Parabolic -vs- Shield cut noise.

[T Folts]

I was at a shoot recently and I was shooting shield cuts and my buddy was shooting parabolics and we were videoing with my phone just for the fun of it and I was shocked at the noise difference between the two. The arrows were loud compared to his. I told him it was because my arrows were so fast but I was kidding. I like the looks of shield cuts and have alot on hand but I am rethinking my position. anyone else switch because of the down range noise. Im sure a animal couldnt react because of the incoming arrow but could they?? I've taken many whitetail with them but not a squirrel, maybe that is the reason? Boy I get close but havent connected yet.
Terry

[katman]

I also find parabolic quieter. Not sure it matters with big game.

[two4hooking]

Yes, quieter. That is all i shoot now.

[cacciatore]

You can easily reshape yours with scissor,to make them parabolic.

[Michael Arnette]

I've noticed the same thing, and I shoot parabolic. I don't think an animal would react to the sound until the arrow was too close...it's string/shot noise they react to more as well as the movement of the shot.

[yaderehey]

I think shields look really cool too, but I stopped using them because I could hear them.  I figured if I could hear them...  Most of us obsess over bow noise and the like.  Why would I want a noisy arrow in flight.  Parabolics for me now.

[Orion]

High, worn fletching is also noisier.  Yeah, shields are a little noisier.  I burn my own.  Have been using them for about 40 years now. Killed lots of critters large and small with them.  Don't see any reason to change.

[OregonTom]

I've noticed many primitive arrows have a very long but short fletch.  Low profile seems to make a quiet , fast arrow.

[Jim Wright]

I initially made my arrows with shields and found that I could not make a dozen that were quiet. Since switching to parabolics years ago it remains my impression that they are always quiet. Don't know how much difference it makes but they cost the same and to me quiet is good.

[Terry Green]

Most of these....(95%) are shield cut, and are some of my most prized kill arrows that I saved for one reason or another....but not all my kill arrows.  This pic was taken in 2013 and I've added a few more.

Noise?....maybe it was the last thing they heard.  Heck if I know or care.  They seem to work for me.

   

[M60gunner]

Howard Hill commented that shield cut is noisy that is why he liked parabolic. Of course he shot a lot of his game at longer ranges than most of us would not. Maybe there is some true to ourexcuse about the deer "jumping the string".

[kennym]

Shields are noisier, that is all I claim to know about it. I switched just in case, and because you get a little more glove clearance. Critters don't like wiping a leather shooting glove across the back of a feather.....  :D

[JR Williams]

Always used shield cut here, and never noticed any noise except from worn fletching. But I may put together a parabolic fletched arrow and check it out.

[Bladepeek]

My 5" shield cut fletching also makes my arrow act stiffer than the corresponding, slightly lower, 5" parabolic fletch. I might be right on the border line of "too stiff" and that little bit of difference in fletching area pushes it over the limit. I only know I can shoot about 50gr more up front on the shield cuts and get the same arrow flight. The lower parabolics SEEM (I don't have a chrono) slightly faster, but I shoot them both and since I'm nearly stone deaf, I don't worry about it.

My hunting arrows have 5" shield cut with a lot of broadhead weight up front and the parabolics are for my 3-D shooting with about 50 gr less point weight.

[Terry Green]

But I do agree that parabolic are quieter.

[reddogge]

With my hearing they are ALL quiet so I got my wife who has bat like hearing to open the screen but keep head inside of window and listen to me shooting several arrows a few feet from her both parabolic and shield and she could not detect any difference or hear much noise at all.

The reason she has bat like hearing? She has never run a lawnmower, chainsaw, weed whacker, tractor, or shot ducks out of a boat with a partner.

[cacciatore]

Originally posted by reddogge:
With my hearing they are ALL quiet so I got my wife who has bat like hearing to open the screen but keep head inside of window and listen to me shooting several arrows a few feet from her both parabolic and shield and she could not detect any difference or hear much noise at all.

The reason she has bat like hearing? She has never run a lawnmower, chainsaw, weed whacker, tractor, or shot ducks out of a boat with a partner.

[Doc Nock]

[Trond]

Tested out some 5" traditional fletching on skinny Penthalon Timber Stick 600's, and if you're going huntin' these are not your fletching. Giver out a rather cool sound on it's way to the target, but probably not something you would want for a hunting arrow. 3D animals and stumps dont svare easily...

[Possum Head]

Like Michael said above, bow noise is what gets attention. I say shoot what cut makes you happy!