An arrow consists of a long and
thin shaft made formerly of wood and now also from aluminum or carbon
fiber composite. It is pointed or armed with an arrowhead at one end and
with a nock or notch in the other. Arrowheads fit hunting and military
purpose better than a mere point, which is mostly useful for
target-shooting. The main type of arrowheads used in medieval periods for
battle purposes were broadhead, swallowtail, bodkin, and pitch and tar
arrows for setting fire to the fields enemies were attacking on. Near the
notch end are vanes which keep the arrow pointed in the direction of
travel. There are often three vanes but many fletchings have four or even
more. They were originally made from feathers bound to the arrow's shaft,
but are now often made of plastic. Artisans who make arrows by hand are
known as "fletchers," a word related to the French word for arrow,
fleche.
To fletch an arrow means to provide it with its vanes. As an arrow flies
toward its target, its shaft will bend and flex from side to side, almost
like a fish swimming through water.
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