four fletched?

[Roughrider]

I've shot 4 fletch, mostly 4" feathers, though I've used 3" & 5", for about 20 years.  I like it because you don't have to think about which way the arrow is loaded on the string - however the nock fits on, will work - no worries about the cock feather being in or out.  

If you don't get too carried away with oversized fletching and too much helical, you won't notice any more speed loss at distance - in fact, because they are lower profile, 4 - 4" fletchs may have less wind resistence than 3 - 5".

I use a Bitzenburger jig, which I think is 75x105.  

According to some of Ashby's studies, when you get into extreme FOC, you actually need less fletching.

[Rob DiStefano]

4 fletch 5 minute downpour test - processed turk vs. natural canada goose, which one would you take hunting?   :cool:

 

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by hightop_hunter:
Iv been shooting 4 fletch for a few years and I find that they stabilize quicker and there are 2 problems the first being with the set up i use the feathers catch on the shelf. fraying the feathers after a hunting season I usually have to replace all of them. the second problem is that after 30 yards they loose a lot of speed. this fact cost me 2 nice bucks this year. that being said I wouldn't trade straight and accurate flight for extra distance.

i don't see or have any of those problems.

in a 120 three fletch comparison to a 75x105 four fletch, there's better clearance with the four fletch, no matter whether a longbow cut shelf or recurve elevated shelf.

i've never seen more feather wear with four than three.

one concept with four fletch that i use is shorter feathers in both length and height - my 4" four fletched arrows are faster than most folks 5" three fletched arrows -easily.

if you experiment a bit - or a lot! - you'll see the distinct advantages to dressing yer shafts with four feathers.  

and like charlie sez, cheaper if you chop full length feathers, too.

[horsehairhunter]

Rob- do you know a good source for goose feathers?  Here in the great northwest, we need arrows that can handle the constant rain.  As for me, I seem to hit 4 feathers off the shelf unless I get a great release-not a problem when I shoot 3 feathers with cock feather in.

[snag]

I went from 3-5" to 4-4" fletched 90deg. Never had better arrow flight.

[bentpole]

Rob,       It is very close       Just for you youngster/ newbie/ rookies, 4x4"'s = 16"'s of feather to help straighten your arrow. 3x 5" ='s 15"'s of feather. 3x 5 1/2"'s ='s 16 1/2 "'s of feather but I think that's a little overkill.  

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by horsehairhunter:
Rob- do you know a good source for goose feathers?  Here in the great northwest, we need arrows that can handle the constant rain.  As for me, I seem to hit 4 feathers off the shelf unless I get a great release-not a problem when I shoot 3 feathers with cock feather in.

i think stringstretcher offers ground natural goose fletching, give him a pm or email.

i  strip \\'n\\' grind my own canada goose feathers  that i scout out every june during the molt - there are hundreds at the big pond down the road from my house.

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

I use four 4" parabolic, using a straight clamp and just a tiny bit of offset. They fly like rockets, err... darts.

[creekwood]

Originally posted by Rob DiStefano:


in a 120 three fletch comparison to a 75x105 four fletch, there's better clearance with the four fletch, no matter whether a longbow cut shelf or recurve elevated shelf.

i've never seen more feather wear with four than three.

one concept with four fletch that i use is shorter feathers in both length and height - my 4" four fletched arrows are faster than most folks 5" three fletched arrows -easily.

if you experiment a bit - or a lot! - you'll see the distinct advantages to dressing yer shafts with four feathers.  

and like charlie sez, cheaper if you chop full length feathers, too. [/QB][/QUOTE

Rob, those four fletches look nice, I'm gonna have to try it myself.  Thanks for the heads up!

[tradtusker]

4 Fletch all the way
i love it
dont have to look at the arrow whilst nocking it
great flight and control  
easy to see in flight and where you hit an animal
etc..

[Ragnarok Forge]

3 inch - 4 fletch - 75 X 105 Shield Cut.  Great shelf clearance and the same surface area a 3 4-inch fletch.

[Wary Buck]

I don't know if it's a crutch for me or not, but I love 75/105 four-fletch 5" shield feathers, usually with a splice of bright color the last inch or so of the feather.  When that arrow is departing, I see this nice ball of bright color heading downrange!

   

   

   

[waknstak IL]

4" parabolic 90x90

[chanumpa]

Now Mr.DeStefano,That first four fleched banana feathered arrow is about the most classic thing Ive ever seen!Nice work.

[horsehairhunter]

Rob-thanks for the info-I know just the place to gather up goose feathers this summer, looks like I'll be making my own fletching soon...

[creekwood]

I got one fletched up.

 

Ready to go.

 

It works. 4 inch banana almost 1/2 high @ 75 X 105
using a Bitz fletching jig. They fly the same as my normally 3 fletched 4 inch parabolics.