Left wing vs. Right wing fletchings

[Yazoo Bowhunter]

Is there any difference b/w left and right wing fletchings other than how they are laid on your arrow shaft?  Benefits to using one over the other for a right handed shooter (me)?  I began w/ left wing, then did about 6 arrows in right wing, but it seems like there are more left wing fletching options out there than right wing (can someone explain this as well) so i may be switching back to left wing.   Is it bad to practice w/ both left and right wing or let's say practice only with right wing, but then your hunting arrow is left wing, or is nothing noticable so it's okay?  what's y'alls thoughts.

[JC]

Some may have a different opinion, but here are my experiences as a right hander, shooting off the shelf:

1) I cannot tell one bit of difference in flight/performance/whatever between RW/LW.
2) I get what's on sale or what Joe Skipp has in stock...so I use either. Just don't mix on each arrow.
3) If you shoot the single bevel heads that use a right hand grind (like grizzlies), you may want RW fletching to maximize penetration and flight characteristics.
4) RW will tighten your field tips in 3d targets.

[Tim Fishell]

The one thing you will notice if you shoot a straight grip longbow or a bow where you hand is close to the shelf.  If you are a RH shooter and you shoot RW feathers if you hand is close the quill will cut your hand.  Same goes for LH shooters shooting LW feathers.  This is because if you notice the quill will be down shooting RW feathers RH if you shoot cock feather out.  I dont have this problem with any of my current bows but I have shot some the I have had the problem with my hand being to close to the shelf.

[dagwood64]

Originally posted by Tim Fishell:
The one thing you will notice if you shoot a straight grip longbow or a bow where you hand is close to the shelf.  If you are a RH shooter and you shoot RW feathers if you hand is close the quill will cut your hand.  Same goes for LH shooters shooting LW feathers.  This is because if you notice the quill will be down shooting RW feathers RH if you shoot cock feather out.  I dont have this problem with any of my current bows but I have shot some the I have had the problem with my hand being to close to the shelf.

That explains the cuts on my left hand. I shoot RW and I hold close to the shelf. Duane

[PastorSteveHill]

I shoot only left wing feathers, but I use the feather as a second anchor point and right wing feathers wont' work.  Around here (bass pro and most archery shops) all they carry is right wing feathers etc...    

If you aren't useing the tip of the feather as an anchor, I'd say buy whatever you get a good price on and don't worry about it...

Ken Beck talks about it on the new Black Widow DVD... He says it can make a little difference only if your not perfectly tuned. If you are perfectly tuned, it makes none...

[Bowferd]

I had heard and learned that if shooting right hand to use left wing and left hand use right wing. Seems it doesn't wash. I've shot both and accuracy is not a problem with the fletching used. And yes I did get some quills imbedded in my holding hand shooting r/w feathers. Took a month and a half to cure. I now wear a glove on both hands.
The tips will spin tighter and stay intact better with r/w if shooting Right handed.

[WidowEater]

As a left hander I use right wings bc it is easier to get fletching clearance as I shoot off the shelf.  The fletch in the RW configuration is better suited to not hit on the quill of my bow .  Maybe different for others.

[James Wrenn]

I turn my nocks after the shaft is fletched so clearance is never a problem.I am right handed and have shot right wing for many years.I started shooting them because that was what was most available locally around here.Now all my jigs are right wing so continue doing so. :)When I buy finished arrows sometimes they come with left wing feathers.As long as the spine is right I never see a difference mixing them in a quiver. jmo

[Diamond Paul]

I shoot left wing feathers, right handed, and I still get cuts on my hand!  Go figure. . . .

[laddy]

With left wing out of my longbow I rotate the feathers,JoJan fletcher, so the bottom feather is not straight down.  I make my arrows with nock rotated an 1/8 turn, glued with a spot of hot melt.  Then when the arrow is fletched I take that 1/8 turn back and turn the bottom feather towards the bow. I need to rotate right wing to keep from nicking my knuckle, [knicking my nuckle,]  I have seen with some bow and shaft combos that I get a bit of left kick coming off the shelf that with the same shafts with left wing come off smoother.

[T.A.C.]

Yazoo,
 I don't notice a big difference with right or left wing. But, as JC mentioned, because I use Grizzly broadheads, I shoot right wing fletching (also per Dr. Ashby), but I shoot right wing with cock feather in and left wing (fieldtips or other broadheads) with cock feather out. This is for a right handed shooter and on my Widows (PL's) only.
 When shooting RH fletch with cock feather out on the longbows my left hand gets sliced by the hen feather. There are more options with leftys and you probably won't see any difference, but you never can tell. It may be more of a mental thing, but you should try for yourself and see. Hope this helps.