Left Helical Feathers in a Right Helical Jig

[ewarshaw]

Hi Folks,
I ended up with a great deal on some feathers but I didn't realize that they were left helical and I have a right helical Bitzinberger jig.  I fletched one arrow with three feathers and they seem to be holding, although I haven't shot the arrow yet to see how it will perform.  I suppose I could get a left jig feather clamp, but I didn't get enough feathers to justify doing that.
I read somewhere that you should never do this, but I did because I was curious to see how it would turn out. Could you give me your thoughts and experience on this? By the way, it is a wood arrow with a glue-on field point.
Thanks.

[moebow]

Try it and see.  But the rule is left with left and right with right.  By the way, there is no such thing as a left helical feather just left or right WING feathers.  The fletching jig puts the feathers on with either a helical twist or a straight alignment.

[s_mcflurry]

I've heard a lot of opinions on this, which makes me think that it doesn't matter.  Right-handed shooters, though, generally use right helical (but either right or left wing) on their arrows for shelf clearance.  The one sure way to find out is to fletch up a couple of arrows and fire away.  If you have the opportunity, fletch with right wings and compare.  I'm interested to find out the results actually.

[reddogge]

Topic should be in Pow Wow but the helical clamp follows the NATURAL curve of the feather so what you are doing is very unnatural and will give less than optimum performance and looks.  A straight clamp with a right offset would work and look just fine.

[ewarshaw]

Thanks.  I wasn't sure where to put this question.  I have several fletched with right wing feathers (although they're four on an arrow).  As soon as I get a chance to shoot it more than the 13 feet I have across my basement, I'll post a follow-up.
Thanks for the feedback.