Editing Arrowhead (section)

== Design ==
Arrowheads are attached to arrow shafts to be shot from a [[Bow and arrow|bow]]; similar types of projectile points may be attached to a spear and "thrown" by means of an [[atlatl]] (spear thrower).

The arrowhead or [[projectile point]] is the primary functional part of the arrow, and plays the largest role in determining its purpose. Some arrows may simply use a sharpened tip of the solid shaft, but it is far more common for separate arrowheads to be made, usually from metal, horn, rock, or some other hard material.

Arrowheads may be attached to the shaft with a cap, a socket [[tang (tools)|tang]], or inserted into a split in the shaft and held by a process called [[hafting]].<ref name="stone-glossary-arrow">{{Cite book |last=Society for Creative Anachronism |url=http://www.sca.org/officers/marshal/docs/marshal_handbook.pdf |title=Marshal's Handbook |access-date=11 August 2009<!--Access date included as document appears to be regularly updated--> |via=sca.org}}</ref> Points attached with caps are simply slid snugly over the end of the shaft, or may be held on with [[hot melt adhesive|hot glue]]. In medieval Europe, arrowheads were adhered with hide glue. Split-shaft construction involves splitting the arrow shaft lengthwise, inserting the arrowhead, and securing it using [[ferrule]], sinew, rope, or wire.<ref name="TBB-steel_points">{{Cite book |last=Parker |first=Glenn |title=The Traditional Bowyer's Bible |date=1992 |publisher=The Lyons Press |isbn=1-58574-086-1 |volume=2 |location=Guilford |chapter=Steel Points}}</ref>

Modern arrowheads used for hunting come in a variety of classes and styles. Many traditionalist archers choose heads made of modern high carbon steel that closely resemble traditional stone heads (see Variants). Other classes of broadheads referred to as "mechanical" and "hybrid" are gaining popularity. Often, these heads rely on force created by passing through an animal to expand or open.