Does anyone know, of all the feathers out there, which manufacturer has the lowest profile shield cut feathers? I am currently shooting bear paw and I am pleased with them, but I wouldn't mind them being shorter, like their 3" feathers.
Hope this option doesn't stray too far from your question-
You could easily modify feather height with a rotary cutter and template (straightedge). I found a flat 6" machinist's rule that is precisely 12 mm wide. I have found greatly reduced fletching noise at 1/2 inch and lower feather heights.
Sure isn't TrueFlight. I prefer TF fletch, but their 4" shield is noticeably taller than the parabolic. It is easy enuf to trim or burn it shorter, tho.
I use the vario chopper and the shield blade, google herb haines custom archery, he is making a very similar product to the vario which is no longer available. You can adjust feather height with this chopper. Buying full length feathers also reduces your end cost per fletch since you can get 2 fletches from most of the feathers at 4".
You could get a 4 inch shield cut chopper and adjust it to chop narrow feathers or you could add a thin peice of wood on the shelf to make it shorter. Just buy full length feathers and you could possibly get 2 feathers out of 1.
"get a 4 inch shield cut chopper and adjust it to chop narrow feathers". This is what I do. I really like the lower profile.
X2 what katman said,I have one of Herb's feather cutters, great cutter with a lot of adj.
Sam