What size feathers should I use?
In general, for hunting arrows tipped with broadheads, we
have found three 5 inch feathers or four 4 inch feathers work well.
Light weight carbon arrows have been successfully fletched with
three 4 inch feathers. Due to individual differences in
equipment and shooting style, larger feathers may be required.
It is also possible that good flight can be achieved with smaller
feathers. Test shooting is the best way to decide on any
particular set up.
It is important to remember that broadheads will need more
guidance than field points. It is also extremely important that
broadhead equipped arrows fly "dead straight" with no yawing or
fishtailing. An arrow that is yawing down range is not only
inaccurate, but if it hits game it loses much of its penetration.
I'm right handed, should I use right wing or left wing
feathers?
You can successfully shoot either wing. An arrow does not
rotate noticeably until it is well clear of the bow.
Left wing feathers should be used to rotate the arrow
counter clockwise, right wing clockwise (as viewed by the
shooter).
How can I tell if my feathers are right or left wing?
First method: Look at the nock end of an arrow (as though it
is about to be shot), and rotate it so that one fletching is on
top of the shaft. If the "catch lip" is to the left of the web,
it is a right wing feather. If the "catch lip" is to the right
of the web, it is a left wing feather (see diagram).
Second method: Hold the forward end of a diecut (pointed
end) or full length feather (large end) toward yourself. Look
down from the top. Rotate the feather so that its web is
horizontal and its natural curve droops the end pointed away from
you downward ("shedding rain" as opposed to "catching rain"). If
the web is to the right of the quill base, it is a right wing
feather. If the web is to the left of the quill base, it is a
left wing feather.
Should I use RIGHT wing with a RIGHT helical clamp, and LEFT wing with a LEFT helical clamp?
Yes. RIGHT wing for a RIGHT helical clamp. LEFT wing for a LEFT helical clamp.
Should I use straight, offset or helical fletching clamps?
We strongly recommend offset or helical fletching on all
arrows.
Offset or helical fletching causes the arrow to rotate in
flight just like the rifling in a gun barrel causes bullet to
rotate. This is extremely important. The rotation acts like a
gyroscope to stabilize the arrow. This rotation also "averages out" any slight microscopic imperfections in the arrow.
This advantage was reportedly first noticed in smooth bore muskets, shooting round lead balls. The smooth bores were accurate to about 50 yards. However simply adding rifling to the barrel (or even angled scratches inside the barrel!) caused accuracy to improve enough so that the accurate range became 150 yards. This increase was apparent even when shooting the same round lead balls.
Helical fletching offers more stability than a simple offset
and is therefore the first choice for any arrow tipped with a
broadhead.
How much fletching offset should I use?
If the forward end of a 5 inch feather is 1/16 inch offset
from the rear, this equals about 3/4 of one degree. We find this
works well for most offset or helical fletched arrows
How far forward from the rear of the arrow should I place the feathers?
The rear of the feathers should be far enough forward to clear the shooters fingers or release mechanism when releasing the string. For finger shooters this is usually about 1 to 1 1/2 inches or 25 to 38 mm.
The feathers should also be far enough forward so that their bases can be securely attached to the shaft, not the nock.
All else being equal, the further to the rear the feathers are, the more efficient the guidance. The feathers should not be any further forward than is necessary for clearance.
Do "Round Back" (or "Parabolic") and "Shield Back" fly
differently?
We haven't been able to detect any difference in the
performance of round back or shield back. It appears that the
only difference is one of appearance. Round back are more
popular in the United States; shield back are more popular in
Europe.
What adhesive should I use to fletch feathers?
Any good fletching adhesive will work well with feathers.
Instant fletching glues are available, and very convenient
"feathers fletching tape" has just come on the market. All work
very well with feathers.
How should I prepare the quill base of the feather for
fletching?
The base of every "Trueflight Feather" is ground clean and
dry in our processing. No further preparation is needed.
How Should I Prepare The Shaft For Feather Fletching?
We normally begin by wiping the fletching area of the shaft
with alcohol, then lightly scuff the area with 600 grit sandpaper
or fine steel wool. We do a final alcohol wipe a few minutes
before fletching.
What is a “Flu-Flu” arrow?
A “Flu-Flu” arrow is an arrow which has extra large fletching area for extra drag. These arrows are typically used for shooting at aerial targets. The idea is that the extra fletching slows the arrow rapidly after 30 yards or so. With a “Flu-Flu” arrow, you can shoot upwards without your arrow winding up in the next town!
How can I make a “Flu-Flu” arrow?
There are 2 basic methods:
1) Use a standard fletching jig to fletch 6 (or more!) 6 inch long feather sections clipped from full length feathers, with their web left full height. The extra high web of the feather can be temporarily “squashed” in the clamp when they are fletched. A conventional 3 fletch jig can do a six fletch by simply first doing a regular 3 fletch, then removing the arrow, rotating 180 degrees and placing back in the jug to fletch 3 more feathers. We recommend a straight clamp with some offset, or a helical clamp, for even more drag.
Example of type 1 Flu-Flu fletching
2) Another type of “Flu-Flu” can be made by wrapping 2 or more full length feathers in a spiral around the fletching area of an arrow. We like to use “Contact Cement” as the adhesive for these arrows. Simply paint the glue on the fletching area of the arrow and base of the feather, let dry for 10 minutes, then “eyeball” wrap the spiral on the arrow. Use more than 2 feathers for more drag. Use contrasting colored feathers for a really interesting arrow.
Click here for complete instructions to make this kind of flu-flu.
Example of type 2 Flu-Flu fletching
Can I really hit a FLYING target... in the air?
Yes, it is more possible than you might think. Have a friend standing near you toss a foam disc target, or even a 1 gallon plastic milk jug (with a bit of sand for extra weight). Start with close ranges. Have your friend toss the target about 20 feet ahead and above you to start. Don’t count on using a sight! This is instinctive shooting at it’s best.
What is "Feather Splicing"?
Feather Splicing is a way of joining 2 or more pieces of feather (usually of contrasting color) resulting in a very attractive "two tone" fletching. For example, many archers like to add a bright feather piece to the rear of their fletching to act as a high visibility tracer. (See
examples
Is "Feather Splicing" hard to do?
Not really! One simple method is to start with 2 die cut feathers, of different colors. Cut each quill (lower base of the feather) the same distance back. The web of each cut feather will easily separate (nature's own velcro!). Next butt the quill of the front of one die cut against the quill of quill of the rear of another as they are put into your fletching clamp. Glue normally. When the glue sets, remove the clamp and smooth the webs together (nature's velcro again!)
Another method of splicing is to fletch 2 or more sections of "full length" feather pieces, then cut or burn the final shape with a feather burner.
How can I make my own custom shaped feather fletchings?
One traditional way is to fletch sections of full length feathers (say 4 or 5 inches long), then when all sections are glued to the shaft, use a "feather burner" to trim them. The "Young Feather Burner" is still being sold -- check with your local dealer.
A quicker method is to start with standard die cut feathers, then make a single cut through each quill. Discard one part of the feather (the webs will unzip like velcro), and use the rest as an "instant" custom shape. Make the cuts on all feathers at the same distance from the nose or tail of the die cut for a matched set.
How Can I Waterproof My Feathers?
Excellent dry powder waterproofing for feathers are now
available. Bob Rightnour's "Fletch Dry" adds virtually no weight
to an arrow, does not stiffen the feather web and does an amazing
job of waterproofing.
If you are caught in the rain without any waterproofing, a
small "baggy" can be slipped over the feathers until the
arrow is ready to be shot.
Where Can I Get More Information On Feathers?
Please read our discussion of
Feathers Vs Plastic Vanes
which gives more interesting details about feather
fletching.
