Feathers?

[Cuz]

I want to fletch my own arrows for my new/used recurve.Any ideas on best lenagth n shape?4inch,5inch,parabolic,classic,shield,etc.... ?
Thanks guys!

[Jesse]

I would always recommend 5" arrows as they stabilize your arrow quicker especially with broadheads

[Andy]

You better watch it next you will be chaseing a gobbler around trying to get him to give up his wing feathers......Then a feather chopper.....I tried all them seems to me best looking is shield but after about 100 plus shots they get worn and make a little noise.......I think the parabolic in five inch worked best for me but I havn't done any arrows in about year as far as that goes I havn't even shot my longbow in past six months since I came out of retirement and went back to work as ranchhand on four different places......Andy

[Buff]

I'm from the school of ... you can't have to much feather. I use 5-1/2" shield cut.

[duck'n]

I really like the looks of the shield cut but I don't shoot far enough yet to see if they stabilize any better than the parabolic. I have some of both on my practice arrows. All my hunting arrows are shield cut. Since it is time to start over for my longbow, I plan on going with Buff's favorite...5 1/2 high back shields.

[Buff]

[Cropduster]

It depends on the diameter of your arrow. If I am using a large diameter arrow, then I like to use 4, four fletch shields. However if the arrow is smaller, then it is hard to get four on it, so I use 3, five inch parabolic. There is a little more stabalization with the 4, four inch but not much. I just think the look good, and you don't have to worry about which way to nock it on the string.

[Cuz]

It depends on the diameter of your arrow. If I am using a large diameter arrow, then I like to use 4, four fletch shields. However if the arrow is smaller, then it is hard to get four on it, so I use 3, five inch parabolic. There is a little more stabalization with the 4, four inch but not much. I just think the look good, and you don't have to worry about which way to nock it on the string.

Wait.So you are using "4" feathers for EACH arrow?Not 3?Hmmmmm

[Restless]

I use whats on sale I like 5" shields but if I find 4" for cheap I use 4 of them and I have used 6- 4" to make flu-flu's. I guess thats why my arrows have a rainbow of color. I just bought orange and yellow and paint for orange cresting for a dozen cedar arrows. maybe I wont lose as many this year as the 3d season start's.

[Birddog]

I use 4'' and up. I don't like to use anything less than 4" Like buff said the more the better. Better arrow flight....

[Chunky]

I use 3 five inch shield cut, because I like the look better. I have fleched some with 4 feathers and that is fine. All the styles will work if you are tuned right to begin with, it is mostly a matter of personal pref.

[Brute Killer]

I just fletched up 3 arrows with four 4" feathers. I clipped the top inch off of some 5" feathers, making the top end pointy. They look kool and fly like the 3 fletchers.

[Frontloader]

Feathers usually are set on the arrow with a some offset. Don't go over board and put a lot of twist to the feathers or they will make noise going down range. I fletched several arrows different ways to test them and found those with a lot of offset to be loud.

You might experiement to see what works and doesn't work for you.