Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Converml on May 12, 2011, 12:21:00 PM
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I've read the posts on straight, left, right obviously putting all lefts or right wings on an arrow ect. My question is I have a supply of turkeys and so both left and right wings.
Do you find it better to stick with one Helical all the time or as long as they are the same on each arrow does it matter if your arrows are mixed some left some right?
Therefore if permissible to have a mix in your quiver is it better to fletch with a straight clamp with a slight canter to the left or right rather than a Helical clamp.
Any observations are appreciated. Thanks Merle :dunno:
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I used to have only a left helical clamp. So All my arrows would fletched that way.
Then I eventually got a right helical clamp and now all my arrows are fletched that way.
For the a time I had left and right wing feathers to use..so some of my arrows where right-wing and some where left-wing.
The only noticeable difference was that the left wing arrows would loosen their points and the right wing wouldn't.
They flew the same...and I have LW clamp for sale! :)
(Just thought of this note. If your jig will allow you to offset get a straight clamp and use up all your feathers. Just keep track of which arrows and feathers are RW and which are LW. I'm finding that I get plenty of rotation even with a straight clamp and a few degrees offset.)
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I was told at a young age if I was going to go with three right or left wing feathers, all three feathers should be the same. Either all right or all left, but no mixing of left and right on an arrow.
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They all have to be the same per arrow but left and right feathers fly the same. Alot of people shoot with offset feathers and say they shoot fine. After trying it myself I disagree. Helical fletching is superior to the offset straight.
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This might not be a smart question but does it matter if you are shooting left or right handed bow?
I was just wondering if matters from the way the arrow comes off the shelf?
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A historical note: When I started fletching, the left wing feathers were quite a bit cheaper. The right handed turkey pickers would grab and hold more turkeys in their right hand and would destroy twice as many right wing feathers. Hence cheaper and more abundent left wingers in the past. I purchased left wing jigs back then but notice no difference in arrow flight as long as right wing feathers are installed with right wing jigs and the opposite for lefties.
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I don't think left wing or right wing matter as long as you don't mix them on the same arrow. I can't imagine it would matter if they were mixed in a quiver.
I would always go with a helical clamp though. I try to get as much helical twist to my feathers as possible. Easier to get a good glue joint too.
As far as which wing for right or left handed shooters, again I don't think it matters. The arrow doesn't start to spin until it is well off the string and past the bow and bow hand.
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7 Lakes - I remember the same thing. I knew it was something with farming practices. Thanks for the story.
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rluttrel, typically the way they spin k
Off the shelf a right hand shooter would shoot left hel and a left hand shooter would shoot right heli. And was better when shooting off your hand but now with a shelf or rest doesn't really matter.
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I don't have any problems with hand clearance and I chose right wing even though I am a right handed shooter. I thought it silly to shoot a spin that loosens your tips after each shot. So instead I chose right wing to tighten them up. That was my main reason. I tried the straight clamp because that was what my jig came with (used). It was tough to get much offset but you could. I bought a right wing clamp and it made my world easier. The spin is great and glueing them up is easier.
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I find that right wing feathers cut the top of my hand so I go with the lefts.
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they will fly the same! no problem if you mix them. Japanese art of Kyudo , you shoot two arrows in a sequence First is Left wing fletched and the second right wing, both go to the same place. I have had mixed in my quiver several times over the years.
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I have a Bitzenburger on the way! :) It's left. I've been shooting straight fours in my compound since the 80s and I've read just about every post on the topic here at Trad Gang and that's why I'm going left.
I have to get my head out of that compound. The reason I shot straight is for fletching clearance through a overdraw center-shot mechanical rest. (And yeah, the field point unscrewing thing.)
Basically, I can't see a reason any more to go with straights. I've been bitten a couple of times in the hand with the straights, so the lefts should cure that. And I have to go one way or the other, so left it is.
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I hold the bow with My left hand and draw with My right. I like Left wing to spine the arrow away from the bow... This is Me and everyone is different, Likes different things. So as long as You don't mix left and right on a arrow it doesn't matter, It just comes down to what You like to look at.
Plus I can see the left wing arrows fly, But I don't see the right wing that good.. Again this is just Me and You may be different...
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Right wing for me...rotation helps keep points tight, and is easier to see if the entire length of the quill is down on the shaft with my fletcher.
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I use bowstring wax on all screwin point threads. Its sticky enough to keep the point tight, but the steel doesn't oxide the metal of the insert so you will always be able to take things apart when switching to broadheads.
I use sheild cut feathers and part of my shooting form entails the arrow fletching's tickleing the nosehairs in my right nostril at full draw,with the tip of my right finger in the corner of my mouth. And the right helical feather in a sheildcut does this, that's why I use them.
The arrow length I choose is determined by having the back up the broadhead just touch the knuckle of the hand holding the bow at fulldraw while using correct back tension drawing the bow.