Feather Cuts

[Sarge11]

I am new here and may have missed it, but here's my question , is there any difference in performance, stability, noise, ect.,real or perceived, with different shapes of feathers for fletching? Or is it a matter of personal preference as far as looks go?

[**DONOTDELETE**]

little of both. I really like banana shape I find them to be the best for me, Others like shield cut and so on...

[Sarge11]

Does anyone have any info of comparisons on one cut being faster or stabilizing better than another cut?

[greg fields]

L used parabolic for years, then switched to shield just for a different look.  I could never tell any difference in flight, noise or accuracy.

[wildgame]

Originally posted by greg fields:
L used parabolic for years, then switched to shield just for a different look.  I could never tell any difference in flight, noise or accuracy.

x2

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Originally posted by Sarge11:
Does anyone have any info of comparisons on one cut being faster or stabilizing better than another cut?

It's hard to say which is better.. just like bows, fletching comes down to what/how that person likes them... I tried 4 different cuts till I came across nana's.

You might do a test and find that P&Y cut is the best for You or maybe trad cut..It really comes down to what You like looking at as they are flying down range..

[graybarkhunter]

i like shield cut because it touches my nose when i draw back.. i use that as one of  my two anchor points as parabolic and banana dont touch.. just my .02!          PandY looks really good.. if your going for looks though   graybarkhunter

[Orion]

Feather size is more important than shape in stabilizing the arrow. A larger feather will stabilize it more quickly than a smaller feather. The affect of shape is so small that extremely few can detect it. Shoot what you like to look at.

[Grey Taylor]

Surface area is what stabilizes the arrow. If two different shapes have the same surface area they should work the same.
For some people a trailing edge will make some noise.
Any speed difference between different shapes is likely to be very small. Probably under the variations in speed caused by the archer.
Personal preference trumps just about everything. If you don't think your arrows are cool then they won't work as well.

Guy

[Dave Bulla]

Orion beat me to it...

     

Feather size is more important than shape in stabilizing the arrow. A larger feather will stabilize it more quickly than a smaller feather. The affect of shape is so small that extremely few can detect it. Shoot what you like to look at.  

The only thing I would add is that feather height and amount of helical also make a difference.  Height is the big deal changer for noise as at a certain point they'll start to buzz but trailing tips like on the P&Y cut will buzz also if going fast enough.  You'd think a banana cut would be quiet due to the rounded back end but if they are tall, they buzz like hornets.  Kinda cool really.  

Helical is obviously a factor in how fast the arrow spins and spinning stabilizes the arrow so.... dang, there's something else to think about eh?

[Fischman]

Well put guys, I have found also that too much height will make for some buzzing arrows, play with it till you find enough stability and a quiet  shooting arrow.

[Tajue17]

I like both the low back and high back EV Howler cuts on my small game and 3D arrows and my selfbow deer arrows because they shoot slower and the arrows are not loud,,, they sound like a high pitched zipper I guess and they are fun to shoot especially around wheel shooters who never heard them,,, but we have tested them and down at the target you can't really hear anything until its too late.

[Rob DiStefano]

there is no such thing as a general "best" feather shape/cut.  that's like asking "what bow is best" or "what arrow shaft is best".  

if you wanna know what feather shape works "best" for you, give 'em ALL a fair try.

add into the testing the number of feathers, feather length and height, feather placement (straight, offset, helical).

as you can see, there's a huge buncha testing & trialing to accomplish.

my preference is 4-fletch 75x105 low profile banana, 4" to 4-1/2" length, 3/8" to 5/8" feather height, 1 degree offset.  this works well for me - quiet, low drag, and more than enuf surface area to aid in controlling the arrow.

ymmv.

 

[ti-guy]

I agree, it's really something you got to explore and try.I think that dr.Ashby said that the f.o.c. would influence the size and number of feather needed in the rear to stabelize arrow's flight?!.

[Sarge11]

Thanks for the responses guys. It is my nature to over-think simple things. Where can I see a picture if the EV Howler? Not familiar with this one.
Thanks again,
Rod