Cock Feather UP!!!

snag · May 30, 2009, 04:46:00 PM

I was playing around with trying to get the best fletching clearance that I could the other day. I had to replace the shelf carper (velcro). When I did it I left a gap in between the velcro and the shelf wall..about 1/4". Then I turned the nock on some carbons so the cock feather was at 12:00 and the hen feathers were at 8 and 4. The 8:00 feather misses the outer edge of the shelf(I'm right-handed) and the 4:00 feather runs down through the slot I left. It also left a little better cup for the arrow to rest in. The results were great. I just wonder if bowyers ought to cut a little groove along the shelf and shelf wall to provide a space for the fletching to travel????

joe skipp · May 30, 2009, 05:21:00 PM

When I use RW feathers, I turn the cock feather in and this results in the one hen feather in the 12 o'clock position. When I use LW, I put a severe helical on and this results in my hen feather at "noon". Great arrow flight every time.

JRY309 · May 30, 2009, 05:36:00 PM

I'm RH and when I shoot RW I turn cock feather in or I use a TM nock reciever which fletches cock feather up or down,I used this on my wood arrows.But with tunable nocks like carbons or easton uni-system I just rotate for best clearence.

Orion · May 30, 2009, 06:09:00 PM

A lot of folks set up their shelf and strike plate like that. Works with cock feather out as well. I believe Tim Mullins (Acadian Woods)carves a little hump on the shelf with a channel between it and the side plate.

snag · May 30, 2009, 06:12:00 PM

I am making a recurve and am thinking of doing as Tim Mullins does...makes sense!

joe skipp · May 30, 2009, 09:12:00 PM

Jack Kempf also leaves a "trough" on the radius shelf for feather clearance.

Lewis Brookshire III · May 30, 2009, 10:12:00 PM

I shoot cock feather up as well, I dont know why I tried it to begin with but I liked it, I thought it got the least amount of contact and stuck with it.

Fletcher · May 30, 2009, 10:35:00 PM

Black Widow has been recommending a 12 o'clock cock feather for quite some time. I will fletch that way if requested.

redfish · May 31, 2009, 10:17:00 AM

I think I'll try one today.

Colt · May 31, 2009, 10:34:00 AM

I guess I don't understand why more folks don't shoot that way. I've been doing that way for years and am very happy with it.

Outwest · May 31, 2009, 10:48:00 AM

I've tried cock feather up as per Black Widow rccomendation. It is ok but if you nock one up and look at the way it lines up with your shelf there is not much difference than cock feather out.
Just my observation.

John

snag · May 31, 2009, 11:17:00 AM

Fletcher, the video from BW that I saw was made quite awhile ago.

Lewis, you've been holding out! You need to let me in on these things! hahaha

James Wrenn · May 31, 2009, 12:44:00 PM

Cutting grooves and such is a total waste of time unless you are shooting a centershot bow with a release.Putting the arrow down in a groove is also a mistake. jmo

Gary Logsdon · May 31, 2009, 01:07:00 PM

Do whatever works for you and let-er-rip!

straitera · May 31, 2009, 01:40:00 PM

Contact effects flight; therefore, minimizing contact minimizes effect. Instinctive ability WILL rectify to what degree? That is, does any one fletch configuration produce higher accuracy? Confusing contentions at least.

I watched slo-mo vids at SB but think he posted here also. Your interesting find is no less valid & I'd like to see it video doc'd.

Kevin Lawler · May 31, 2009, 01:48:00 PM

http://www.meta-synthesis.com/archery/archery.html

Go here and see that a properly spined arrow will NOT put a feather through the "trough". Shooting that way will however prevent contact with the shelf's outer edge which causes most flight problems.

James Wrenn · May 31, 2009, 01:55:00 PM

Ditto Kevin.

Also laying an arrow down in a groove when shooting with fingers just causes more contact as the arrow bends.You then not only have the arrow moving side to side but you have thrown an upward motion to the back of the arrow as well.All it does it make tuning that much harder. jmo

zwickeyman · May 31, 2009, 02:58:00 PM

When I fletch up a shaft I don't glue the nock on until I have it fletch up. Then I rotate in a 12 4 8 configuration with the Cock feather out. Works great and keeps your colored cock feather out.

Kevin Lawler · May 31, 2009, 09:45:00 PM

Ditto Zman.

Dave Worden · June 01, 2009, 10:50:00 AM

I fletch with the cock feather at about 11:00. It has nothing to do with clearance. I put a new nock on an arrow once and didn't get it turned right. Result: cock feather at 11:00. When shooting that arrow I noticed that the feather hit the corner of my mouth at full draw. Presto! Another reference point to insure I'm at full draw when I shoot. Works for me.