex the ends, while holding nock and center of shaft flex and rotate. if there small cracks that arent long you can cut to get to solid shaft...

if there too long then ya prolly hafta cut too much and then there too short... ive cut small amounts off backs of arrows before, all dpends severity....

 

Well, before we can recommend a course of action, we need to know the answers to a few more questions, all on a scale of 1-10: 1 being "low", and 10 being "high"

What is your health insurance deductible?
What is your tolerance to extreme pain?
Does the sight of your own blood make you feel faint? What if that sight is combined with muscle, tendon, and bone exposed to view?
Can you drive a stick-shift rapidly in an Emergency-situation, under duress, with your "off" hand?

 

LOL!! I get it... I get it! Thanks for the clarity. I will NOT use these,,, it's not worth it!

If in doubt... throw it out

Woodshed

 

cut them take small needle nose pliers put in end pull handle of pliers away from each other(not too hard)inspect arrow to see if there are cracks.pliers will pull any cracks apart.as far as carbon exploding or splintering when shooting i would of loved to see what arrows looked like before shot.i have shot arrows with cracks going down middle of shaft(not knowing and yes should of checked them) but arrow stay together for multiple shots but didn't fly right.

 

My old Gunny used to say " It only takes a nickel more to first class...so spend the nickel"...many here have warned of the possibility of carbon splinters in your body...what's the price of an assured and complete arrow worth to you versus the idea it may splinter into a part of your body worth...I would rather chalk up the busted arrow as a "robin hood" or a nock strike than a reminder of an ER visit...

 

I retired these and they are only chipped. These could probably be cut down. I find the quality of the VAP Elites excellent.

 

I used to shoot brittle arrows that cracked all the time and I cut off the bad part and kept shooting them, I used a drill bit that was slightly smaller than my shaft to insert and then slightly bend the arrow after trimming it to see if the crack was still hiding and most of the time it wasn't and the shaft was perfect but sometimes it would still be there.

 

I see a lot of the trash pictures of arrows and pieces of arrows in people's hand have well scared the ignorant.

You can trace damn near all those pictures back to "empty headed" people. One I know for sure came from a person using a arrow so short it fell off the rest. Another came from a person who actually broke a arrow and put it in his quiver. Later, on another 3D target he absent mindedly pulled that broken arrow from his quiver and, yep, a hospital trip was required. Today that incident ticks me off as the person collected on the club's insurance for his stupidity. Another caught before tragedy; I was looking over a friend's log arrows and felt something not right under the fancy wrap. Friend was right there when I flexed the arrow and snapped it off. Beyond doubt if not for the wrap the damage would have been well apparent.

I've cut perhaps a 100 arrows both at the nock and point end and those arrows came out good. Maybe too short, but good use for short draw people or kids. I find where the damage is, cut it there to see. I then cut the arrow again about 1/4" past the damaged section. I'm not the only to cut arrows. One person at a club I'm a member of checks over the "arrow barrel" and selects arrows that would pass the test and trashes the others. Many a kid has enjoyed those cut down free arrows.