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!    

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...


         

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...


           

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.