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Pros and Cons of Line-Cutter Arrows

The great advantage of line-cutter arrows is, of course, that the thicker shaft will make a larger hole in the target, and the larger the hole, the greater your chance of touching (cutting) the scoring line and picking up a few extra points. It doesn't take a lot if these extra points to add up to a big difference when the trophies and certificates are handed out at the awards ceremony.

However, there are a few negatives to consider before you shell out your hard-earned dosh for a set of line-cutters. The first and most obvious is the cost. FatBoys are considerably more dear that the standard-diameter target arrows because truly accurate fat arrows are more expensive to make than skinny ones. Line-Cutters also tend to be a bit more delicate in both aluminium and carbon because the shaft wall is thinner than comparable arrows of a thinner nature, and of course, the chance of damage from an arrow strike is greater with the larger thin-walled shaft. Last and probably least, Line Cutters are more susceptible to air movement than standard-diameter shafts. If you are shooting 3D outdoors on a windy day, the wind-drift factor can more than offset any advantage the thicker shaft gives you.

All of these factors are minor when it comes to shooting an arrow that can make the difference between being in the money and being in the pits when the awards are handed out, but as with everything else in archery, you need to consider all the options when making choices in gear.