Fletching shape and size.

[dresnor]

The more I shoot, the more my arrow fletchings are showing wear or tearing off. Understanding that this is part of the game I purchased a fletching jig and I am going to learn how to repair my arrows and maybe make my own down the road.

That being said, there is a lot of different choices in size and shape. Do any stand out from the rest? Shield, Parabolic, Traditional, Banana. What about length? Do longer ones fly better?

The arrows I currently shoot are 4'' shield cut, and my fiance's are 4'' Parabolic. I would like to just buy a bunch of the same kind and start learning.

We will both be hunting with our bows and I may go some 3d shoots. I mostly want the best type and size for hunting since targets can't hear the arrow coming.

Thanks in advance,

Jeremy

[Warden609]

What kind of wear? From arrow groups or contact with the bow shelf? A low nock point can cause fletch wear.

You will get lots of opinions on size and type, but I like 5" parabolic three fletch for everything I do.

[huskyarcher]

I personally like sheilds the best, as i use the feather on my nose as my 3rd anchor. If your arrows are tuned right it wont matter what shape or size they are for the most part.

[bucknut]

I know you will hear lots of different opinions but from my testing Parabolics are the quietest and do all the steering you will ever need. I have shot all shapes and sizes and 5" parabolics are all I shoot now. Shot Bananas and then shields for years cause I liked the Trad look but I'm more into quiet now. Buy quality feathers and you will get better life out of them. When you buy a Fletcher don't fool around. Just buy a Bitzenberger. You can often catch them used on the classifieds here or other sites for a good price.
JOHN

[Charlie Lamb]

Lots of wisdom in Bucknut's words. I agree on the quietness of parabolic, although amount of spiral and height of fletch plays a part as well.

I've been shooting a 4 1/2" 4 fletch the last several years(you can do that when you fletch and shape your own). I use to use 5" 4 fletch.

Getting a Bitzenberger is sound advice.

[Stumpkiller]

5" Shield.  Mostly because I like the way they look.

I still have a LOT of 5" parabolic fletched arrows.

[M60gunner]

I use shield, banana, and parabolic. Presently it's banana and shield. Need to get a parabolic insert for my chopper. I buy feathers by the hundred and what's on sale. Our hard ground and stones on the trails in front of the targets we shoot can strip a feather in a glance.

The Blitz is what all other fletching jigs are compared to. Mine were used and only God knows how old they are. They only need the minimum of care. There are some real good "how to's) on making your own arrows on this website.

[Caughtandhobble]

I am no expert by anyone's standards but I have experimented with most different fletching styles. I make my own fletching from turkey feathers that my friends and I have taken. With that being said I own several different feather choppers.

I prefer 5' fletch simply because they provide a little more steering than the short fletching. Like mentioned above, short fletching will work fine as long as your bow is tuned well.

When it comes to noise, it seems to me that the more helical added creates far more noise than the style of fletching that is used.

Of course I prefer turkey feather fletching over any others. But there is a huge difference on feather life due to the quality of the feathers that a supplier uses. Like a lot of things in life, you get what you pay for. Good feathers just last way longer than cheap feathers.

Quality don't stop at the feathers, the Blitz is one fine fletcher that will last for ever. If I may suggest when you get a Blitz fletcher start with very little helical and you can add more if needed. When I first got my Blitz, I made some arrows with enough helical that they could double as flu flu arrows, and there were very loud, lol.


   

[ChuckC]

Do a search.  This topic was discussed quite at depth in the earlier days.  It went in a few directions and covered quite a lot of ground.

I used to use 5.5" shields, still have a ton and still love the way they look.  But.... they are a bit too long for my ASLs, they re bulkier in a bow or back quiver and I simply don't seem to need that much fletching.  Like Mr Lamb, I also experimented, in large part because of our earlier discussions here, and have my own shape and size ( 4.75") that I cut from all those 5.5" feathers.

find what works for you, both in terms of looks as well as in actual flight.   Then report back !

Oh.... editors note.  There is no "L" in the name of that fletching tool.

A Jo-Jan six banger can work as good as a Bitz for me, but there are some extra little doodles that need to be done to make that happen.  Guys have tried to help me and they turn into all thumbs.  For anyone new to fletching there are the Btiz jigs and cheap copy cats.  Arrow length, weight and material can make a difference for a fletching choice.  Years ago when corn was tall and the rows were wide when I hunted corn fields with Toad, I found that I wanted arrows to straighten out as fast as possible.  My 27" bop #12 fiberglass arrows straightened out faster with a generous helical with 5.5" feathers.  I had corn leafs to miss in that scenario. With aluminums the 5" 3by or the 4"  4by have always worked.  The same for tapered woods.  I made a set of of long woodies for a tall guy that I gave a 68" Big 5 string follow.  I started out mistakenly gluing the first 4" feather on the three fletch notch, so I finished the six with 4" 3by, they flew absolutely perfect for him.  I fletched up some #9 Microflites the same way for me, the four fletch would have been better, so I finished the dozen with 5.5" and I like how all I see is feathers spinning around the nock.

[Rob DiStefano]

bucknut, charlie, and pavan are on the money when it comes to fletching.  LOTS of surface area, and a goodly helical or offset.  3-fletch 5" high cut (shield or parabolic or similar Large Fletchings), or a 4" fat 4-fletch with similar design characteristics as the 3-fletch. get the arra to straighten out quick whence past the riser. the big feathers also help when yer not on yer game, as well.  do yer own fletching, too.

[the rifleman]

4" semi shield cut ( i burn them flat int the back as i use feather to nose anchor for consistent head alignment).  They are very quiet and stabilize broadheads well-- my arrows are well tuned.  Other styles are cool, just don't work for my anchor.

[Draven]

Bohning fletching jig is good enough for fletching too. 4" parabolic feathers are good enough for me.
Actually on one setup I use 3" parabolic feathers and the 200gr Grizzly broadhead hits the same with 200gr field point arrows.

[Woodpuppy]

I've been very happy with my BPE jig. I use 5.5" shields on full length GT 400s because I like the traditional look, though I know parabolics are quieter. When/if I get to the point feather noise is the worst thing about my performance maybe I'll revisit it. Right now one of my arrows whistles on its way to the target, and for the life of me I can't tell why. No gaps in the glue or in the feathers themselves. Makes me smile though    :D

[Tim Finley]

I was having trouble hitting antelope at a waterhole blind one year they were ducking my arrow I missed 6 or 7 bucks. I thought it was string jump . On a walk back to the truck my buddy and I were shooting judo heads at sage brush and cow patties, he retrieved the arrows one time and shot mine back to me, off to the side of course. That arrow came in just buzzing I knew then why I was missing , I has a small manicure scissor in my kit so I cut them down to a smaller parabolic  as they were high and big feathers yet only 5 inches, that was all it took, next antelope went in the cooler !!

[dresnor]

Thank you all for the replies.

It sounds like I will end up sticking with the shield cut since I too use the feather on the nose technique.

As for a jig, I can't swing a Bitzenberger right now. Taking on a new hobbie like this for 2 people and saving to build our off grid homestead dream home is more important than buying the best of everything. I ordered a Bohning Pro Class jig and the Bohning fletching tape with Cabelas gift cards I have had since Christmas.  Down the road I am sure I will own a Bitzenberger though.


Can anyone tell me what brands of feathers to buy and what to avoid?

Jeremy

[katman]

True flight feathers have been my choice when natural wild turkey feathers are not available.

[Rough Run]

I have had good results with Bearpaw feathers from Kustom King, as well as True Flight.

[Woodpuppy]

Another vote for tru flite. I've never tried wild turkey, but would like to.