I had a custm chopper made. It is basically a 5 1/2" Parabolic with a slightly higher back and the back 1/2" cut at 90 degrees. Great flight, but a bit noisy. Any suggestions on easy scissor cuts I could make to quiet them down? I'll post pics as soon as I get back from the 3d course  :D

If the rear of the fletching comes to a point, cut the corner off and that should quiet them.

I have never had standard parabolics that were noisy. I suspect the 90 degree cut on the back is the problem, as Pat suggests rounding off that sharp corner will probably work but you will probably have to take a fair bit off to where the back of the fletching is rounded down to the shaft. Go a little at a time and see.

Feather noise is vibration.  The more the feather vibrates, the more noise it makes.  Excess height or points allows for more vibration.  Mussatto calls it the "hiss of death".

Thanks guys. Here is a pic of the shape I'm trying to describe:

I made a mark 1" from the end and 1/4" down and drew a line connecting the marks. Cut out with scissors. Will shoot tomorrow to see if they are quieter. Thanks.

I think you mean those arrows are loud.     :D      Good luck Mike.

Loud and proud Will    I just wish that purpleheart was MORE purple and the green was a BRIGHTER green  :D  There are times when the cones and pines around here match very well with those bow colors. AND, no one has tried to steal it or buy it from me either!

I tried some 5" banana feathers and found them to be very loud.  I switched back to parabolic or shield.  I've since gone to 4" feathers rather than 5" and have found that they control the arrows just fine.

Bill

Tall barbs without good support make noise.

I had some "trad/P&Y" feathers that were real hissers.

Went from this cut...  

to this cut...

 

I just cut the backs off about 1/2 height at a 90˚ angle.
Helped a LOT but having those unsupported barbs in the back still made some noise...just not near as much.
That's why naners are so quiet...the tallest barbs have a lot of support from the shorter ones.

I've found what I feel is a "sweet spot" with the t-hawk shape by lil-chopper.
not a naner but not a parabolic...  

Good luck to you.

Thanks Guys! I appreciate your replies and suggestions. The cuts I made last night are quieter but not as quiet as my shield cuts. Parabolics just don't "work" for me so I need something in between. May try those T-Hawks. Thanks John.

try going with a smaller feather!

Mike I have a very slightly used 5" shield cut die you may be able to talk me out of for the right price.

Try a 4" feather.  If they don't give you enough control, go with a 4-fletch.

Cut 1/2" off the arse end and try it before you go buying a whole mess of other stuff.

Thanks all! Sending you a pm TJ.  :D

I have a 32# Wing recurve that'll quiet them right down    :D