Back in the day,,, Easton was THE arrow manufacturer and pretty much had a monopoly on thr archery industry, Hoy and Easton were co-monopolist. Bear Archery was a giant as well. Then a few companies started experimenting with other materials. Fiber glass arrows, graphite arrows, fluted arrows etc... Flat and light became the trend, Overdraws with Superlite arrows were all the rage for a while, led mostly by Pete Shepley at PSE. 3D tourneys hit the scene and the faster lighter trend was hands down taking the money. Easton was pretty quiet about it all until they started becoming irrelevamt.
Well then, fads come and go...trends are based on success. Easton and their aluminum shafts were the leading trend until they failed to develop something better and lagged behind. Being on top doesn't guarantee one will always be on top if they fail to stay on the cutting edge. I see companies who feel they can coast on prior success and reputation alone and lose their top spot in the process. It works for a while but reputation only carries a company so far. The good news is that rule goes for everyone including those who took the top spot, innovation isn't any one company's exclusive right.
You guys do realize that easton is still on top of the arrow market. Look at the world competitions and you will see easton arrows and many are using carbon /aluminun mix. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
X2. Easton is very much STILL a leader (and US made) in the arrow industry. Unlike many arrow manufacturers, they still do offer a large line of aluminum, carbon, and composite/alloy. While I won't speak as though it's gospel, I find it highly unlikely the shift to carbon was due to manufacturing costs.
What's funny is that Easton developed the FIRST carbon arrow in 1983. Pretty good read http://www.strictlybowhunting.com/Anov01issue/carbon_vs_alluminum.htm Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
I had assumed they were still on top of the arrow market...I took MM's comments that they somehow were not any longer for whatever reason....I don't keep up with industry popularity or their history in comparisons...I use the products I have tried and like and work for me. I've always found Easton to be top notch and was pretty sure some of the first Carbon shafts I used were Eastons but couldn't recall for sure. I use Bemans at the moment, changed over from Carbon Express shafts this year when I bought my new Element...have been impressed with them so far.
Easton also owns Beaman now. Bought them out a few years ago. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
Yep, about a month ago I stopped in at the bow shop to get an extra dozen arrows and they only had 8 of the regular Beman BC shafts like I had but had the exact same shaft from Easton and they said they were the same company and same arrow. I'm impressed with them. If an arrow performed any better than these...they should be registered as weapons of mass destruction.
Been gone... yes I know they (Easton) are still on top. I did not know they had bought Beman. Manufacturing costs (profit margin) will always drive what gets bought and sold, whether directly or indirectly. Advertisers always paint the high side of their products to convince consumers to purchase what they produce. It's the old addage, If you don't have what the customer wants... make them want what you have. Short bows, release aids, fall away rests, mechaniocal broadheads are all examples of how the market changes. Archery has changed a lot in the 30 something years I have been slinging arrows... mostly for the better except dang it has gotten expensive... just so I can shoot a deer at the same 20-30 yards I did back when I first started. Thanks for the info though... as always... tfox amazes me with his knowledge.
I didn't KNOW easton was first with carbon arrows but i did know they were on board with it in the beginning, so I googled it and found that article. (I've done no fact checking on it but it does sound right) Hell, they are still selling regular ACC' s that they first developed in 1982. Talk about getting it right out of the gate. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
Doing some research reveals there were others making composite arriws in 1983. Tbe graphlex xt by gordin plastics was released in 1983 as well. http://www.archeryhistory.com/arrows/arrows.htm Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
Beman was purchased in 1995 and mckenzie was purchased in 2005 A good read for any other geeks out there. http://arrowtrademagazine.com/articles/jan_12/Jan2012-EastonProfile.pdf Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
I seem to recall warnings about graphite fibers getting into the meat. That fear, no matter how highly unlikely, revitalized the aluminum market for a while but definitely ushered in the carbon market which hasn't slowed down since. Both XX78 aluminum or carbon are very solid choices. Aluminum may be heavier (usually) and a bit more spine sensitive (more choices). But either is a fine option.
That was a warning that was actually on easton shafts from the beginning of carbon shafts. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
According to Arthur P it was a real issue that I believe he witnessed. I never witnessed it myself. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
I've never seen fibers come off a carbon shaft that was in good shape. I had some fiberglass fishing arrows that were a freaking nightmare though. Those things would leave little clear splinters in you like you wouldn't believe.
