Fletching Question

[WPAtrapper]

I'm gonna order some arrows for my first recurve and was wondering if it matters if I have them fletched left or right helical? Also, I plan on fletching my own eventually and if fletching with a left helical I would want to use a left wing feather, correct?

[Richie Nell]

Correct...LW feather-- Left helical  RW feather -Right helical

I shoot right handed and right wing. A lot of folks shoot left wing for some reason that I am not aware of.  
One benefit of RW is that it helps keep screw on points tight.

[jcar315]

Welcome!

IMO no difference between LW and RW fletching. Be sure to get them all done the same way though. Don't get some with left and others with right. Commit to either and stick with it...makes things much easier.

Left clamps use left wing feathers. Making arrows is alot of fun! Lots of good info here.

[JRY309]

LW or RW doesn't really matter,alot of arrows today have tunable nocks.I just rotate them for the best feather clearence.But a personal preference I like LW for me being RH,it gives me the best clearence on other arrows with glue-on nocks.Yes you would want LW feathers for a LW clamp.

[Chris40]

WPA,
  It doesn't matter really.  The old rule was right hand shooter left wing, left hand right wing.  It doesn't make a difference really.
  You want to use a left wing feather if you go with left helical.  Make sure you buy a jig that is left helical when you decide to get one.  Blitzenberger makes a nice jig that gives you alot of options and adjustability.  Also, usually left wing feathers are more available than right wing in different colors a variations.  Hope that helps.

[boznarras]

That is correct, you need left wing feathers for a left helical fletcher. (Or right wing for a right fletcher.) Obviously all the fletches on any one arrow have to be the same to work properly.
Some fletchers (eg Bitzenberger)will let you go either way if you buy another clamp and another nock index for the other side orientation.
People use both right and left, I don't know if it matters which one you pick. Maybe some rests or shelf contours work better with one or the other?
I bought a left wing set up because my buddy had a right wing, and that way we can use natural feathers that we get and share them.
Have fun.

[WPAtrapper]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm gonna go with the left wing/helical since they do seem to have more color options.

[Chris40]

An interesting thing I heard or read.  Not sure how true.  The reason why Left Wing (real turkey) feathers are more available is because when domestic turkey wings are clipped, the right wing is cut more often because most people are right handed. hold the wing with your left hand and cut the wing with your right?  So the left wing doesn't get cut.  Maybe someone can elaborate.  I thought it was interesting is all.

[smokin joe]

Left wing feathers are more commonly available, and in more colors usually. For that reason only I fletch with left wing even though I have clamps for both right and left. You can't go wrong either way except for the availability factor.

[Ragnarok Forge]

One upside to left wing is that you can adjust your fletch on the shaft and tune your nocks so that you can use the back of the feather as a second anchor point that touches your nose.