I am playing around with arrow making and will be making a couple 4 fletch, with 5 inch feathers. I figure WAY over kill, but I do not have 4 inch feathers and wanted to see what will happen. I figure a bit slower, a bit louder and a bit more forgiving upon poor release. Any comments form those that know more than me?
Bob.
I just talked about this on another post. Short high feathers will stabilize but go down range and listen to them fly by. Noise!!!! Long low feathers down range. Quiet!!!! I always shoot the longest and lowest feathers to eliminate noise.
If using four fletch the feathers can be cut or burnt lower than if you were using three fletch.
There may be a slight decrease in speed, but remember the real issues on any fletching is noise and stabilization. Very few archers actually go down range and listen to their arrows fly by. If you do not believe me go to a archery shoot where the practice range is set up where you can safely be in a position to be at the side down range. You will be amazed at how many archers shoot noisy arrows and you do not have to be close either.
I like four fletch for connivence and looks.
I shoot 3 5" shields and mine stabilize really well with little if any noise. I think they all create a certain amount of sizzle, but it can be minimized by a lower profile just like Knapper said. The 4 fletch may recover quicker, but I don't like that extra feather against my arra rest. May not hurt anything, but I just don't prefer it being there. I guess it's just a matter of personal preferrence? That extra feather will slow your arras down quicker, but at 20 yards it's doubtful you would notice much difference?
Thanks fellas,
I just shot two of them with a Stos broadhead against a simular arrow in weight and spine but 3, 5 inch fletch. I did not use a chronograph so speed is subjective at best.
Results,
/ No noticable noise difference. ( son was at target in safe postion, could not tell which arrow was which, real quiet)
/ Both could hit a deer leg bone placed vertically in the ground at 17 yards.
/ Both appeared to have same velocity ( agan, no chrono so who knows).
Opinion,
/ No real result of significance.
/ I think the 4 flecth looks cooler - whatever.
/ 4 fletch MAY be more forgiving of bad release
/ 4 fletch does not make more noise at release even with more bow contact.
Anybody else ahve any info or comments they want to share?
Bob.
I use 4x4 and there is less noise than 3x5 on my set up. Granted I'm using banana so there's no tail on the fletch. The real noise maker. I shoot Magnus 1 and they stabilize just fine. Even in high wind. 4x4=16" of feather and 3x5=15" of feather. If that matters. Plus not worrying about nock placement is a bonus and I agree they just look cool!
I played around with 4 fletch a couple of years ago.I fletch some arrows with 3-5" and a few with 4-5",they both grouped together at 20 yds.I've done 4-4" and 4-5" and they both shoot great.There will probably big a larger difference out past 25-30+ yds,but most ethical hunting shots are less then 20 yds.
I have switched to 4 fletch. I just like how I don't have to look at the arrow and turn it around in order to nock the arrow. In some hunting situations that could be important. Don't really see much difference in flight or noise. In a slight breeze they do seem to stabilize nicely though.
I played with 4-3" feathers fletched the way explained on the old arrows by Kelly(dont remember?)They flew fast/quiet with broadheads(Magnus,Stingers,deadheads,razorcaps)great.Still use them occasionally for 3-D, but use my 3-4" fletch for majority of my shooting.
3 Fletch is cheaper in the long run!
BowHuntingFool, not really because you can actually cut and get 2 4" feathers from one. I shoot 4- 4" feathers 80% of the time on my 35/55 Gold Tips and Tapered Sitka Spruce arrows.. I have shot 3-5" 3-5 1/2" and 4 -4". If you do the math: 3x5 = 15" of feather, 3x5 1/2" =16 1/2"'s of feather and 4x4"= 16"'s of feather.For some reason I really like the way the 4-4" fly out of my Longbows.
Yeah I guess so...if you chop your own feathers its probably cheaper in the long run! :thumbsup:
I like 4 fletch,they spin well,easy to see and don't have to look when nocking,just my personal taste. :)
I like the way my four by four inch feathers fly out of my recurve a lot. Plus as stated above the no look nocking is an added bonus!
You will have to decide whether to use 90x90 or 75x105 fletch spacing. The attached photos are four inch bananas using 75x105. I like them for all the reasons previously mentioned...
(http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j456/jalariso/4fletch.jpg) (http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j456/jalariso/ShrewN4fletch.jpg) (http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j456/jalariso/4fletchInTarget.jpg)
Everyone in my house shoots 3 inch - four fletch shield cuts on our arrows. Two reasons, they fly great, and we can index and nock an arrow without looking at it. Throw in the cost savings and it is a winner for us. My experience is that the larger fletch were serious overkill. The more I work on form the less important large fletch become.
QuoteOriginally posted by creekwood:
You will have to decide whether to use 90x90 or 75x105 fletch spacing. The attached photos are four inch bananas using 75x105. I like them for all the reasons previously mentioned...
(http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j456/jalariso/4fletch.jpg) (http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j456/jalariso/ShrewN4fletch.jpg) (http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j456/jalariso/4fletchInTarget.jpg)
Creekwood- are those fletched with a straight clamp? In the pictures there does not seem to be much helical. Good looking arrows.
4" lo-pro banana 4-fletch, offset w/no helical, 75x105 or 90x90 ... this has been my staple fletching setup and works significantly well.
i didn't like four" 4 fletch.. stick with 3 5"
Creekwood,
Where did you get the 4" bananas? I would like to try them. If you made them, what did you use?
Thanks......DaveP
Actually it was Mr. DiStefano that inspired me to try the 4" banana 4-fletch, thank-you for that Rob. Dave, I made a new adjustment plate for my Lil Chopper that locates the quill closer to the curved cutting edge, it is quite easy to do. These fletchings are quiet, work well and as others have already pointed out, the nock is always in the correct position.
it's easy to modify a li'l chopper banana fletch for both a lower length and profile. you could use either the standard or hi-pro banana choppers and simply double stick tape on a new quill fence made from most anything, including thin cardboard (which might be one of the better materials).
there are more than a few benefits from using a four inch 4-fletch, including getting two fletches from a single full length feather (for chopping or burning), no need for nock indexing, the same or larger effective fletch surface area, lower profile feathers are stiffer and more durable, and *possible* greater shelf/plate clearance of lower height fletches.
as to the 4-fletch configuration, it doesn't much matter. i've tried them all and prefer the 75x105 as it offers nearly the same large fletch angle spread as a 120 degree 3-fletch. with lo-pro fletches, you won't notice a difference even if 90x90 is used.
though it works fine, too, i never could get used to the 2-fletch look of the 60x120 4-fletch :) however, that would yield the most effective fletch clearance in a lo-pro fletch format, with maximum effective guidance.
Thanks Creekwood & Rob. I'm going to give that a try.
DaveP
Between 90-90 and 75-105, is there an advantage of one type of 4 fletch over another?
I don't think there is much benefit of using one over the other. You can get better fletch clearance with 75-105. I like the look of 75-105 better so that is what I use.
Note : If your shafts are spined right for your bow the tail of the arrow is swung away from the riser as it passes so fletch clearance is not a problem.
I modified my Chopper by using contact cement to glue a length of flat sided leather shoe-lace to the base. You can shorten to your desired length by adding layers til it's what you like. It's also easily un-doable with a razor blade. It looks like this when done:
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z208/DannyBoats/DSC00419.jpg)
GOOD THREAD,GREAT INFO GUYS,WOULD LIKE TO SEE PICS ON THOSE 3",4 FLECTH,,,TO SEE ABOUT HOW FAR DOWN FROM THE NOCK U FLECTH...
BY THE WAY NICE ARROWS THERE CREEKWOOD,,,
I have always shot 3-4in helical feathers on my carbon arrows, but lately I have been experimenting with 4-3in high profile shield feathers and man those things sure do fly well. I have fletched them in both the 75/105 and 90 pattern and seem to prefer the 90 although they both shoot equally well and my shafts are perfectly tuned so fletch contact is a non-issue for me. The reasoning for trying this was to lessen the feather length and wrap length on the shaft and also to give me something that holds up and still shoots well when wet and those shorter, tall feathers do that job nicely.
My brother has always shot 4 fletch in the 90 degree setting. He uses 4 5in shields. He talked me into shooting 4 fletch and it is better. I also use the 90 degree setting but I use a low profile 5in parobolic. It does fly better. As far a the 75/105 setting goes, an arrow is in paradox and the fletch doesn't touch the riser as it clears. As such I don't belive that it aids clearance.
QUESTION...
With the 75/105 fletch does the outer-lower fletch generally clear the shelf?
My outer fletch does clear the rest on my 3 fletched arrows.
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx121/Zradix/4fletch.jpg)
It seems like #1 in the pic might hit. Whereas #2 would be OK.
Is there a general reason why #1 is prefered over #2?
Thanks :thumbsup:
I've been using the 60x120 4 fletch for several years and prefer it over the others. I think I've just grown accustomed to it. I use this configuration for all the youth arrows I build so the kids don't hvae to worry about which way to nock the arrow. It also provides ample stability for less than perfect form.
I tried the 5" 4 fletch with helical and it was almost as bad as a flu flu - did not like it. I have some 4" 4 fletch with helical that fly well. I have modified a high profile banana chopper to cut 5" low (I think I'll modify it some more and try the 4" 4 fletch straight banana - I really like the looks of it) - thanks for posting those photos
I did the modification with the stricker plate and got a very low profile cut, 5/16 at the tallest, I then put spacers on each end of the cutter blade to get more of and arch and got a cut with a 1/2 at the tallest.
They both look good but would the taller cut be needed for broadheads.
Am I overthinking this?????
QuoteOriginally posted by bucksakemmer:
Am I overthinking this?????
If you're still having fun then ...NOPE.
There are over 50 arrows on this rack. This pic was taken two years ago, and there have been several added to it.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/arrarak1.jpg)
All of them are either 3 fletch 5.5 inch high backed shields or 4 fletched 5 inch shields.,,,,save one Maxi Fletched arrow. These arrows are some of my special kill arrows I saved, to commemorate a special kill on a special outing.
I have gone pretty much exclusively to 5 inch 4 fletch for quick nocking for the last 4 years....something that comes in handy for me often.
My 5 inch 4 fletch fly no where near that of a flu flu....but fly perfect no matter my body contortion, mud, moisture, or gaps in the feather due to real hunting scenarios.
If the addition of a feather....or moving from 4 inch to 5 cost you an animal....you have other issues....other serious issues with your set up. I have NEVER lost an animal due to my fletching. By either having too much....or too little letting the Broadhead steer the arrow or plane.
Some might say its over kill....maybe so for back yard shooting....but my fletch serves me well in the real hunting world.....where the perfect shot often doesn't exist.
This thread really has me thinking...watch out..lol
I can definitely see the advantages of the 4 fletch.
I'm thinking you could have lower profile feathers with the 4 fletch that may very well fly quieter. Might not be a big deal...but who knows.
QUESTION...I shoot wood arrows. I tune each arrow separately. Do any of you find the spine of the arrow to be significantly different to the point of affecting the flight when you rotate the arrow 180deg? ( as in it doesn't matter which way you nock it )
I can understand a "no difference" result from testing carbon. With wood I can see where it might make a difference.
Thanks