I have always made and shot 3 5" helical fletched arrows. I don't know why...guess it's just because that is what I saw others shooting. I got to know a guy in our archery club. He is a very experienced archer. We were trying out the bows we had just built and he was shooting 4 4" fletched arrows. I tried them and was surprised at how much more stable they were in the air. When you have a less than great release the arrow still had great flight.  So with the Bitz jigs I just got I tried a half dozen arrows with the 4 fletch. What a difference in consistancy. You probably loose a few fps. But to gain this degree of consistancy is well worth it. It's not that I am a poor shot. I am a pretty good shot. But it still helped me. 4 fletching all the way!  

I have stayed with 5" feathers 60-120 4 fletch since I first tried it a few years ago. I will go to 4" feathers once my supply of 5" is gone. Could be a few years though.

I do the same and I am very happy....

I noticed that.  I've been 4 fletching lately.  I like it.

Sure wish I found this out sooner. I have a lot of arrows that I've made up that are 3 fletch.

You could always sell the 3 fletch.  I'm pretty new to it all and I've tried both.  Can't say that I've noticed that much difference but so far I've been buying arrows or having friends make me up a few.  I guess I'm going to have to start building my own and really experimenting.  Interesting topic.

I've been told that 4 fletch are noisier than 3 - did you notice any difference?

No Dragon rider, I didn't notice any difference in the way they sound going through the air.

Try 4 fletch low profile parabolic or banana.  They are just as fast, no noise, and the rain does not effect the flight...for me!  If you have a feather chopper, you can just cut your present 5" feathers.  JC (Joe Coots) showed me this 3-4 years ago and that's all I shoot now...Doc

I just bought a bunch of 4" parabolics. That's a good idea with the chopper. I have a 4" chopper. Thanks Doc.

I did the same thing and I think 4 4" are quiter
jmho

I made the switch also, I've been shooting 4 5inch shield cut.

Whitch is best for 4 4" feathers?
60-120 degree or,
90-90  degree?

Ken,

That is like the single or double bevel theories.  Use which ever you like.  Like on this post, some use different profiles, too.  I think as long as they clear your bow, they will fly well.

I use 60 x 120 but some guys like the 90 x 90 and then you have the 75 x 105.  Get them on correctly and they will fly.  I just like the look of the 60 x 120 4" and out of my bow they work well.  Rob DiStefano inspired me to modify the fence on my 5 1/2" high back banana chopper to make 1/2" high 4" bananas.  I like em!  Like Snag said, they are quiet.  Many archived posts about them on here, also.



Enjoy!

I love 4-fletch  

I switched to 4x90 a while back and like it very much. Either with the 4x.5" bannana Ray posted with regular foc. Or the Adcock-2.5x.5", turbulator and efoc.

The only 4 fletch I currently have is a flu flu. I may have to try out some of my 4" feathers when I fletch some more arrows.

I've shot both over the years, but am happy with 3 fletch.  I don't find it difficult to get very good flight with them.  Glad you like the 4 fletch and that they are doing well for you.  Always good to have confidence.

I tried 4 fletch years ago, and saw no real difference.  If my arrows are tuned to the bow I am shooting either one works the same.  I tune my bare shafts to impact with my fletched out to about 30 yards.  Once the feathers are on they fly great.  If you have a marginal tune, 4 fletch can stabilize the arrow a little faster than 3.  Whatever works best for you.

I have tried 4 fletch a couple of times with 4" feathers, and they always fly well. But, they always hit lower than three 5" feathers, with all other variables being equal. I figure they must move more air.