Which feather shape?

[cajuntec]

I've always prefered the look of Shield cut over Parabolic.  I'm getting ready to purchase a 5" chopper (or two... or three   :cool:   ), and I'm wondering if I should stick with the Shield cut, or experiment with some of the other offerings... like:

Traditional
Pope and Young (two different looks, depending on which brand I go with - Vario or Little Chopper)
3R Swift
THawk

Recommendations?

All the best,
Glenn

[La. bowhunter]

I have been shooting shield cut for about 15 years now in compound and recurve I dont know if they shoot any better but I think they look better so I keep on shooting them. I really dont think it makes a lot of difference.

[cajuntec]

I don't think it makes much difference either - mostly looks.  I have heard that the "banana" shape acts a bit differently and some have commented that it is a bit "louder".  Don't really know though, as I have personally never shot it - didn't really care for the looks actually, although it probably looks good in a barred feather.

All the best,
Glenn

[JDinPA]

I shoot shield and parabolic. I like the shield the best but it's noisier than the parabolic.

[Don Armstrong]

I have found the banana cut to be quieter and seem to shoot better for me but it could be all in my head  :D  . Don

[Gatekeeper]

5" shields for looks. This is what I like.

[2Knives]

I have a:
5" shield
5" parabolic
5" banana
3" parabolic

I've also used the shield chopper and then cut the back end off the feather with scissors, kinda like the traditional.
I don't have a favorite...I lose/break too many arrows to become attached to them...I'm keeping Easton/Gold Tip in business!!!!  

[30coupe]

I have shot 5" parabolic, 5" shield, and 5-1/2" shield.

I don't know that there is a huge difference. I like the 5" shield the best. I think I get good flight and good looks with them. Never noticed much noise difference between them. I do think I lose a bit of speed with the 5-1/2" but doubt that it is significant.

I haven't tried banana cut. I'm not wild about the looks and they are harder to find since I don't cut my own feathers.

I also don't think there is much difference in 3 or 4 fletches, so I have been saving a feather and using 3 lately.

[Tree man]

I prefer shield. Parabolic are good and theoretically a tiny bit more efficient. Raptor cut get a lot of feather into a 5 inch chop but I don't love the look, nock interference or sound. Banana cuts don't appeal to me visually.

[JEFF B]

shield and indian style fletching real cool i think its called raptor not sure. 5"

[varmint]

I have a 5 1/2" high back shield,but am really starting to like the looks of the Traditional and Pope & Young,oh yeah.......and the T-Hawk.

[BAK]

Aerodynamically the parabolic is the most efficient and the quietest.  I've tried over a dozen shapes and still always come back to it.

[pointy sticks]

I like 5" shield always have. When I do splicings I burn the shape I want. I end up with what looks something like a slightly modified "orca"

 http://herbsarchery.com/orca.htm

[Paul Mattson]

I prefer the 5" Banana cut.  Get yourself a Vario feather clipper, from herbsarchery.  They are better made, and will last alot longer than a feather chopper.

[Jerry Jeffer]

nanners, nanners, nanners that's the way to go

[Can Hahaka]

I have parabolic and traditional. The traditional are much louder but seem to hold the line better in less than perfect conditions.

[Jeff Fortner]

I like Shield Cut feathers.  I also make self nocked arrows with turkey feathers that I have ground.  I don't chop them though.  I lay them on the bench and cut them to length.  Then I take a 1 inch wide steel ruler and lay it up against the quill.  I cut the feather off in a clean straight line.  The feathers are really abrupt in the airstream so they are a tad bit slower than my other arrows but they reallly sound cool when you are stump shooting!

[Fletcher]

Get a burner, then you'll have them all!    

[cajuntec]

Originally posted by Fletcher:
Get a burner, then you'll have them all!      

:D    No thanks.  I had a burner a while back that someone gave to me.  I used it... and then returned it with a "thanks".  Just not for me.  I didn't care for it at all.

I think I've pretty much decided to go with the Pope and Young cut on the Vario clipper.  Seems to be a good choice, and I like the looks.  Thanks for all the responses!

All the best,
Glenn

[Ragin Bull]

I have tried several types side by side and out of my bow nothing shoots like banana's