Concave Arrowhead: Design, Benefits & Variations

A concave arrowhead — sometimes called a chested arrowhead or chest-point design — features a broadhead with a concave shape on one side, creating an indentation in the center of the arrowhead. This geometry has appeared across cultures and time periods and remains a practical choice for both hunters and competitive archers today.

Advantages of the Concave Arrowhead Design

Increased Penetration and Cutting Ability

The chested arrowhead design creates a larger wound channel than many other arrowhead shapes. The curved blade edges cut more tissue, producing a wider and deeper wound — a meaningful advantage when hunting larger game such as deer or elk where a clean, ethical kill is the priority.

Improved Aerodynamics

The concave shape reduces the resistance an arrow encounters in flight, helping it maintain speed and accuracy at longer distances. This makes the concave arrowhead a useful option in target shooting and competitive archery, where precision over distance is critical. When conditions get difficult, pairing an aerodynamically sound arrowhead with good techniques for shooting in windy conditions gives you the best chance of consistent groupings.

Stability in Flight

The indentation in the chested arrowhead design helps guide the arrow along a straighter path. This added stability is especially useful when shooting with a lighter bow or in crosswind conditions.

Increased Weight

The concave geometry typically adds mass compared to flatter arrowhead profiles. That extra weight translates to greater kinetic energy at impact, reinforcing the penetration advantages of the concave arrowhead.

Variations of the Chested Arrow Design

• Single-bevel chested arrowheads — one bevel on the blade delivers strong penetration and cutting ability, though sharpening requires more care.
• Double-bevel chested arrowheads — two bevels provide better balance and easier sharpening, with a modest trade-off in raw cutting depth.
• Chisel-point chested arrowheads — a pointed, chisel-style tip maximises penetration force, though tissue-cutting breadth is reduced compared to other chested arrowhead types.

Common Uses

The concave arrowhead suits hunting applications — particularly larger game — and competitive 3D or field archery. Selecting the right variation depends on your arrow spine, point weight, and intended use. Because point weight directly affects spine behaviour, confirm your arrow spine selection whenever you change arrowhead styles. Broadhead alignment also matters: a misaligned head steers the arrow off course, so dialling in your rest position during tuning is essential.