Do you re-fletch when they start to get a bit worn or do you wait until there's a major malfunction?
Not until the feathers are getting really ragged or one of them gets torn off the shaft, either partially or totally.
Allan
My practice arrows get pretty ragged by 4-5 weeks depending on the weather. My hunting arrows get refletched if the blood doesn't wash out well enough and interferes with flight. I use tape over wraps so I just break the glue bead at the front or back and pull them off, touch up with a little acetone on a rag and slap them back down.
When they get real raggedely ugly. Usually, I lose them long before they need refletching. Bill
Right after I shoot one off LOL. If your bow is tuned good and your fletching is a little raggedy I don't think it would hurt unless it's floppin in the wind.
JMO
Speaking of, Whats THE Best Way to Remove Old Fletch off of Wood Arrows?? :confused: That doesnt Destroy the Wood Underneath Them, that is! :goldtooth:
Not very often. I am cheap. The red and white ones are too nice to shoot. The blue and white are just nicely broken in and I don't feel too bad shooting more than one at the same spot. They still flay a broad head great, but probably a little noisy for shooting at white tails so I will probably use some better ones for that. The gray and white ones are getting about ready for some work. The last one is due now, but the other two still have some life. Seriously that last one will still shoot with a new fletched arrows if I am not way off on my form. I call it a hybrid bare shaft; it shoots like a fletched arrow, but shows form and tune issues.
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i202/thaner/P1010259.jpg)
If they aren't chewed up or torn, a steaming will bring them back. I only refletch when they reall need it.
Shakes, I can usually pop them off with my thumbnail, then smooth the glue area by scraping with a vertical knife blade. It won't hurt if you get into the wood a little bit.
I dont refletch untill they are peeling off. I like worn feathers, it just shows you practice.
If the arrow doesn't fly straight any more.
worn feathers are quieter than new stiff ones for me so my hunting arrows are usually my old practice arrows and I keep that rotation going as I re-fletch. I like the ones that have been through a deer, rinsed off and steamed to shape. They are real quiet and proven.
Bob Urban
If you like to re-fletch wood or carbon use fletch tape. Stuff is awesome and re-fletch is a breeze