Some of you people don't understand. Steve said the lengths and weights were different. It was grouping he was testing. This video wasn't addressing people that have the money to buy all expensive equipment. It's for the practical person with there priorities in check. Very informative. And if you purchase the most expensive gear, you'll never be able to shoot as well as your equipment costs.

Not to blow my own whistle but iv won 10 gold medals at aba nationals in men's freestyle unlimited and have been to ifaa world titles in Germany using cheap arrows and finished well above lots of people using x10's, I was using cheap arrows. It all comes down to how u build them as to how accurate they are. Eg- spine check before building, spinning the shaft to see wabble and cutting it out, making sure the nock fists the string and releases off the string correctly, use decent pins and try different vanes

Sorry to announce this a couple days before Christmas. Steve is in hospital currently, due to lung and heart problems. There will be no more uploads for the time being.

It’s very likely that if the arrows were cut and bow tuned to the cheap arrows they would group as well as the Victory arrows. Good video.

General thing to remember: cheap arrows work just fine for hunting especially, as long as you tune them to your bow, the average hunting shot is 12-18 yards, it’ll be more than fine

I am a returning archer in the uk after about 12 year break, and have loved watching your videos, they are informative and personal. Look after yourself and thank you for all the content so far, and what is to come

Excellent truthful video. I have tested many cheap arrows against much more expensive shafts and the difference in accuracy is negligible and would not be noticed by the majority of archers. Setup and bow tune has a greater affect in my opinion, if the bow is not set up for the individual archer they are always going to struggle achieving great scores.

Best comment heard to date concerning arrows going good or bad. “This is archery, it’s what it’s all about.”

I have days when I'm not feeling it. They end in Y.

It's 99% the archer. On olympivc lvl every edge counts though.

This was a very good and useful test! I'm shooting a $10 arrow and happy!! Thanks for the summary comments too!!

Great to know. Thanks for taking the time to show that. Great advice too.

“Shoot more” wise advice

Don't know much about archery ,and am by nature cynical about those offering impartial advice, this bloke comes across as really genuine

Damn right I'm sure it is a lot better your blood pressure being real high like that could blind you could make you have blurry vision all kinds of stuff definitely make you shake or feel weak

If you would have put as much effort into the cheaper arrows as the victory, you would most probably have shot just as well. But the cheaper arrows weren't squared in the end, the were longer than your victorys and the weight wasn't the same. The prep af the arrow is the most important thing I find

I shot a local UK competition recently. 3rd end missed the target... Didnt even get it on the boss, the arrow hit the catch net. I carried on and came 2nd. Not bad for a guy using Easton Platinum and a PSE StingerX

Love inexpensive carbon arrows. We are lucky to live in times where a high quality set of carbon arrows cost less than a low quality set of bamboo or wood arrows. I still prefer natural arrows, but the amount of work I put in to get well grouping sets means that I end up using them sparingly, and fall back on carbon arrows for practice.

I've seen several videos like this and appreciate the honesty. I for one use the 3.97-4.97 arrows from Walmart cause I work for a living and can't afford the expensive ones, plus when I hunt if I lose one I'm not leaving 20 bucks somewhere. I've had tight grouping upto 50 yards, useing krypto and other allen arrows, during hunting I've never shot outside 35 yards and I haven't missed yet, and my freezer is full. If I were to become a competitive archer I would invest in better quality arrows just for the consistant shot but I believe you can kill anything with a toothpick if you put it where it needs to be

Cheap arrows will do very well for lots of people, but they need to learn how to set up arrows properly. Spine alining, cleaning, fletching, and good tip weight. I've shot my state tournaments with hunting shafts at 90 meters and won my divisions. At the end of the day it's good practices that win tournaments. Higher prices doesn't always mean easier wins.

Steve mate, the VAPs (excluding the 8) covers a vertical spread of 7.5cm while the cheaper arrows cover a spread of at least 8cm. good enough for a beginner

Arrow grades r over-rated. U can cull out bad shafts when u make a dozen from scratch. But if u have a higher grade model of arrow like a VAP TKO with the double carbon wrap then u have something that has more structural integrity & a .006 shaft that u make the right way will be considerably more consistent. I use those for bow hunting & to practice I have just the plain Victory .166 which is also made from shafts & they shoot fine but with durability issues. The key is to MAKE shafts into arrows & do everything to MAKE them as perfect as possible. Takes the shadow of doubt out of your head & leads to better shooting due to more confidence & more enjoyable of an experience 😉.

If your trying to shoot a squirrel up in a tree, go with the cheap arrows🤣

Very interesting and informative. I too think that if the cheaper arrows where tuned to the bow and archer, they'd probably group a bit better. I actually thought that for compound slightly too stiff arrows are better than too weak. But else I agree that to some extend the bigger errors lies in the archer, not in the modern equipment, that even for relatively cheap equipment like arrows, are still pretty good quality.

Been shooting with VAP (Olympic recurve), could not be more happier with the price-value. I won and lost to ppl shoot with X10 (same lvl as mine, 280ish at 70m), so unless you strike for serious competition, it does not matter much in my opinion

I got back into shooting ,and it’s amazing how technology has advanced. I remember alum was king.

The only reason I bought more expensive arrows is for hunting and fixed broadhead flight performance. Two years later I am thinking about going back to cheaper ones since my grip has improved a lot and I’m wondering if my broadheads would fly just as well even with the higher straightness variations in cheaper arrowshafts.

There’s a KZfaq channel named “ samual White”. He takes cheap Walmart arrows and tunes them showing what can be done. He shoots them at up to 100 yards and they do perfect.

Hope you’re doing ok. Once I learned you weren’t feeling well, the video kinda showed that. Please heal well, and we’ll see you later.

Dude I believe van that we can listen to you said and shoot the crap on archery while you shot for hours like it's just like we're there with you shooting you're a good man Steven you do a damn good job buddy

I know with me, maybe have 1 extra point between 006 and 001 arrows at 18m over the full round. Usually my X count was higher but score was the same. But I am not a world class archer. At a 50/720 round between 006 and 001 arrows I would be 0.75-1 point per end loss. These were the same arrows aside from straightness. 23’s for indoors and VAPs for outdoor. I now almost shoot exclusively 006 (victory sports now)

This has been a good video. If I was only target shooting I would get the fastest, lightest, narrowest arrows that shoot well from my bow. In other words tuned to my bow and the correct length for my draw. Less variability would mean a higher probability of smaller group sizes. For large game hunting it is a different goal so it is a different process. At least for me.

What about when you put on a broadhead on those cheap arrows?

Yeah I cut down my 29" 350 spine arrows to 27". Doesn't seem to matter much as long as the arrows are the same brand. Of course I'm shooting compound. I have two arrows that are an different brand and even with the same "spine and length", they shoot differently on their grouping. 🏹🤠👍

I guess it's in the consistency of the arrows, similar to buying quality shotgun cartridges for clay pigeon shooting. The load and the shot size and shape makes a difference in the same way a quality arrow probably has a set weight and density per unit length. If you cut up your expensive arrow in to exact 1" lengths they'd probably be exactly the same, whereas it might be different for the cheaper ones. Who knows?

Steve, an old rule of thumb was that you needed 45 lbs of bow draw weight to reach 90 meters. With modern arrows and much lighter arrow weights, how much draw weight can be dropped to still achieve say 70m. For instance how far will a 18lb bow cast a 200gr arrow at max sight setting on recurve bow of 68" at 28" draw.

I think that would be crazy not to believe that one Arrow being more high-grade higher wrapped the higher in carbon and it would not be more forgiving than a lower-end arrow even at 20 yards maybe just a 16th of an inch but are a few millimeters

Correct me if I'm wrong I don't care if they're cheap arrows or expensive arrows whenever I get either one they shoot phenomenal right off the start but after shooting them for 3 weeks to a month the integrity their durability straightness. The cheap one seem to be more you shoot them the less accurate and the groups don't hold.

You should compile all those 'words of wisdom' 😅😆

love the video, but a bit confused. How does the cheaper longer arrows (with more grains) hit higher than the shorter more expensive arrows (with less grains) if your aiming dead center with both? Are grains per inch different or the same between both arrow shafts? Again, great video.

I would say form technique and forgiveness three major players in the game but also I think number one is your mental strength what do you do when the pressure's on you're inside of the cooker

If your Doc hasn't already done so I'd ask him to order a D-dimer test. It can provide instrumental info for your treatment (but hopefully the test is negative). Best wishes. I really like your videos and YOU.

is there a quick summary quick vs cheap? im just getting into archery and i feel like theres a billion video's on every little different thing and its a bit overwhelming with all the options between bows,arrows,sights, getting a RTH package or building a bow etc

I just want it to stop raining

I have dropped 27kg using the keto diet. I got my blood works done to check for deficiencies & came back perfect after 3 months on the diet. It might help your health issues maybe...

iv'e been bowhunting for 60 yrs -never competition but i believe i could out shoot those groups any day with my mathews z7 extreme and easton axis arrows

I've been shooting $5 arrows for a year now. I use a recurve and am able to put every shot into a 1 gallon milk jug from 30 yards.

When you shoot for fun-aways use cheap arrow that have been tuned.

I am just a backyard shooter that goes hunting every now and then ( never shot at a deer...it's hard here) and I robinhooded cheap ...$30 for a dozen on amazon at 30 yards...so they can't be that bad (still watching this video while typing, so don't know his outcome).

If you put an arrow thru that dog, your groups will tighten up!

For consistency sake I probably would have shot an entire group with one type then an entire group with the other and compared the two.

I would love to ship you Bears Flagship bow for 2023 the Execute 32. I would love to see a honest review on it

Steve, as much as i like seeing you shooting and talking about archery, life and other stuff, i didnt even look at the target once during this video because, as much as there can be difference between cheap and expensive arrows, it would be totally erased and swayed unpredictably by the fact that the bow and arrow are not tuned to each other (ideally would require two of the same bows each tuned to a particular arrow) and have different diameter, spine, length, fletching size and type and different geometry of the heads. Its really a lot of effort, i know, but it is kind of meaningless to do a video like that without putting in that effort. I'm not complaining, just expressing my opinion.

I sell archery equipment and tell people this same thing all the time. If you aren't competing, and you aren't stretching out the range, only spend more on arrows for style. If you are a very good shot and do shoot 40+ yards regularly, go for it, there is absolutely a difference, but a casual archer won't be good enough to see it. At that point the money is going into other features like weight forward shafts, outserts and nock collars, skinny shafts to reduce wind effects and MAYBE get better penetration. I'm constantly suggesting that if they want to put more money into archery to get better results, pay for some lessons from a GOOD coach. Better arrows aren't a total waste, and I certainly like my fancy ones, but around here most hunting is 30 and a lot of the hunting is wild hogs. You don't need a better arrow, you need one you don't mind throwing out each time you shoot a hog.

The Easton Vector's are 5 dollars but Easton they are good for target competition with a .003 straightness . Why isn't Easton calling there arrow cheap arrows ? Don't you think its possible for a company to make a good arrow at a 5 dollar pricing ?

¿how do the $200 plus per shaft target arrows compare to the $20 general purpose arrows? ?Would the "average" archery hunter who limits his shots to ~45 ~50 yards notice a difference¿ I shoot "expensive" $5/arrow carbon fiber arrows and around $1/arrow fiberglass/carbon fiber composite arrows, both cut to 25 inches, because I have an abnormally short draw length, with a compound bow at out to 30 ~35 yards. (longer shots are not an option where I shoot) My "good" arrows are around 450 to 460 grains total weight. I don't know what the cheap arrows weigh. Both have a high FOC, however. Both arrows are accurate. I can put 5 of either or mixed inside a quarter at 20 yards. (I know. Horrible for competitive shooting. However, it is plenty accurate for deer/Elk/moose, Turkey, and upland game. I don't enter the shooting matches. I am well aware I would only be in the way, and a waste of time if I entered an archery shooting competition. (Rifle and muzzleloader competition is another story ... at least when I had an accurate small and/or medium bore cartridge rifle, and my CVA "Kentucky" rifle.) I "know" I don't "need"arrows that cost $10 and more for hunting and shooting at my 3D buck target, or my arrow stop with a regulation 5spot target stuck on. Just as well. I can't afford them, anyway.

I've shot mid range and cheap arrows and I will always cut them to a common length. I don't shoot long, primarily because I wish to hunt. Now I've never noticed any difference apart from the weight of my wallet.

What model Elite are you shooting?

Says he is Shooting "Recurve" holding "Compound"...

Come shoot the Benchmark shoots next year Steve for money.

Yep I can't beat Steven even on his bad days😂😂😂

My friend 8 months ago my blood pressure was 190's over 150's, doctors were stunned i had not had a stroke yet! they got me lowered to acceptable range with drugs. i researched how to do it with diet and gave up ALL wheat products, all starches and all added sugars. now i do not take ANY BP meds and my BP is 115 to 120 over 65 to 80 WITHOUT meds. Just diet change which is permanent. my scores went in the toilet also with the high BP. Consult your doctors but make a major diet change and eat only proteins and veggies and your BP will come back down.

Most animals are taken under 30 yards so do shots at 25yards

I shoot archery for the same reason the personal challenge of reliability

$5 is cheap?

Don't overthink your gear. Remember, the Indians did it with FAR less and took down bigger animals than we did. Just buy what you can afford and HAVE FUN.

for blood pressure ,i recomend two things to my patients , first ,get off of sodium chloride , look up chloride , nasty stuff , can even make chlorine from it , regular table salt contains 2 chemicals , sodium and chloride . unlike tablesalt ,seasalt is pure sodium , no chlorides .its not sodium thats the bad guy here ,its the chloride ,so get off the table salt ,and get you some pure sea salt , there are all kinds of varieties .chlorides are famous for elevating blood pressure . number two on the list is fiber . because you peel most of the fruits and veggies you eat ,the fiber ends up in the garbage . so you must add it to your diet , fiber helps clean out those filty guts of yours lol , moves waste out of body much faster than anything . it binds to those artery clogging fats and slime that will eventuallllllllly find its way into your arteries . use metamucil three times a day , mid morning , mid afternoon and right before bed ., i say mid ,because taking it with food can cause you to feel really really full lol . a little goes a long way ,in this case ,more is not better . start off by only taking 1 teasppon in a 8 ounces or more water ,the more water the better .once stirred , drink fast , because it will get thick awfully fast lol . do this for about a month , then increase your dosage to two teaspoons three times a day for about a month . remember , dont talk to anyone while you you preparring this stuff , or it will set in the glass and it becomes dangerous to drink , it can cause you to choke or worse , so prepare it and drink it very fast . eventually it will eliminate most fats and cholesterol out of your body . to maintain good help , take before bed , 1 to 2 teaspoon every night to maintain good health for life . do these two things and your blood pressure ,guts and overall health will thank you !!! without practice ,your bow shooting skills would decline , so it is with your health !!!!

20 meters, there is a difference. Try shooting indoor competitions

All made in Vietnam! It comes down to which company does the best marketing, then that company gets to put a stupidity tax on the arrow U can’t buy good scores . I bet the rest it tuned for the vaps and if u tuned it to the cheap arrows the result would be indistinguishable.

The last comment aside, you cannot compare arrows if all things are not the same. Yes, test different shafts, but they have to have the same, at least by weight, components installed. An arrow cut and tuned to your bow are going to fly better than an uncut, unmatched Walmart arrow. You are shooting apples and oranges here, meaningless comparison but good talking points.

Built your own and then you will understand

No

Cheap ones are better....

Let’s see those arrows cut the same length , and the fletch removed , I hate videos that people are trying to do a comparison test and right out of the gate there’s indifferences in the variables ! This is no test it’s some guy who likes to video tape himself talking!

20 minutes for 2 minutes of information...no...

THE ARROW IS EVERYTHING! This can’t even remotely be considered an accurate comparison between these arrows. Bow tune, arrow tune, spine, weight, arrow length. All are very important factors in archery. DON’T BUY $5 ARROWS!! Not unless you’d like to see one blow up in your hand. The arrow is what flies through the air, the arrow is what hits the target. Buy better arrows and cheaper bows instead.

At short distances it really don't matter as long as your bows tuned and your sighted in. Now go out 40+yards and you'll probably start to see also throw a broadhead for hunting as well could affect it. But 20 yards and a feild point its not going to make that much of a difference. If your not competing for money stay within your budget and practice your form and be repeatable period. You can have the best archey gear out spend thousands of dollars on bow, sights, strings, stabilizers, ect and if your form is trash your scores will also be trash. Practicing is alot cheaper than continuously switching your gear around thinking that maybe this more expensive stuff will help me, it more than likely will not

Wait a second how are you gonna compare the 2 when 1 set is your custom and the other is outta the box...thats not a fair comparison...this should be more of a can i be as accurate with cheap uncustom vs expensive custom...not how good are 5 $ arrows....you should custom the 5$ set as close to yojr more costly amd then donthis again with the only difference being the price...being theres a different lenght theres a gonna be a different weight as well..