OUCH!!! Need help please.

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

No matter what I do with nock-point, the feathers on my arrows nick the top of my index finger on my bow hand. The arrows fly very well (AD Trads with four 5" parabolic right-wing feathers). I lived with it through scratches, which turned into a blister, which now is an open sore. Any more and I'll dig into my bone! I just can't figure out how to get rid of the problem...

Switch to three feathers? Try lower profile banana cut feathers? Live with it and use a glove?

   

[Blackhawk]

If you are right handed, try switching to left wing feather.  BTW, four 5" feathers seem a bit excessive...so try three.  

Lately, I have been experimenting with using only two 5" feathers on my stumping arrows and am happy with the results.

[KentuckyTJ]

I'm sure you have already rotated the nocks to see if that works. Then what I would try next if you like four fletches is go to 4" feathers, they aren't as deep as the 5". If that doesn't work try three 5".

[Fletcher]

I had similar issues when shooting RW feathers; I'm a RH shooter.  Couple of things you can try:  clock your nock so the quill is moved away from your finger and make sure the front of the quills are well tapered to the shaft and spotted with glue.  

If you are a RH shooter, consider switching over to LW feathers.  3 fletch shot with the cock feather in or fletched at 12 o'clock are other options.  You're not alone, so let us all know what finally works for you.

[Jeremy]

I shot one bow that b/c of how the shelf and grip were it'd put my finger and hand right at or slightly above the shelf and there'd be feather contact regardless.  I built the shelf up and solved the problem.

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

Thanks folks. I'll try the three feathers with lower profile (4") and see if that works. I messed up when I bought my feather jig and got a right wing clamp. Now, after buying feathers and right bevel broadheads, I'd hate to reinvest in lefties...

How about an elevated rest? I like to be as traditional as possible but considering the bow is made with bow glass and the arrows are carbon, I suppose there's not much point in holding out on a rest if it will help. Any thoughts on the rest?

[lpcjon2]

I have had that happen when I grip a little high on my bow.you only need to lower your hand on the grip about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch.You can use masking tape(wrap a thin strip 1/8 from the shelf around a couple of times)to give you an indicator for your hand and after a while you can remove it.It will help train your hand for a lower grip on the bow.

[Irish]

I had that problem when I went back to trad a few years ago.   I started wearing a golf glove on my bow hand, which protected my hand.   I went to LW feather, and have been fine.  I have shot cock feather up, out and in with good results with LW feathers.  5 1/2 to 4 inch feathers.   I tried an arrow with RW a few months ago, and nicked my hand again.   For me, LW works (I am righthanded).

[Encino Man]

I'm a right handed shooter and I shoot left wing, left helical for that very reason. Anything that you can do to change where that leading point of the quill lands will help. And no. I don't see anything wrong with an elevated rest outside of the fact that they are a little more troublesome in a quick follow up shot.

[LongStick64]

This happens to me if the spine is on the stiffer side. Either a heavier tip or build the side plate out has worked for me.

[Danny Rowan]

Right handed shooters should shoot lw fletch for that very reason. I tried rw once and that happened to me also so went back to lw.

[Blackhawk]

...and don't forget a drop of glue on the front end of the quill.  

[scottm]

Ive noticed some brands of feathers have a thicker quill left on them than others.Maby either sand or buy feathers with less quill surface.It may not fix your problem but couldent hurt any thing if your going to try new feathers any way.I dont know just a thought.Correct me if im wrong fellas but i think gateway's have quiet a bit of qill left on them.im thinking that truflight has less quill left on them.

[Killdeer]

I was using an elevated rest when I was fifteen. That was almost forty years ago. Is that traditional?  

Killdeer  

[amicus]

Im shooting RW fletching and im right handed, its never happend to me. Is it possible that the arrows are little stiff? Anyway that would be my first guess.

Gilbert

[Jim now in Kentucky]

Most above are treating the symptom instead of the desease.

There's no rocket science here:

Trim the front of the feather base to slant down to nothing at the shaft. Put a drop of glue there and you will never be cut again. Only need to do this to the feather below the cock feather.

I have been doing this since I made my first arrows a dozen years ago and have NEVER BEEN CUT SINCE and I shoot a self bow with no shelf. My hand is the shelf.

All those other "cures" are unnecessary. You could put the feathers on backward and not get cut if you prepare the forward end of the quill this way.

[Jim now in Kentucky]

disease. Oh for an edit feature!

[Rob DiStefano]

4" 4-fletch, low profile banana, 75x105.

[barebow17]

Try shooting cock feather in.

[Killdeer]

Jim, there is an edit feature. Makes me look smarter than I am.

Killdeer