By Bill Winke
Making your own arrows leads directly to better shooting. Doing it yourself is the only way to control all the variables that are involved in tuning and accuracy, and one of the primary variables to consider is fletching.
Feather fletching has it advantages. Feathers traditionally have been regarded as the most “forgiving” in terms of maintaining accuracy. Being very flexible, feathers will move easily out of the way if they contact the arrow rest. Because it is not deflected as easily, an arrow equipped with feathers has the potential to be easier to tune. On the other hand, if you dont have contact in the first place, feather fletching is no more forgiving than plastic vanes.
Bowhunters who shoot traditional bows (recurves and longbows) “off the shelf” know that feathers are the only fletching choice that makes sense. Because contact between the fletching and shelf (or sight window) is quite probable even with a well-tuned stick bow feathers offer the best chance for good arrow flight.
Feathers are slightly lighter than plastic vanes of the same length, so the initial velocity of the arrow is higher when equipped with feathers. However, feathers cause slightly more drag because they are rougher and wider, and therefore less aerodynamic. Some archers believe that feathers offer much better downrange arrow stability than do vanes, for this reason. However, from the data Ive seen, feathers offer only a very small advantage in stability. 신용카드현금화
If identical shafts one fletched with plastic and one fletched with feathers are shot at the same instant, the arrow fletched with vanes will overtake the feather-fletched arrow after approximately 40 yards. This is not a huge difference in overall arrow speed and drag at most bowhunting ranges. Feathers get there first on shots less than 40 yards, but lose their speed more quickly than vanes.
THE CASE FOR PLASTIC
Plastic vanes are more durable and easier to maintain than feathers. Vanes are also waterproof, which can be a significant factor when hunting in wet weather. When feathers get soggy they lay down on the shaft, which greatly reduces their profile and stabilizing ability. This also adds weight to the shaft. There are some good waterproofing powders that will keep your feathers dry under the worst conditions. Feather-Pruf is one of these powders and is distributed by several companies, including Kustom King Arrows, (219) 769-6640. Gateway Feathers, (608) 526-4490, and Bohning, (616) 229-4247, also offer good feather-waterproofing powder. 신용카드현금화
Evaluate your options: When choosing fletching, try vanes first because they offer the greatest durability and weather resistance. If you simply cant eliminate rest contact and achieve good arrow flight, then go to feathers.