Why vanes?

[Rusty Snuffers]

Just because I'm curious, why would you shoot vanes over feathers?  Is there a practical reason or is it just preference?  Personally, I like the look of feathers and I like that the feathers collapse on leaving the bow so there's no need for a rest.  Why do YOU shoot vanes (if you do)

Thanks for your input,
Rusty

[Converml]

Most shooting off the shelf would go with feathers. People with wheels are the ones that use vanes heavily.

[K. Mogensen]

Some people prefer to shoot vanes in the rain rather than deal with wet feathers.

[PaddyMac]

If you have a center cut riser on your recurve, like a Martin Jaguar or a PSE Coyote, you could shoot a mechanical rest (as long as it lets the arrow move laterally for finger shooting. But vanes are too stiff for shooting off a shelf rest. Try it some time. Looks and sounds like something you see and hear right before someone says, "Uh oh."

[Stone Knife]

If you shoot off an elevated rest vanes are nice, I shoot them and like them. I shoot feathers off the shelf but on my titan I use a flipper rest and vanes. I get real good arrow flight and no worries in the rain.

[2 Barrels]

I'm gonna try it.I've got a sky I.L.F. riser.It's set up with a flipper and a plunger.

[Carpmaster]

Vanes if and only if you have clearance.....  I use em on my wheelie bow with a drop away rest....

[Steve O]

Rusty,

You need to shoot off a rest to shoot vanes.  You can shoot feathers off the same rest, but will not have much luck with vanes off the shelf.

I shoot both and often have both in my quiver at once. If you are going to be in the backcountry and not in a nice house or cabin to dry out your feathers, the vanes are quite comforting to me.

[Rob DiStefano]

to some degree, vanes are lots stiffer, less flexible and less compromising than feathers.  really big vanes - 4" to 5" - are more difficult to setup and shoot, imho.  you can shoot vanes off a shelf, i've done it with good success.  but you better be on yer game and not flub a release.  

so why bother with feathers and just shoot vanes exclusively?  after all, plastic fletches are totally waterproof.

feathers are far more forgiving than vanes, and they offer far better control over an arrow that's poorly released because they can be lots larger without affecting the release.  you can fletch in a really aggressive feather helical and the fletch will still be very flexible - not at all so with plastic or rubber vanes.  

but feathers get wet, soggy and totally lose their shape!  there are conditioners that will help waterproof processed feathers.  when the weather's wet, i'll use arrows fletched with natural turkey or goose feathers - they're naturally bird oil waterproofed.

and lastly - i just GOT to say it! - feather fletchings ARE traditional archery.        

processed turkey and canada goose - both held under running water for 5 minutes ... (the goose feathers are free, too    )
 

ymmv.

[traditional beagle]

They still make vanes? Haven't heard them mentioned in a long, long time. AAhhhh!!! now it's coming back to me.   ) They just ain't as purrty.

[Rusty Snuffers]

Thanks for all the input folks.  As always, good stuff from the Gang.

Rusty

[straitera]

Vanes...nada, no can do.

[JohnnyWayne]

Those goose feathers look to hold up pretty well  

[reddogge]

In the old days I always carried a "rain arrow", one with vanes to shoot when it was raining. I don't do it anymore.

[SERGIO VENNERI]

I use vanes out of my silvertip recurves for 4 reasons: Quiet,Durable,Waterproof and fly great.

[kstout]

Vanes for rain, and they are much quiter than feathers.

[highplains55]

i'm a dry fly fisherman,i put flotant on my flies also works on feathers,plus carry a descicant when either get saturated,no problem! although used plastic baggie in very wet conditions.