I haven't shot feathers in 15 years and I was hoping somebody could tell me what companies to avoid and which they prefer.
I still prefer TrueFlight, but Gateway and the others are OK, too.
As far as I know, there are three major companies producing archery feathers:
Gateway, Trueflight, and AMG. While there are differences between the three in how the bases are ground, colors or patterns available, length of a full length feather, and price, I don't think any arrow will know the difference once the fletching is glued on and the arrow is put to the bow.
Guy
turkey feathers the ones ya get yaself. :thumbsup:
I've shot both Trueflight and Gateway feathers and I prefer Gateway since I think they're more durable than Trueflight.
AMG all the way. Bought my first hundred from Joe Skipp and I'm ready for more. Very consistant cut and excellent quality. Mine have really taken a beating. Of the three major brands, AMG is now my favorite by a long shot.
I bought 100 5in parabolics from Sagittarius Archery when I was at Compton, $22.00 a(100), so far feathers have been great, they are higher backed than the other feather brands I have used AMG, trueflight etc! I bought Chartruese, very bright! I plan on ordering more from them in the future!
Sagittarius has great feathers. They don't show the characteristics of either Gateway or Trueflight, I don't know where they get them. Ruth is a little evasive when asked ;)
Sure great quality and prices, though.
Guy
The rumor is they are done in China. I think they are the same as AMG and a couple others.
TrueFlights are American feathers processed in Wisconsin. That is reason enough for me to use them.
Gateways are processed in Mexico.
I haven't tried AMG, but I like Trueflight only because the base of the feather is flat and smooth and the cuts are consistant. Gateway feathers have a narrow blocky base that sometimes is tough to glue.
I didn't have a preference between Gateway and True Flight until I bought a couple dozen Gateway RH 5" parabolic white barred (white/black) from Tradtech Archery. Those things looked terribly fake, and the offside looked even worse than the better looking side (gray instead of black, pale-looking). I wouldn't even consider putting them on an arrow of my making. I called and described them to a Tradtech rep and he quickly offered to replace them. Still, I have two dozen of those unsightly things if anybody wants them.
Too bad, because Gateway has some cool Tre-(whatever-color) and three color combo patterns I wouldn't mind trying.
Probably doesn't matter with solid colors as much, but I wouldn't recommend the Gateway barred to anybody. Never had that problem with True Flight and my default now adays is to just go with True Flight.
Neither, the best feather is a natural barred turkey feather and I get mine from David Mitchell. Can't beat them for durability and they can be dyed for color. I'd rather have a tough durable feather than a pretty color anyway.
I use either Barred Turkey or for wet weather Canada Goose feathers, they are naturally waterproof.....
Doesn't matter who you buy them from just as long as they are the real thing...
Goose feathers I get from Raven Arrows.....You can search on the internet.
:archer2: :archer2: :archer2:
You might try some of mine. They seem to do pretty good. But only natural barred trukey feathers.
Have used Trueflight & Gateway extensively over the years, and preferred Trueflight for seemingly more consistant quality. Bought a hundred AMG a few months back, and am very satisfied with the quality and durability.