Fletching

[Greg Owen]

I have been reading all the info I can find on fletching for arrows. I can't find the info on someone who was shooting 2 fletched arrows and another who was shooting 3 inch feathers.  My 5 inch fletching I am suspecting is hitting the shelf before the arrow leaves the string and would like to try smaller fletching. Where can a person find 3 inch feather fletching?  How does 2 fletched arrows work? Thanks

[reddogge]

I've never tried that but I have had success with 4" straight offset fletched shields shooting Bear Razorheads years ago.

[aromakr]

Greg:
If your fletching is hitting the shelf, you have a spine problem and smaller fletching will just magnify the problem, yes you will get some feather wear with a finely tuned arrow but you shouldn't notice it visually. An yes two fletch does work I know two people here in Hamilton that use them.
Bob

[Greg Owen]

The fletching on the arrow is only 1/4 inch or so from the shelf when placed on the string and not pulled back. The Shrew is braced at 7.5 inches. But with the forward handle design there is only about 6 inches from the string to the shelf. With 5 inch feathers and fletched 3/4" from the end, the fletching is very close to the shelf before the arrow leaves the string. This is why I thought smaller fletching would help

[john fletch]

Historically the Hidatsa used a two feather twisted fletch.  I could not find any original photos, but I made some for a friend and they performed well at shorter distances.  The feathers were long and tall.

My best luck with a short feather, both length and height has been with a four fletch.  I especially like the 105-75 angle better than the 4x90

Spine may be an issue, but the Shrew looks like it has as much or more shelf clearance than most bows.

I think you could get the same stabilizing surface with 4 x 3" feathers as you would with 3 x 5"

[Greg Owen]

That's what I was thinking but where can I get 3" feathers? Forgive me if this is a stupid question. Can I just cut down 5 inch feathers?

[BOWMARKS]

Had same problem with wear on shelf I went to left wing solved my problem . If you have a chopper its very easy to cut down feathers to what you want .

[Greg Owen]

I was just reading a site that mentioned using 2 feathers and 2 vanes. The feathers were for the shelf contact and the vanes were for rain/snow performance. Any one here tried this?

[vtmtnman]

Originally posted by Greg Owen:
That's what I was thinking but where can I get 3" feathers? Forgive me if this is a stupid question. Can I just cut down 5 inch feathers?

Sent you a PM about 3" feathers.I'm not sure if I can post a non sponsor link here.

You can't cut down 5".Well,I guess you could but is it really worth your time?

[robtattoo]

Kingwouldbe uses the 2 fletch arrangement (to good effect by all accounts) I use 3" parabolics myself. I fletch in a 4-fletch, 90* arrangement. I must admit that getting my bareshafting right was a lot more critical, but the advantages I've found far outweigh the extra work involved (You only need to bareshaft once. When it's right, just note down your weights/measurements for next time.
I've found that the small fletches fly faster, flatter, quieter & don't flatten down so badly in the wet. I shoot the big Magnus 1 two-bladers, 99% of the time & have zero trouble wih stability.

[dagwood64]

Have you tried cock feather in, instead of facing out. Since I did that I don't even notice feather wear. I believe Eichler shoots his arrows this way.
Duane

[BEN]

I had that problem and tried shooting cock-feather in:  problem solved!

ben