There are several different kinds of arrow heads for different uses. Broadheads for hunting, blunt heads for target shooting (those are less likely to damage the arrow), field heads for small game hunting, fish heads for spear fishing.

This arrow point is known as a "Jack's Reef" corner-notched point. It is common in the Middle Woodland era of coastal NH, from around 500 - 700 AD. It is distinctive because most are made from a mustard-yellow colored stone called jasper. Indians may have traded this material all the way from Pennsylvania.
This arrow head, technically called a projectile point is of the type used throughout New England and south along eastern North America. This Levanne Triangle projectile point dates from the Late Woodland period, about 1,000- 1,500 AD.

More Projectile Points

Scales and Arrowheads     Living in the swamps and wetlands of South Florida the Seminole Indians had a problem. Other Indians living in plains and mountain areas had access to flint and other types of stone from which they could fashion arrowheads used for defense and hunting. The bayous, swamps, and wetlands of Florida had no such sources for stone arrowhead material.    There are 5 major shapes of the scales on the gar, the majority are of the shape shown in the picture on the right, which is a natural arrowhead shape. The Seminoles used these naturally very hard scales for the heads or their arrows and lances.

Arrowheads in Warfare

• Barbed arrowheads-these would make arrow removal difficult.
• Small Triangular tips-used to pierce chain-mail armour.
• Half-moot tips-used to cut through the rigging of opposing ships

Blunt Heads

Field Heads

Fishing Heads

Hunting Broadheads

   Once you have a bow and have matched the arrow weight and stiffness to match the bow, you will have to consider what broadhead to use. Broadheads should remain sharp with minor contact with the quiver. More importantly they should remain sharp as they do their work in the game rather than dulling before sufficient penitration is achieved. Broadheads are designed to cause bleeding because they do not have the shock factor that a bullet has.

   Short and wide blades tend to chop and require more energy for penetration while long narrow blades slice and require less energy with greater penetration.

   When choosing broadheads consider flight characteristics. It doesn't matter how high of a penetration ratio a broad has if it doesn't fly correctly in conjunction with the arrow. On a well tuned bow with the right arrow shaft, a broadhead will have very little wind plane. Aerodynamic steering is mostly a function of blade width and whether or not the blades are in line with the actual plane of the arrow shaft. A broadhead with a high penetration ratio, narrow blades and with the blades lined up correctly is not likely to steer an arrow.

Thunderhead 125 Grains Broadhead from New Archery Products Slimline® Low Drag Ferrule, scooped out sides. Superior penetration, maximum strength. Hardened High Carbon Steel Trophy Tip® cuts on impact. Lock Ring ''O'' Ring Blade Retention System, perfect head alignment, cushions blades on impact. 0.027'' thick stainless steel blades. 125 gr.

   Broadheads with multiple blades will increase the chances of blood vessels being hit. More blades will also increase cutting in the capulary system and cause more bleeding. The more internal bleeding our arrow and broadhead combination causes the better.

   The arrow must not be dominated by the broadhead. Balance is the key to good flying, accurate arrows.

Rocky Mountain® Snyper 100 Grains Broadheads (Pack of 3) from Barrie Archery Broadheads Two blade open-on-impact design. Comes assembled with rearward sliding/expanding blades that eliminate defection on angled hits. Cut-on-impact tip 5/8 closed, 1 3/8 expanded cutting diameter. 2 blades, 100 gr.

Pro Series Spitfire 100 Grains Broadheads from New Archery Products The Pro Series Spitfire Mechanical Broadheads have nickel-plated points that are 50% harder than stainless steel. Micro-grooved ferrule for maximum penetration. Sharp .030 thick stainless steel blades. 100 gr.