4 fletch taking finish off my bow

[sticksnstones]

Hello Gang, I've been shooting a Maddog longbow for about 8 months now with 3 fletch 2016 arrows that were a bit under spined. Thousands of shots with no problems. Ready to get dialed in for a hunt I picked out new 2117 arrows and had them done as 4 fletch after trying out a dozen shots with some test arrows setup that way.

I fired off maybe about 60 shots last night and noticed this    WORN SPOT   between the handle and the shelf. If you look at the dark brown wood just below the velco the finish is worn completely off and it even appears the wood was eroding. I checked the appropriate turkey feather and it was pretty jagged.

Knowing it may not show up well on the camera I put a piece of duct tape up there and shot 6 more shots, the    WHITE STREAK   white streak is where it took the top off the duct tape.

So here is what this leaves me wondering:
1) Is there any chance a smooth shaft could do that? If so I'd need to go back to smaller diameter arrows.
2) If not ,is the best solution to go back to 3 fletch and stick with the 2117s?
3) Any tricks to extending that shelf just a little bit more to protect the wood? I'm thinking I may do just a touch more velcro but I don't want to hide a problem I should be fixing.
4) Anyone around west Michigan who would be the go-to guy to smooth out and touch up that spot? I'm not much of a wood worker.

Sorry for the cell pics. Hopefully it's good enough for discussion purposes.
Thom

[Whip]

I don't think 4 fletch is your problem.  
Try moving your nocking point up the string.  I've had that same problem before and a higher nock point solved it. It may be that is has always been low, but your underspined arrows flexed enough to still clear the shelf.

Your arrows might now be too stiff, but I don't know anything about whether 2117 will work, so am not the one to answer that. But too stiff an arrow could also cause the shelf wear.  It's not just the feather.

To fix it, get some TruOil and apply over the worn spot with multiple coats.  Don't need to be a woodworker for that fix.  
No harm done.

[Ray_G]

Sticks,

When I was starting out, about 4 years ago, I had the same thing happen on a bow that I had.  The problem was that my shafts were too stiff in spine - not a diameter problem.  

Three or four fletch won't be the cause or make any difference from what I learned.  Covering or as you put it, extending the shelf material will only cause it to wear out.  You will have inconsistent arrow flight whether you "extend" the material or not because of stiff arrows.  A release issue could also be contributing to some of the problem but likely too stiff a spine in your shafts.

Call Mike at Maddog and find out what finish he put on it.  You could easily rub a bit of finish on with your finger, let it dry, and put on some more for several coats and it will protect the wood.

I am not an aluminum shooter but plenty of guys here do, so post your bow specs, your draw length, etc. and someone will be able to dial you in on shaft spine and other details to get your arrows right.  Good shooting!

[Ray_G]

Well, Whip and I were posting at the same time but it looks like we concur.  I hadn't thought about the string nocking point but I would bet on the shaft spine.

He knows a thing or two about bow finishing - he is the Bow Hospital, after all.  Tru-oil is good.

[sticksnstones]

Those are good thoughts. I had thought about my nock possibly being too low but I also changed out a worn out calf hair rest for the velcro one at the same time. I'll bet it's really pushing that arrow down hard where it's sitting now!

Stu's calc put that 2117 right on with my broadheads and bow so I'm hoping it's pretty close. I'm off to grab some TruOil and get started on that. Thanks Whip!

[sticksnstones]

I was thinking that messing with the shelf/rest was the wrong path. My trad mentor will be back to the range Wednesday so I'll try to get this stuff started this weekend, then we can work through the fine points then. Thanks Ray!

[Night Wing]

I also shoot aluminum arrows. I shoot split finger. One over, two under. I shoot off the shelf and I set my nocking point on my bowstring 5/8" high off the shelf.

With one of my very heavy arrow setups for my 42# recurve, it shoots a 2117 arrow.

[sticksnstones]

Thanks for the info Night Wing. I'm also split finger 1|2 and my bow is at 47#. I was at 3/8th's when I checked it. 5/8th's looks a bit high but I'll start with this and see how they fly. Whip the oil is soaking right up, I think this will work great!