3 Fletch vs 4 Fletch

[HATCHCHASER]

4 fletch!  I sure wish I could get 3 4" feathers out of one full length.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by HATCHCHASER:
4 fletch!  I sure wish I could get 3 4" feathers out of one full length.

You must be dreaming!  :D

[jcprintz]

I switched to 60x120 4" two years ago and see no reason to ever go back to three fletch. I especially like the fact that I don't have to look when nocking an arrow for a follow up shot. Out to forty yards I see no difference in trajectory between 3 and 4 fletch and forty yards is twice the distance I will shoot at game anyway.

[John Havard]

I've played with helical 4-fletch and straight offset 4-fletch and am hard pressed to tell much difference between the two.  Does anyone else have an opinion about helical 4's versus straight offset 4's?

[Gator1]

I was wondering what the pros and cons of

4 x 90 vs. 60 x 120 Are??

I recently fletched up a few 4 fletch 4x90s, and they seem to recover more quickly, with less shelf contact.

As far as lowering nock point, I'll have to experiment with that...

[JC]

Charlie convinced me of the benefits of 4 fletch about 2 years ago. Despite the obvious 2 4" from one full length benefit, I also think that with 4 fletch, you can go with shorter/smaller feathers and still get the same stabilization. I'm using very low profile 4" nanners: they seem to stabilize as good as big feathers in 3 fletch hard helical, lose less speed, the shorter feather is a bit stiffer so hold their shape better when wet. To me, more than enough reasons to switch exclusively to 4 fletch. When I tune my arrows to where I'm happy with them, I can see no differences in any of the various 4 fletch configurations nor the orientation of any of the feathers to the shelf...they all shoot the same, so I just shoot 4x90.

And like Gator1, I think 4 fletch stabilize a little more quickly.

John, I haven't done offset but I have fletched 4x90 throughout the adjustment range of my Bitz jig...from straight to as hard helical as will fit on the shaft, both left and right wing. I can only tell just a slight bit of difference, with the harder helical settings being slightly more stabilizing. It may all be in my head, but any 4 fletch config seems to stabilize as good as hard helical 3 fletch.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by John Havard:
I've played with helical 4-fletch and straight offset 4-fletch and am hard pressed to tell much difference between the two.  Does anyone else have an opinion about helical 4's versus straight offset 4's?

I've tried both helical and offset and can't perceive any difference, but my feathers are 4" custom burned high back shields so I might see some better stabilizing if I lowered the feather heights and went with a heavy helical.

[mudfish]

JC - you said it all.  I'm a recent convert to using 4" parabolic 4 X 90, the shorter feather does not protrude into the airstream as much as a high back shield cut, so less drag, so the arrow flies flatter.  plus the smaller feather gets much less bedraggled in damp weather.  plus they seem to just slide right off the shelf.  I have only fletched them with as much helical as I could get.  and I haven't had the guts to try them with broadheads yet.

[Whitetail Chaser]

I started shooting 4-4" feathers at 75x105 12 years ago.  That is still my combo of choice.  I can get 2 feathers from one full length feather.  They help my arrows fly straight and will stabilize a big broadhead like a Zwickey Delta.

Brett

[JC]

Originally posted by mudfish:
and I haven't had the guts to try them with broadheads yet.

Don't be askeered....they work with broadheads too!

[highnoonhunter]

Hope it's OK to jump in here..............

I just fletched some arrows with 4X90 and I'm getting a little tail high kick from them. My 3 fletch flies great.

I'm thinking I need to go a little higher with my nock point????

Am I correct?

hnh

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Originally posted by 2fletch:
Anyone else tried using two fletch? I have tried primitive style two fletch and two fletch with 5 inch fletching. Although it was on a limited scale, it appeared the arrows flew very well.

I believe that it is important to have plenty of helical, and that the arrow be tuned closely to the bow. Having done that, you should get good arrow flight.

2fletch

last year I had some 2 fletched arrows. They flow great, the only down side was you couldn't see the arrow in flight to well...

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by highnoonhunter:
Hope it's OK to jump in here..............

I just fletched some arrows with 4X90 and I'm getting a little tail high kick from them. My 3 fletch flies great.

I'm thinking I need to go a little higher with my nock point????

Am I correct?

hnh

Absolutely.

[flatbowMB]

Originally posted by JC:
 I'm using very low profile 4" nanners:

Those low profile symmetrical nanners can certainly look real sharp as well (images lifted from the German Kinetics site)

   

[John C Keith]

Found this thread just in time.  Was making my list for the Kzoo show and you all helped me decide to go back to four fletch.   The only reason I was using three was it was cheaper.  I pray that my financial woes are behind me, but being frugal minded I think I will be the proud new owner of a chopper soon.

Anyway thanks for the info.  Really found it helpful

[Matty]

I dont think anyone will actually read this but here goes:  
Remember A properly tuned bow / arrow combination, truly needs no feathers, Having done this on all my bows, with the help of some of you,  I shoot 4" 4fletch, 5"3 fletch and the occasional 5"2 fletch (because they fall off) with the exact same accuracy. It really comes down to personal preference, and what your fletcher allows you to do.

[Ssamac]

Pardon a dumb newbie question, but what is 60x120 and 90x90. I assume it's the position of the feathers one to another, but what are you measuring?
Thanks in advance, sam

[carlr2s]

Degrees around the circle of the arrow shaft.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Ssamac:
Pardon a dumb newbie question, but what is 60x120 and 90x90. I assume it's the position of the feathers one to another, but what are you measuring?
Thanks in advance, sam

It's all about the angle of feather placement around the shaft ...

[Gordy]

TTT

Charlie which angle do you prefer ?  I've done them all. Most recently the 60x120...not sure I like it too much. Seems my nock tuning is more picky for proper clearance.

The logic would seem that 4 X 90 would provide the best side clearance ?