Got some Gateway feathers threw the mail . They look like cheep junk .
Does any of you Trad Gangers use or like them ?
Did I just get a bad batch ?
I made up about 4 arrows with them. They seem ok but the barred feathers kind of look like crap in my opinion. That and for some reason I had the barred feathers lined up perfectly in the jig, and when I rotated and glued the hens on, the back was hanging off the shaft about 1/8". Could be operator error, but I don't have that issue with trueflights. :dunno:
I've used Gateways with no problems. Only used solid colors. There will be a number of feathers in the package that the quill gets very thin towards the back end, and the quills tend to be very thick, but I've never had problems with them coming off once they were glued on.
Bisch
I tried them quite some time back I have to say you are right JUNK The quill was way to thick on the batch I tried and made them very difficult to attach to the shafts.
Trueflight all the way for me have no issues with them!
I won't buy any more. The quills aren't ground nearly as nice as true flight IMO.
Quills way to thick
I like the Tre colors. But those are the only ones I'd buy.Quality control seems non existant at Gateway. True-Flite and AMG or Matt's turkey for me.
I can't say I've had any real issues with Gateway but they would be my choice only if Trueflight and Bearpaw were unavailable.
you did not get a bad batch,they are junk
Try Saggitarius! just got in 100, for $25. Quality looks great, The cut is a little different (higher). Very pleased with the feathers and the customer service!
X2 what Bisch said.I got some tre camo and the dye is inconsistant.A few barely had any camo and a few were completely black but most are ok.They glued up just fine and fly just like a turkey feather
I have used Tru-flight,AMG,Bearpaw and Gateway.Gateway's quills are thicker then most of the other ones but still have no problem with fletching them.I just don't mix them.
I don't have any issues with Gateway, either. Been using them for almost 20 years and have never had a feather I couldn't use. Sure the bases are thicker and maybe a little tougher to get a huge helical but it can be done with good fletching jigs, good glue and patience-same goes with other brands. Besides most are using too much helical anyway.
Unless they changed something their Faux Barred are the most realistic on the market and love the Camo colors, too. In fact, I find their colors to be brighter than others.
Main reason I like them is price.
All I use are gateways.
I've used them, not bad, but not the best either. My go to has always been tru flight, but recently used some Bearpaw, and found them to be a very good product for the price. Of course, it's hard to beat Matt's all natural feathers if the barred look is what you want.
QuoteOriginally posted by bowhuntingrn:
I've used them, not bad, but not the best either. My go to has always been tru flight, but recently used some Bearpaw, and found them to be a very good product for the price. Of course, it's hard to beat Matt's all natural feathers if the barred look is what you want.
You cannot beat Magnus' real turkey feathers for looks! Artificially barred look like trash after using some real dyed turkey feathers!
Bisch
I've not been impressed with gateway or amg feather bases. They've been too thick for my taste.
gateway fletching are substandard.
Never have liked Gateway, always used Truflight but this last time ordered some from Kustom King Archery. I thought they were Truflight but ended up being Bears Paw. They were even worse than any Gateway I ever got and it took forever to get them. Won't be using the dealer or product again.
That's odd I have purchased 4" bears paw feathers from Kustom King twice now and I really like the feathers and shipping came VERY fast both times.
I use Tru flight, Gateway, AMG with few issues. I have some unusable feathers from them all. I use a Jo-jan jig usually. When I use my Bltiz. I have to run a knife blade down the quill to make sure the fletch is seated. But that is a jig issue not the feather.
I fletched hundreds of arrows when I worked in an archery shop years ago and trueflight feathers where a little more money than gateway, but they were worth it. Gateways are OK, but trueflight feathers are better and more consistent. As said earlier, the gateway barred feathers are a little odd looking. Just my two cents.
Kinda sounds like I am going to stick with True Flight
I have, I agree with quills and mec, you have to do some refining on the quill. I have also had issues with the loss of barbs. but do like colors.