Left wing or right wing feathers

[SCbowman]

I am a former compound shooter that has hung up the wheels and now going traditional. My previous arrows were always right wing with and fletched with a right helical. I notice a lot of trad arrows are left wing and left helical. Is there a reason for this? Are there advantages using left wing over right wing?

[Grey Taylor]

Stephen, if you do a search for this topic you'll find dozens of past discussions on it. That's probably the best way to go through the different informations and opinions.

Guy

[cyred4d]

Quick answer, it really does not matter as long as you have all left wing or all right wing on the arrow shaft.

[madness522]

It doesn't make much difference as long as your arrows are tuned to your bow.  The only way it really matters is when using a single bevel broad head.

[Javi]

Mostly it's a holdover from when most shot off a knuckle.. Left wing helped keep the quill from digging into your knuckle if you shot right handed..  

When screw-in inserts came out folks who shot them usually switched to right wing if they shot off the shelf or a rest because it helped keep the point tight when they hit a target..

[Night Wing]

Like others have said, it comes down to personal preference. My arrows are all fletched with right wing feathers with a right helical twist.

[SCbowman]

Thanks for the info!

[Gen273]

It is up to you, but I am R.H. and I like left wing out of a Trad bow.

[Frank V]

Originally posted by cyred4d:
Quick answer, it really does not matter as long as you have all left wing or all right wing on the arrow shaft.

YUP!  

[Shawn Leonard]

Lots of discussion on this, but it really does not matter. That said some bows with narrow shelves or selfbows or bows where the shelf puts the arrow right on top of your hand, a RW feathers quill can and will sometimes catch the knuckle and leave a nice cut(on top of left knuckle) on a right-handed shooter. Shawn

[RedShaft]

i shoot left wing also. they seem to be easier to find to.

[Hobow]

Hi,

Kinda new to Trad Gang but I have definitely noticed that when shooting right wing feathers off the shelf on a right hand bow the quill will tear up/wear out your rug rest very quickly just the same as it would your knuckle if shooting off of it.  

Something to consider if shooting an all original, vintage bow...

- Brad

[straitera]

Interesting observation Steve. I'd bet otherwise that there are more LW shooters. In TG archives you might find shoot tests (vids) w/various helical options including straight. From all I read, RW contacts less shelf. Convinced me to switch to RW. Actually, cock feather "in" contacts minimally also. Be sure to see slo-mo Archer's Paradox also.