Plastic Vanes???

[Kevin Hansen]

Having done an extensive search and read through 40 some different threads on this topic I'm curious enough that I want to experiment a bit with plastic vanes, and I've narrowed things down to a few basic questions.
1) It seems that there is somewhat of a concensus that Duravanes would be a good place to start??? 4"?????
2) Either off-set or helical seems like they should work fine?
3) Where can a person buy the Duravanes? Three Rivers informed me they sell only feathers now.
If anyone with first hand experience thinks I'm missing something feel free to enlighten me.
Thanks.
Kevin

[M60gunner]

Kevin, try Bowhunters supply in PA. I would not fletch them helical. Offset is ok but remember the higher ther vane profile the more chance it might hit something. I would also look into a raised arrow rest like a Bear Weather rest or my favorite the brush rest. Some archers raise their nock point real high and get good clearance but not me. I have shot the Blazer vanes from my Bear TD with a brush rest with no problems. I didnot like the Dura vanes I tried some years back. They were supposed to not need an elevated rest. Vanes are cheaper than feathers so you can experiment without a big cash outlay.

[Kevin Hansen]

Thanks for the input, M60.
Kevin

[anw0625]

Hey Kevin not trying to hijack you thread but what about the Bi-Delta Rain Vane?

[Jim Boettcher]

I get my Duravanes from Gander Mountain. Shoot em' off a Bear Weather rest, no problems.

[Kevin Hansen]

Originally posted by anw0625:
Hey Kevin not trying to hijack you thread but what about the Bi-Delta Rain Vane?

I don't really know anything about the Rain Vanes, or about any of the vanes for that matter. My thinking the Duravanes were the way to go is based on threads I read on this site. Maybe someone will tell me differently???
Kevin

[motorhead7963]

Well I just checked what I have in my own stock I shoot Duravanes 4" helical off the shelf out of two bows so far with real good results. I have been messing around with them for a year or two. I started out with vanetec's but they are waay! too stiff, I found the duravanes have a softer spine and I shoot them cock vane out, that way only one vane has the potential to hit the rest. The two bows I shoot them out of are: grayling Grizzly@60#s and a Martin Savannah@60#s both launch very well out of my bows and they fly true all the way to the target. Talk about quiet?? you can't do any better. When I first started to experiment I was shooting them out of a Super K @ 65#s and I didnt have enough point weight so they corkscrewed all the way to the target, not good!!! I have since solved the problem If I can swing the trip this year to Colorado for third season, I will bring my bow again and they will be fletched with my duravanes in the snow.

[moththerlode]

I would look at Flex Fleth if I was even thinking about vanes (which Im not)..they are more flexible and more forgiving.

[toddster]

Good luck, I tried just about all of them from the shelf and could not get them to fly as good as feathers, even jacking nock point way high.  I really believe only way to do it is with elevated rest.

[calgarychef]

I used to shoot the rain vanes off my recurve and they worked just fine off the shelf.  Then I tried off my ACS and nearly sliced my hand apart.  A glove on your bowhand is a good idea the first time around.  They really need to be lined up just right in relation to the nock to work.

I have had success shooting 2" Blazer vanes off the shelf. Although I will never prefer them to feathers, they are a good choice in wet weather if you can get them to shoot for you, and they do fly a bit faster. I fletch the Blazers  3 vanes/straight. I think it works because they are so short--archer's paradox kicks the arrow away from the bow before they touch it. PS often cock-feather in works better than out.

[Kevin Hansen]

I really appreciate all the thoughtful input from everyone. I shoot feathers off the shelf, and have done so for 25 or more years. So, why am I considering playing around with plastic??? Sometimes I just like to experiment.
From what I am reading it seems to me that using vanes is a YMMV type endeavor.
Keep the ideas coming, and again, thanks to all.
Kevin