4 fletch

[Scattergun2570]

Was at the range today and saw a guy who had 4 fletchings,not 3. I asked why..he said they fly better than 3,and stabilizes quicker.. Anyone use 4 fletch,or have any thoughts on this?

[Grey Taylor]

A whole bunch of people use four fletch. I never found a need for it myself. Doesn't mean it's wrong, though.

Guy

[Mongo]

I've used four fletch on some of my hunting arrows with 160gr. Snuffers.  They do stabilize a little quicker at the cost of slowing down quicker due to increased surface area.

The one other thing with a four fletch is that you don't have to align it like a three fletch.

[Night Wing]

Basically, three or four fletch comes down to personal preference. I like three fletch.

[JRY309]

I shoot both 3 and 4 fletch,shot 3 for years but then made up some 4 fletch.They shot just as well if not better.Most of my arrows I make these days I'm using 4 fletch.Like Night Wing says it comes down to personal preference.On a well tuned arrow it makes little difference which one you use.

[Terry Green]

When you get into a fire fight.....the no-look nocking comes in handy.....I switched years ago and doubt I'll ever shoot 3 again.

And, if you go from say 5.5 inch high back shields to 5 inch regular shields,(like I did) you WONT have a cost of slowing down.  You sure aren't going to shoot the difference at normal hunting differences.

[Zradix]

I'm shooting 4 fletch on some heavy arrows now.
It works well.

After doing the math, I found I could have four lower profile ( quieter ) fletch that had more total surface area than my normal 3 fletch.

This 4 fletch set up did end up being quieter.

I didn't notice the drop in speed although I'm sure adding that extra feather must have slowed it down some tiny amount.

I used a " + " configuration.
Some use a " X ".

I felt the + looked more balanced..so I went with it.

[Jack Denbow]

I have been shooting 4 fletch since 1969, I guess you could say I like them.
Jack

[Hermon]

Originally posted by Terry Green:

And, if you go from say 5.5 inch high back shields to 5 inch regular shields,(like I did) you wont have a cost of slowing down.  You sure aren't going to shoot the difference at normal hunting ranges.

Terry-
You are shooting 4 - 5" feathers?

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by Jack Denbow:
I have been shooting 4 fletch since 1969, I guess you could say I like them.
Jack

Dang Jack....I was only 5 years old when you made the switch....isn't that the year we landed on the moon?

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by Hermon:

You are shooting 4 - 5" feathers?

Yes Sir.  Found out it has real advantages years ago.

[Mudd]

I got hooked on 4 fletch with my Snag arrows.

I still have a lot of 3 fletch but any new arrows that come here to live will have 4 on them.

God's grace and peace!

[3Feathers]

Do you guys use a straight or a helical fletch on those with 4 feathers?

[creekwood]

Here is a photo of some 4 inch four helically fletched arrows. Also, the bow is the Hi-Breed that Jack Guard just bought on this year's St Jude's auction.  Like Terry said, when you get into a "fire fight", ya don't have ta look to see how the nock is oriented and I also can't see any loss in velocity either. Incidently, these arrows are made using the Beman MFX shafts.


   

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by 3Feathers:
Do you guys use a straight or a helical fletch on those with 4 feathers?

You should NEVER use straight fletch with broadheads.  Either helical of off set.

[Terry Green]

Hey Creek....you are the guy that sent me that nice note along with the bow aren't you?

Maybe Jack will let me keep it for a few weeks...I got a hog hunt coming up.

[Zradix]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
 

Originally posted by 3Feathers:
Do you guys use a straight or a helical fletch on those with 4 feathers?

You should NEVER use straight fletch with broadheads.  Either helical of off set. [/b]

Yep.
I prefer helical.

[Zradix]

I should say though..
I really like the 4 fletch on heavy arrows.

The next batch I'm making up are going to be a lot lighter and I'll be going with 3 fletch on those.

I have noticed when comparing different arrow setups side by side the ones with higher foc AND 5" or so 4 fletch will act like a wind vane in a crosswind.

Like everything, there is a certain balance that is nice to achieve.

...4 fletch just look cool too.

[creekwood]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
Hey Creek....you are the guy that sent me that nice note along with the bow aren't you?

Maybe Jack will let me keep it for a few weeks...I got a hog hunt coming up.

Terry, Although I know that Jack can't wait to get his hands on his new bow, I'll bet he could stand to wait a few more weeks, after all, all it will do is give the bow more history and mojo. That is one sweet shooter, for sure. Hey Jack! Are ya out there reading this? What do ya say?       P.S. - The reason I had the bow last fall is because I won the use of it in last year's St Jude's fund raiser. Thanks again to chopx2 for making all this fun possible.  
 

[RUTANDSTRUT]

i have noticed if a had a slightly "untunable" 5" 3fletch arrow with broadheads, then switched to a 4" 4 fletch, it would definetely stabilze my arrow better usually correcting the original problem while seeing no difference in trajectory out to about 30 yards .  This should NOT be a remedy for an untuned arrow but rather a step up in stabilization needed for some shooting styles where a perfectly bareshaft tuned arrow is not possible.  fyi: i shoot with a "lazy" third finger where my perfectly spined arrows always bareshaft tune with a nock high position regardless of where nocking point is located.  4fletch look cool too!