3 Feathers or 4

[PastorSteveHill]

What is the advantage or lack thereof to 3 Feathers vrs. a 4 Fletched arrow?

[Scott G]

I like to use four 4" feathers.  I can get two 4" feathers out of a full length feather so I can fletch 1 arrow with 2 full length feathers.

With four feathers I don't even look to see if I have cock feather in or out.  I think I can get away with lower profile feathers too.  

Thats my take on them.

[BamBooBender]

The only advantage I know of for three fletch over four fletch is a few fps of speed. A lot of advantages to a four fletched arrow, some of which were mentioned above. I really don't know why four fletch arrows aren't more popular than they are.

[TaterHill Archer]

I like the stability of a 4 fletch arrow, but I've had trouble getting riser clearance like it get with 3 fletch

[Vig]

Pretty much a matter of preference, as far as I know.  A little simple math shows that between the two more popular setups (3 five inch fletch vs. 4 four inch fletch on an arrow) you get a little more surface area of feather on the four fletch arrow (3 X 5 =15 linear inches of feather vs 4 X 4 =16 inches).  

-Vig

[xia_emperor]

try them both, I did and I picked 3 fletch. good luck. plus it costs a little more to put four on.    I have a friend on here who shoots with just two. Traxx are you around??

[elk ninja]

I am a four fletch man.  The only downfall I have encountered.... slightly more cost.  See what works for you.
Mike

[Jerry Jeffer]

I like 4 fletch.  I can use smaller size and not worry about ..... well, what Scott said.    

[Charlie Lamb]

Much easier to get two 4" cuts from a full length feather... die cut guys are out of luck!    

Added stability is always a plus...yeah I know, "if the arrow is tuned, blah, blah, blah".
Stability helps once the arrow is past the bow as well. Like in wind or encounters with light brush or grass.

Stability means penetration!!!

[ChuckC]

Vig.   this came up in another thread.  Can someone smarter than me do some research.  

It was pointed out that there is more linear inches of feather using 4 fletch, but I have to believe that due to the shape of those feathers, this is misleading.  

I am thinking that It is not the length of feather at arrow level that steers the arrow, but the stuff sticking up.  the area of the feather.  I believe there is ample more area using 3 fletch 5" than 4 fletch 4".  Anyone up to the challenge ?   Since they are not square or actual triangles, it is above my pea brain to calculate areas.

Weight comparison may not work, since the quill of the feather is probably heavier than the vane.  

How about a photocopy of a 5" feather and a 4" feather.  That way all feathers are the same thickness (weight) and place 4 4" feathers on one side of a balance and 3-5" copies on the other ?
Interesting
ChuckC

[matt schuster]

I feel that 4 small feather gives me a little less sound, but plenty of stability.  Which helps when shooting at jumpy critters.   That said, most animals I've shot really didn't care too much how many feathers were on the arrow. . .lol.