Came to say the same thing. I've never had one fail at the insert. Actually, I havent had one fail ever. I've broken many, but thats all my fault.Like I've said before........I've been using several different 5mm type arrows pretty much exclusively the past 15 years and have had very few issues overall just using HIT's......no collars, no BAR's. Financially it has made no sense for me to go to collars or try something else. If it isn't broken, and works well, what's there to fix? But apparently collars would be a really good investment for a lot of guys. Use whatever you have to to have durable arrows and have confidence in them.
Truth right here...If your shafts are perfectly square/chamfered, your points are at minimum the exact same OD if not just slightlyl larger, you keep your points tight, and have properly glued the inserts in with epoxy you should be fine.
Collars are just a little insurance, but not required.
This is what I do and they square and dave me arrows.Split the difference and get the Easton BAR. It will help out a lot and is way cheaper than the IW at a minimal weight penalty but adds performance and some metal between the broadhead and shaft. I personally have broken a decent amount of 5mm Axis arrows in critters and on rocks etc but they will usually break 6in to 1 foot down the shaft from the point. Never broken one at the HIT insert with a BAR installed.
I'd like to piggyback on this post because the only other one about this that I found was older. I recently bought Easton Axis arrows from Lancaster Archery. I had them cut them to length and put in the inserts, so I assume it was done right. I've mostly used the same 6 for tuning and sight adjustment. The only targets these arrows have been shot into are a large bag target, and a block. Today when I pulled them from the bag, one of them was mushroomed and a piece was peeled from the side of the shaft. This is a little concerning to me. I never missed the target, and I didn't damage it with another arrow causing a weakness that mushroomed after more impacts with the bag. I thought maybe the insert was loose, but I put the point in a vise and couldn't move the insert. I have the BARS but they aren't installed. Any thoughts??
Every ounce in a while I'll grab my arrows and out a few spins on the champher tool. It keeps the ends cleaned up.OK thanks
You've been lucky. With brass HIT inserts and steel ferrules on the broadhead you can get by. Any aluminum and I have had them snap off right in front of HIT insert. Some on game shots. I use outserts or collars now.In 15 years I have never used a collar period