2- Fletch Arrows

[tex-archer]

I have heard about two fletch before and I am considering trying it myself. I shoot 55-60lbs. With that weight would the two fletch still work?

[Looper]

I've got a couple I made with 5.5" low bananas. They certainly fly well, even with Simmons Tigersharks. I've got some helical in them, but not a huge amount. It was really windy today, and they had much less tail drag than 3x4 shields, 4x4 shields, 3x5 shields, and definitely 4x5.5 low bananas.

Tex-archer, I don't see why the bow poundage would matter. You just need to make sure the arrow spine is the correct one for your bow and the way you shoot.

[Jim Neaves]

Arrow weight is a personal preference. As for my reccomendation, 10 grains of arrow weight per pound of bow weight is a solid balance between maintaining good kinetic energy, flat trajectory within ethical hunting distances, and enough weight to absorb the bows energy to keep it quiet. Arrow spine is the key to good arrow flight ultimately though.

[snakewood3]

Good stuff and congrats on the kill. It's unfortuate the previous thread got deleted. You have posted some great info on how you do it and why. 2 fletch is a viable hunting setup using both modern and primitive methods. If you need I will be glad to post pics, probably not till in the morning though. How about 2 fletch with a turbulator ? Now that will be opening the can of worms ! snakewood@sbcglobal.net

[Jim Neaves]

Tex-archer, let me add(regardless of bow poundage)

[Thebear_78]

I fletched up a few arrows yesterday and tested them.  2 each were 4" 4 fletch 75x105,  4" 3 fletch, 5" 3 fletch, 5" 2 fletch.     the 4 fletch were burned banana, 4" 3 fletch was chopped shield, and 5"were burned shield.  all right wing with lots of helical.  

all grouped together and all flew well.  the biggest difference was  probably sound.  the 2 fletch was noticably quieter than the others, followed by the 4" 3 fletch.    these allwere well tuned shafts that bare shaft very well.

to further test I shot them out of another bow that shot those bare shafts way left.  no surprise the 4 fletch and 5" 3 fletch flew much better and 2 fletch and 4" three fletch had noticably  more kick and poorer  flight.  

I guess it was no surprise,  more feather = more forgiving of spine variance and inconsistancy of form.  That being said when properly tuned the two fletch is very quiet and as
effective as 3 fletch.  The 4" banana was most stable across the board but had a bit of hiss to it.

[Rob DiStefano]

a cautionary comment ...

a "modern" 2-fletch DOES work well, IF all the right parameters are involved - the shooter's form/release is good and consistent, good bare shaft flight under hunting conditions, and the 2-fletch arrows have been well field tested under hunting venue conditions.  

the reason(s) for using a 2-fletch?  i don't see any that are major functional, and i don't buy into the added quietness.  i did my own 2, 3, 4, 6 fletch testing and feather noise has much to do with the feather fletch itself, the degree of offset/helical, the shape and height, AND your release.  i mostly use a 4" banana low profile 4-fletch and it offers as little a 20 yard downrange noise as 2 and 3 fletched arrows of varying shapes and configs.  

the reasons for more than 2 fletches can be summed up in one word - "insurance".  faster arrow spin, quicker paradox recovery, added arrow stability.    

there are bowhunters who should not even attempt a 2-fletch 'til they get all their ducks in a row, first. and even so, yer adding another measure of concern when out hunting.  

this is NOT to knock those who know how to use a 2-fletch - just as with those who prefer to go trad primitive, it's all viable trad bowhunting if in the right, capable hands.  

and that's that, from my perspective.

[snakewood3]

Pic's for Jim....

[Friend]

Rob...very good spin and synopsis

After many years of trying to run, I always find my way back to perfecting a walk - possibly I should start back at crawling.

Kin to teaching kids or just someone a viable method ,yet that they see a pro executing totally in contradiction. Yes! privileges can be taken if you truely own the skills and control.

[Jim Neaves]

Thanks for posting the pics Snakewood3. The arrows that you see are Easton Axis 400's cut at 28" and weigh right at 500gr. There is about 220gr. on the nose of that arrow.

[Shinken]

Great photos - thank you for posting those Jim & Snakewood!

I am gonna try some of that 2-fletch action with some Centaur Battle Axe broadheads!

Shoot straight, Shinken

 

[Mac11700]

That's cool looking...I'm going to try this..

Mac

[toddster]

well, i experimented with it took few deer and hogs, but still like 3 fletch

[alex m]

Thanks for the new slant on things.  I'm going to fire up the old Blitzenberger and give it a try.  Alex

[Traxx]

Give'r a try fellas,you might be surprised.I made the best shot of my life with a 2 fletched arrow.
Actually,its not a new slant,its just not as popular,or known by many people.I shot some of Gordy Mickens arrows,about 10 er so yrs ago.How many of you,that have well tuned arrows,have had a fletch come off and your arrow still grouped with your 3 fletched arrows?I know i have.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Traxx:
...How many of you,that have well tuned arrows,have had a fletch come off and your arrow still grouped with your 3 fletched arrows?I know i have.

please help me understand what yer saying ...

you have a bare shaft that flies well, you stick on some feathers (2 or 3) and arrow still flies well, you pull off one feather and that arrow still flies/groups well?

[RC]

My realease is less than perfect but on a good one two fletch works good but on a normal for me realease with big broadheads ..not so good. I shoot 3 5.5 feathers.RC

[Traxx]

Rob,
Im asking,that if you have well tuned arrows and you have initially,3 fletched them.While shooting,for whatever reason,you loose a fletch.Does your arrow still fly well?Mine did.As a matter of fact,it happened to me at NALS severall years ago,and i shot severall targets with the arrow on purpose.Jim and i had a smile about it afterwards,when i told him.Am i suggesting,that everybody strip a feather off of their existing 3 feather fletch?Absolutely not!Am i suggesting,that everybody needs to use a 2 fletched arrow?No im not.Am i suggesting that 2 fletch works well,when applied properly?Yes,I am.

[PaddyMac]

I shoot four 4" 90° fletch and this morning just ripped off two of the feathers, adjusted the nock and let 'er fly at 30 yards. Looks strange, but they flew great. Quiet. They don't have a lot of helical, but they spun OK.

On the other hand, I can shoot bare shafts and they fly fine too as long as I don't pluck or wobble.

My wife walked by in her pink bathrobe with her coffee and just said, "Don't like it."

So there.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Traxx:
Rob,
Im asking,that if you have well tuned arrows and you have initially,3 fletched them.While shooting,for whatever reason,you loose a fletch.Does your arrow still fly well?Mine did.As a matter of fact,it happened to me at NALS severall years ago,and i shot severall targets with the arrow on purpose.Jim and i had a smile about it afterwards,when i told him.Am i suggesting,that everybody strip a feather off of their existing 3 feather fletch?Absolutely not!Am i suggesting,that everybody needs to use a 2 fletched arrow?No im not.Am i suggesting that 2 fletch works well,when applied properly?Yes,I am.

when a fletch is removed so is the aerodynamic spin balance, and the resulting flight is just like a screwball - erratic not good at all, but ya might get lucky and the arrow will end up where it should.