Ive been shooting shield cuts and happy with them, but was wondering if there are any benefits to shooting a parabolic or banana cut?
Feathers with the same square area will stear the arrow similar to other cuts with the same area.
Some people experience more or less noise with particular shapes; your mileage may vary.
A cut with trailing edge can make a nice buzz on the way to the target. Maybe not good for hunting but it's impressive at the range.
Guy
As Grey said you may have more noise with one shape than another. The best way to find out is just try a few and see how it works for you.
notice the pronounced 'bzzzzzzzz' that pointy ended fletches such the pope & young or traditional make ziiiiiiip along.
banana shapes have been the quietest for me.
The shield make a little more noise than the parabolic. As far as flight differance, I don't notice any. I'm not fimiliar with the banana feltch, although an Amish friend of mine shoot's them all the time and likes them. I think it's just personal preferance. I like the looks of the shield cut, but that's just me! Jason
As long as your arrow is tuned well,I don't feel it matters.With my wood arrows I like sheild cut feathers and banana.But I really like parabolic these days,personal preference for me.
Yep try a few different and see what works for you.
I never really noticed much difference in flight for shield vs. parabolic, but there is a noise factor. It can also depend on your rest & nock height. I had a definate "click" with shield from my Bear Kodiak and I think it was the fletch catching the edge of the rug shelf. Does not occur with para.
As Rob said - when I tried some triangular P&Y style they looked terrific but made a buzzing noise.
Im going to try some banana cuts would it be best to fletch them helical as I do my sheilds, or keep them straight as i have seen in most photos?
I tried some 5 1/2" banana-they sounded like a chainsaw going downrange. I cut them down to 5" and they were silent. Hap
Yea,youll like the bananas.