I have seen fletching installed from 1/2" to about 3" from the nock. Does farther forward help in any way? I was taught to install them about 1" forward of the nock... I just started noticing alot of arrow fletched about 2-3 inches forward of the nock........

i put them so they will just not touch my face. of course this is determened by what style of feather.  but i would tend to think the farther back the more stabilizing efect.

I dont know if it matters concerning arrow flight, I fletch mine so that the feather touches my nose at full draw so that I have a double anchor point.

About 1/2" for me. That's just how it ends up using my jo jan.

Farther back the more stabilizing effect.

Yep, the farther back the better the stabilizing effect....just make sure they are NOT so far back that you can't nock an arrow without any interference from your fingers....that can be real noisy on those calm days.

Just make sure you allow plenty of room for your fingers.

1/2" for me works great.

.5" with my jo jan.. there is a small lip on the clamp that I put the end of the feather on...

I'm in the same bucket as most of you. 1/2" now that I went and measured. Thought there was something new to learn. Thank you for your inputs.

The problem I find with fletching too close (1/2") to the nock is once you shoot the nock off (i.e. robin hooding), you can't use any tool other than a knife to remove the rest of the nock off.  For some, that is fine but I like to trim all of the nock off and "touch up" the wood taper prior to glueing on another nock.  I use the 3Rivers tool and you have to be an inch or more away to not interfere with the back of the fletching.  Brian

I just measured; and my fletch is 1/2 inch from the nocks too.
BrianP - I know what your talking about! I have tried heating the nock with a cigarette lighter; and then pulling the softened nock off- and then lightly sanding the nock taper with good results.
 

If I can, I like the front of the feathers to reach the back of the riser for an instant brace height check.

OK I'l be different mine measure from .75 to an inch from the nock.  I spooked a deer last year when my tab rubbed the feathers.