I have a 35# recurve on the shelf there is a raised plastic pad. the pad is bent down at the front and back edges. I ordered some arrows when they showed up they were fletched with real feathers. when i shoot the arrows the one fletch gets torn up between the shelf pad and side of bow. can I take the pad off and put on a fur pad and lower the nock.
I have not seen that, but I would replace it with Velcro if it is just a standard curve shelf type bow. Then adjust the nock. You can also try to just rotate the arrow 180 and shoot the cock feather in. That should keep your feathers clear of the rest if the arrow is the correct spine and the nock is at the right height.
Try shooting with the cock feather in.
a picture of what your working with would be most helpfull non the less yes you can put different materials on the shelf . i prefer thick leather gluedto the shelf and as a strike plate. i also put a sliver of leather under the center of the shelf leather. than set your knocks so your cock feather is 90 degrees from the side of the bow. good luck bro