Four Fletch

[Dry Creek]

Originally posted by Captain*Kirk:
Not to be the fly in the ointment, but...
*4 fletch DOES add a significant cost per dozen...
*4 fletch also adds a 25% increase in damage vulnerability, though I've shot 3 fletch with half a feather missing with no visible flight issues.
Just food for thought.

Going to have to disagree to an extent. I can get two 4" feathers out of a full length feather, and only one 5" feather out of the same full length feather.

[Terry Green]

COST????? COST?????....COST of a FEATHER??????

If I can't afford an extra feather on my arrow ....maybe I need to find another 'hobby'

I'd rather spend another dollar than loose an animal.

[Captain*Kirk]

Originally posted by Dry Creek:
 

Originally posted by Captain*Kirk:
Not to be the fly in the ointment, but...
*4 fletch DOES add a significant cost per dozen...
*4 fletch also adds a 25% increase in damage vulnerability, though I've shot 3 fletch with half a feather missing with no visible flight issues.
Just food for thought.

Going to have to disagree to an extent. I can get two 4" feathers out of a full length feather, and only one 5" feather out of the same full length feather. [/b]

Wasn't thinking in those terms...you are correct. I was thinking in terms of the arrow builder who buys pre-cut/pre-stained feathers by the dozen. It adds maybe 10 bucks to the price, no not a big deal to most. But still something to consider in the long run.

[Terry Green]

I'm not fan of any man.....

 I'm more concerned about what I do and where I do it and how  well it works than I do  what someone tells me I should do who has no experience on what I do yet they do it on another continent with other animals...... who also admits they don't shoot very well which to me is Paramount..... someone maybe needs to spend more time shooting than studying

[LBR]

I shoot both 3 and 4 and see no difference in performance between 5" 3 and 4" 4. I can usually get 2 4" chopped out of a full length feather so it works out better for me. You do get double the use before wearing out too.  

Same for me.  I usually shoot 3 x 5", but I plan to go to 4 x 4" because I chop my own and you can usually get two 4" fletches from a full length feather.  Used to get two 5" from most every one, but that was several years ago.

[Jabar]

I smell a RAT!!!!

And is the Doc REALLY a Doc or just pretending to be?????

[Pine]

Terry , I like the way you think .
I couldn't tell you any of the numbers for the FOC of my arrows , I don't care . If it works , I use it .
My whole reason for going to 4 fletch is because many years ago I shot a deer at about 8 feet and the arrow slid down the rib cage cutting 4 ribs before it turned into the front of the lungs .
I figured the arrow must have been in paradox and the head hit at an angle to the flight .
I'm hoping the 4 fletch will prevent that at close range .

[two4hooking]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
FOC is More HYPE....the weight of the arrow and arrow flight is MUCH more important than the weight of your Bhead.  

Amen!

I use 3 x 5 1/2 inch feathers that are very high back parabolic.  Same theory as 4 x 4 and I started out using 4 x 4 also.  More feather for hunting is better!

[Terry Green]

I remember years ago trying to shoot a copperhead in the head at point-blank range and I missed three times I backed up and reloaded and my friend said what are you doing and I said I can't hit the snake in the head because of the Paradox the next shot drill the head and killed it dead center from about eight yards

[creekwood]

To add to what others have already said, I would like to mention that it is a little easier to follow the arrow in flight when using a four fletch.

[Hackbow]

I generally use 4 x 4" at 90* as well. Plenty of stability and zero thought when nocking an arrow.

Terry, I was looking at your 60 "Bloody Parachutes" picture and couldn't quite figure out what, if any, fletch color you preferred.  
 

[katman]

4x4 at 90 here. Shield look cooler but parabolic quieter, if that matters.

Love to read the passion some have for traditional archery. Graps, good to hear you are willing to try something different, that's how we learn what works best for each individual.

Terry talks the talk and can certainly walk the walk and agree with his posts and reasons for using his chosen gear(100yds in the dark is one heck of a shot), however I think it could be misunderstood, probably just me reading more into it. I am sure he will jump in a correct me if he thinks I am wrong. I did this at 60yds a while back and the results would be greater at 100yds. Shot nearly identicle arrows only differ by fletch from same bow with a sight pin at 60 yds. One 4x4 low profile banana other 4x4 5 1/2 shields. Actually shot several configurations to learn but these were at opposite ends of the spectrum. The lower profile fletched shaft hit significantly higher than the high back shields. So at 100yds the difference is there at these extremes. At hunting ranges we typically shoot it don't matter if its 3x5 or 4x4. If you shoot the same fletch all the time you learn your trajectory so find what works well and stick with it.

[Pine]

So I get my fletching jig out , clean the aluminum shafts with acitone , set up the jig for four fletch , get six feathers in the clamps , grab the fletching glue that I haven't used in over a year and $#@%&$ ,,, the glue is solid as a rock .      
OK , I have a bottle of Gateway fletching glue .
Used that .
Never set up .
I do not recommend any Gateway product .
That's all I have to say about that .Have some of the good stuff on order .
Guess I didn't need to fletch up these arrows today .

[Bowhunter4life]

I use both 4-fletch 4" shields and 3-fletch 5" shields...  If I'm shooting a 2 or 4 blade I'll have 4-fletch, and the head will be vertical.  Then it doesn't matter which way I nock the arrow...  When shots come fast and furious with dangerous critters it can make the difference between a good hit and a marginal hit...

[Captain*Kirk]

Originally posted by Graps:
So I get my fletching jig out , clean the aluminum shafts with acitone , set up the jig for four fletch , get six feathers in the clamps , grab the fletching glue that I haven't used in over a year and $#@%&$ ,,, the glue is solid as a rock .      
OK , I have a bottle of Gateway fletching glue .
Used that .
Never set up .
I do not recommend any Gateway product .
That's all I have to say about that .Have some of the good stuff on order .
Guess I didn't need to fletch up these arrows today .

Dale, do let me know how they turn out...good or bad. I might just try a few myself.

[tim roberts]

Some I recently made up...

 

Four, 4" feathers at 90 degrees.

[Captain*Kirk]

Sure look nice!

[sagebrush]

I always use four fletch. I like the fast recovery out of the bow. I also like not having to worry about a cock feather when watching an animal.

[drewsbow]

I use what works for me and that is 4x4" @90

[mangonboat]

My father was a machinist and made a 4 fletch @ 60/120 index for his fletching jig. If you set your nock height correctly , they seem to clear the sight window on older bows better than @90 and straighten out just as quickly. Obviously you have to glue your nock on your arrow properly.