I was sitting here looking at a back quiver some friends gave me for retirement. It's hanging on the wall with a number of vintage wood arrows in it.

Now all of these arrows have large 5 inch feathers in them.

For years now I tend to shoot mainly 3 inch feathers and on a well tuned arrow they are more than adequate to get the job done and provide much less wind resistance.

On another wall I have hanging a bow, quiver, and arrows from Africa, brought back in the 1950's. The fletch is trimmed to only about 3/8" high, and 3 inches long.

Anyone have an informed perspective on when and why fletch seemed to standardize at the large 5 inch style?

I guess my own assumption is that it is easier to use large fletch than to tune properly.

Before folks understood spine, or even had the ability to make arrows that were spined, they needed them to fly well enough to hit the target. If you read the old books, mags, etc., you will note most archers back in the day bought dowels or made them to use, irrespective of any spine. You needed a good steering system for that. Modern archers are spoiled with all the technology that allows us to buy already pre-spined shafts to the enth degree.

Go buy yourself some 3/8" hardwood dowels, taper them and put on some 3" feathers...along with a lashed on metal broadhead cut from a saw blade, and you will see there was a good reason for big fletching.

Over the years, because we really don't have to work at it, spine has become a thing that manufacturers already have done, all we need is to tune the bow and arrow. Pretty easy to use whatever you want for a guidance system. All that said, the big fletch still works just fine, and is easier to see in flight...and allows for a very effective finished arrow. It's choice only, one not being any better to the user than the other.

I pretty much assume that was the case George, and from what I've seen on historical arrows, as in European war shafts, large feathers were used there too.

Just seems interesting that many native peoples arrows had very small fletch, and their arrows sure don't look like they were spine on any modern type device.

I think the natives had to use what they could get their hands on. They couldn't always have turkey feathers. They could also spend a lot of time shooting their bow. They had very good knowledge of their gear and how it shot. A lot more going on there than just "you don't really need big feathers".

Ishi's fletchings were long, but were a very low profile.

Don't think the indigenous progressed to be able to die cut the feathers like the white man changed and target fellers need for speed. LOL

They weren't shooting very far that's why they wanted guns so they could.

I'm not sure , all I know is in recent years ,I've seen feathers on arrows that appear one small trim away from being flu-flus . I don't have an issue with it, shoot what ya want . Just an observation.

I understand spline and still like and use three 5 inch fletching.

Because Fred Bear said so. Case closed :)

Fred Bear on Arrows

Your next heading here is “arrows and broadheads.” I draw 28 inches, and my arrows are 29 inches with either the blunt field point or the broadhead attached to it, so in the case of the broadhead, I have an inch to the back of the head at my full draw length.

I am not concerned about whether my feathers are left- or right-handed, but I do like a helical fletch and I like a very large feather. I’ve never shot other than three-fletch arrows. I’m sure four-fletch has advantages. I think that they can be cut lower and stand up under wet weather probably better than three-fletch, although I’ve never used them. My fletching is 5 inches long and begins 1 1/4 inches from the very end of the nock. They are spirally fletched so that the shaft revolves in flight. Never use straight fletching on hunting arrows.

I have no particular color preference on fletching, except that I’m often making a film in which it is very important in having the camera follow the flight of the arrow. For this reason I have used rather bright-colored feathers—white and yellows, maybe with a black cock feather for a contrast, and, for some reason, my arrows are never camouflaged. The last three years I’ve been using Converta-Point Magnum® arrows, of course, and they are aluminum. This is a handicap in the woods, there’s no question about it, but it’s one of the things you have to put up with when you are in the filming business. (Author’s note: These were the “new” arrows we had introduced in our 1968 Bear Archery catalog. A special insert was designed for use with broadheads, and there were blunt, field and target points as a part of this new system, so that the archer could use the same arrow shaft and simply interchange the points for practice, hunting or field use. The shafts were especially made for us by Easton. Fred came up with this system and filed for the patent on Nov. 2, 1966, and the patent #3,401,938 was granted on Sept. 17, 1968.)

I do not use any preparation on the feathers to keep them dry. I use a plastic bag pulled over the arrows when they are in the bow quiver and held in place with a rubber band. This, of course, sometimes is a handicap, also, because if you are surprised by game it’s pretty difficult to pull this bag off without making a little rattling sound, but I’ve never found a waterproof fletching material that stood up under very much rain. (Author’s note: This was written before we introduced our Weathers®, all-weather plastic fletching material, but Fred continued to use real feathers even after we had done so.) Naturally, I don’t fletch my own arrows, and I use the Razorhead® (the Bear Razorhead, if you’ll permit me), and I always use the insert even in shooting an elephant … and there’s a reason for this. The insert opens up an “X” hole and gives better penetration because it relieves pinching on the shaft and leaves a better blood trail. I use a Razorhead® with the insert for all kinds of game. Makes no difference the weight of the bow or the size of the game.

As I said before, I like an arrow that is nine times my bow weight in grains. Penetration is a matter of kinetic energy, and it is a well-known fact that a heavy object moving at the same speed is much harder to stop than a lighter one. There’s another factor in the case of an arrow. A given bow has a certain, I’ll call it “quickness,” of return to the string from a full-draw position. A heavy bow can handle a heavier arrow with a great deal more striking energy.

Spine.

The natives didn't use turkey feathers because with the small short feathers they used they couldn't hit one.

Your last sentence says it all. George eloquently explained it in depth. You have a choice. Viability and looks are the reason for large feathers now out of a well tuned rig. There is a lot to be said for that but I just lean toward efficiency in flight and conservative use of my supply of feathers. I do use 5" with self bows and bamboo or shoots. I am just partial to the looks with them. I shoot 2 fletch quite a bit too. It is all good and nice to have choices. >>>>-----> Ken

I wouldn't assume that the NA people all had perfect arrow flight just because the bow was also their shopping cart. You shoot enough or get close enough and meat will come home often enough.

Big birds....thought someone should say it...sorry. >>———————>

You have to remember that shooting distances under 40 yards is a relatively modern trend. 19th century archers very rarely shot rounds under 50 yards. As the popular draw weight of bows reduced down to what we have today (40 -60lbs) from the higher draw weight bows of the post medieval era, so the need to have feathers to stabilize large 1200grain arrows reduced

Most 19th century all wooden bows would shoot much lighter arrows tan we shoot today with smaller fletchings

Personally I don't know why so many revert back to Ishi and Indians bows and arrows. Our archery history is from Europe (England and France etc) and large feathers came from those shooting in almost every case off selfbows and wanted their arrow to straighten out as quick as possible. Larger fletching helped that to happen. I believe their fletching were much longer as well

1000 grain arrows needed more "steerage"

Guys -

Bigger is always better, right?

Probably a combination of all the above.

Poor (or no) tuning, visual esthetics, and better visibility in flight/target.

Viper out.

Thank God for choices. The people of Europe weren't allowed to hunt so the task was in the target field, or clout round. The hunting over here in the US was with unmatched equipment as well, as best they could do at the time....hence bigger feathers.

Frankly it's not a big deal except to those who only shoot two or three inch feathers, so we get the 'you don't need big fletching sermon' from them. That's okay. Choices are good and our history has a way of showing us what works. There is something to be said for the aesthetic aspect of archery; that is the one reason I got into it to begin with, mostly from the opening scene of Robin Hood in the 1955 TV series.

When hunting with woods arrows in or next to corn fields, I like either 4by4 5" or 3 by 5.5", I want that arrow to straighten out as fast as possible coming out of my longbows.

I was going through a couple of big plastic containers of feathers this afternoon- some I've had for decades- and found a couple of bags of really nice turkey tail feathers. I kept them because they were too nice to throw away, even though I couldn't think of a use for them. Looking at them now though, I'm wondering how they'd stand up cut as flu flus? Might as well give 'em a whirl I suppose:) What say you wise ones? Yesterday I was sorting through several boxes of arrows I've had stored away in a shed. One box contained fancy crested hunting arrows with dyed five inch turkey feathers- or used to. I found a bunch of chewed sticks with what was left of the fletches in a chewed up stinky pile on the bottom of the box, along with a brood of half grown mice. I hate those little buggers! JayInOz

I like big feathers. My arrows are bare shaft tuned, so it isn't "not understanding spine" or anything related to compensating for poor tuning.

My arrows are put together with hunting in mind. The only target shooting I do (3D and target leagues year round) is in preparation for hunting.

I want an arrow with lots of feather that will work when damp, steer a big broadhead, and that I can see easily in flight.

There's still lots of folks using 5" feathers.For shots inside 20yds they straighten the arrow a bit quicker.In D Bertalens book literally all the bowyers used either 3x5" 3x5.5" or 4x4" fletch.That book came out around 1990 which isnt really all that long ago and they certainly ubderstood spine very well by then.I dont know what they're all using these days but I know some are still using the same lengths.

I like to watch my arrows in flight, so I fletch accordingly. Roadrunner out.

I shoot 3 x 5.5" because I like it and my arrows fly straight. I can tune my arrows with fletching on. If they fly straight, what more do I need? Another couple of fps? For what?

I always bare shaft tune then go with three 5 inch left wing feathers. Just like the look and the flight of the arrow. Don't understand the 2 fletch or the tiny 2-3 inch use of fletching .My old eyes can't see them in flight lol.

To see where it hits, not guess.

The purpose of seeing an arrow in flight serves a purpose to the guy wanting it. Not only is it an aesthetic to some of us old pharts, it allows you to see where an arrow hits. Why would someone want lighted nocks, or marabou tracers? Same thing...it adds to the experience.

You don't have to understand it, I suppose...but some of us enjoy that part of the sport.

You'd have to hunt, Pat.

Elderly OCR it's a must if you want to learn the trajectory of the arrow.If you stump shoot good luck trying to find your arrow if you cant see where it went.X 10 if the arrow glanced off something and went beyond what you were aiming at.

It's horses for courses isn't it .. as Roger Norris said "My arrows are put together with hunting in mind" If he was flight shooting he'd have a different fletching requirement.

BIG feathers? Manchu military arrow, Peter Dekker illustrating. Smaller feathers for non-military applications.

More Manchu arrows..,

Those Manchu guided missiles?

Gentlemen. Fred Bear, Mr. Hill, Ben Pearson, Byron Ferguson, and on and on and on........ all shot big feathers. I’m pretty sure they knew what they were doing and were more than capable of tuning a bow. Some of you fellas are trying to revolutionize archery by pushing the smallest fletching possible. Stop it.

Honestly guys,can you see a lot of difference in visibility of say a 3" and a 5" feather. When my arrows are flying point on I just see the trailing edge not the length. If they are the same height and color I can't tell the difference. Could be my eye sight though.Yes I do use both. 5" with more primitive self bows and as little as 2" (blazers on skinny target arrows) It is all fun though. Sawtooth go green. Save the turkeys use less feather. 8^) >>>>-----> Ken

Feather length is like most other things in archery, it goes in circles.

In Stemmlers 1942 book "The Essentials of Archery" he talks about feather 2 1/8" long X 1/2" high, (balloon or banana cut). Saxton Pope talked about feathers 2" long in his 1923 book "A Study in Bows and Arrows". so none of this is new. Short feathers aren't new. And neither are long feathers.

shoot a big feather and small feather from a tree stand and you can definitely see the difference. Bigger is better for visibility/seeing your hit.

Big feathers come from big birds.

Joe

She stood and watched two drop without shooting to give him a break. Sights beat instinctive on moving targets too all in fun. Now for small feathers at long range watch the Olympics. >>>>------> Ken

Frisky for the win!!

I like big feathers because they correct the arrow quicker. If I only shot targets and could always get into a target stance I would shoot small feathers. As a hunter I can't always get in the perfect position, and my release may suffer from the odd position. I want feathers that will correct that arrow.

Watch the Olympics and see the arrows oscillating halfway to the target...wouldn't help for penetration on game.

:... easier to use large fletch than to tune properly."

The other side is always the sinning side.

"":... easier to use large fletch than to tune properly.""

And out comes the condescending attitude. Likely that most of those folks can tune just fine.

Use them all like I do then you can choose either side. 8^)

Back in the 1960's of hen I am as getting started in Archery, you went to a hardware store, or maybe a large sporting goods store where you bought all your supplies. Most people bought factory arrows by the 1/2 doz or full dozen. Arrows marketed by Bear, Pearson, etc. Most came that were stockrd on the shelf were spines in 5# ranges, and maybe in 2 or 3 lengths at best. 5" Feathers were the standard, probably to best serve the masses of consumers. Assembly line type of manufacturing many of us grew up with. It was much later in life when fine tuning to today's extremes came in to being for the majority. I shoot 4" and 5" both on my woods and my carbons, but I don't fine tune by the higher degree of today. I shoot mostly selfbows now, ranging from 45# to 55#, and I can shoot any arrow I have off any bow I have and shoot fairly respectably. Not all my arrows fly perfectly off every bow, but they all fly good enough for me.

I think Asbell said that he liked big feathers on his hunting arrows. And they sure do get the job done.

Though once you have seen an arrow track cleanly out to 20 yards bare shaft, those big fins seem kind of excessive...

It’s all good. I’m a hunter. I don’t give a flyin’ flip about target archery but a lot of folks do and that’s cool, I can see where teeny feathers would be a benefit there. I make my arrows to hunt and five inch feathers are all I’ve ever used. They are the standard for me. All my choppers and stuff are five inch- no need to change up now.

Even if you are using 5" feathers, if your arrows fly straight and shoot the line are they not tuned? I kind of think they are.

Some people follow trends and don't,I know that 5 inch feathers work for me.Like Sawtooth I'm not interested In target archery.

HI TEAM? When You are shooting various kinds of targets, Most of Y'ALL are only using some kind of target or field point. Bare-shafting with THOSE kinds of points may work out OK. HOWEVER? I would like to see ANYBODY do "BARE-SHAFT with a BROAD-HEAD and see what kind of accuracy would happen. Anybody ever tried THAT and see where the arrow impacts and what kind of penetration You get? Much less the angle that the arrow will impact on the target. Just Asking? BLESSED BE!

BATMAN I have shot bare shafts with broagheads.They hit right along with field points at 20yds.I know a few others here have done the same.Elderly OCR I think it's a safe bet that they use poison on their arrows.I seriously doubt they would be screwing around with elephants otherwise.

I hunt with stone points only. A reasonably well made point will appear to be fairly symmetrical from any angle, but there are always slight variations, particularly with weight one side to the other. Big fletches don't make a huge difference with an out of balance head shot from a bow of moderate speed. But increase the speed and the difference is really pronounced. I once made a bunch of stone points that all flew reasonably well from my wooden bows, using douglas fir shafts with my standard five inch fletching. I cut a couple of arrows off about an inch and a half behind the point, and fitted them into 2514 aluminium arrows with smallish plastic vanes. Shot from a fast Martin compound bow, I was lucky to get a four foot group at thirty yards. With commercially made broad heads those shafts were deadly from that bow. So with the little guy at the front wanting to steer, you need the big guy at the back to take control:) JayInOz

Most of what is seen of the African, and even many South American bows is they use long arrows from shoots...many times the arrow itself is over 3 feet long and bows just strong enough to penetrate the animal enough to deliver a dose of poison. Fletching isn't needed. That has absolutely nothing to do with our equipment and how it performs.

From Pope's book about Ishi's arrows---In general it may be said that his typical hunting arrow was a hazel stick, with a foreshaft, the entire length being 29 inches. The diameter at the middle was 11/32 inch ; and the total weight was 330 grains. The feathering of the arrow consisted of three plumes from a buzzard's wing, 4 3/4 inches long, % inch wide. They were trimmed straight to the forward end. where their width was about 1/8 inch, and terminated 3/4 inch from the nock of the arrow. At each end the feathers were bound down with sinew.

I mentioned earlier in this thread that I found some really nice turkey tail feathers and was wondering how they'd go as flu flus. Well I just made a couple and they look fine. It's 11.30 pm so shooting them will have to wait a bit:) I split the feathers, cleaned up the quill and spiral wrapped using both halves of the same feather on each arrow. Wild lookin things but should do the trick. Carry on:) JayInOz

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