feather vs. plastic fletching

silvergts1998 · by **silvergts1998** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:06 pm

Which one is the best to use? I was told feathers.

KwackWacker · by **KwackWacker** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:57 am

Fletches (feathers)

Pros
1) more forgiving flight.

Cons
1) More air drag causing a slower arrow.
2) Won't stand up to moisture (rain, mist or fog)
3) Won't stand up to abuse.
4) Can't use them our of a capture style rest like a whisker biscuit.

Vanes

Pros
1) Get them wet all you want, they'll take it.
2) They take a fair amount of abuse without any problem.
3) Less drag giving you a faster arrow.

Cons
1) If your bow is out of tune or is the vane is touching any part of the rest when you shoot, it will cause your arrow to fishtail or porpoise all the way to the target, although if it's bad enough this will happen with fletches also.

Go with vanes.

nissen121523 · by **nissen121523** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 7:13 am

I compared a set of fletches to a set of vanes i have at a shooting range and my fletches shot 20 fps better

silvergts1998 · by **silvergts1998** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:41 pm

I just tested the plastic vans to the feathers...Feathers where faster. My grouping was very tight. I was impressed, but feathers don't take abuse too well and have to steam them to make them better.

DouglasSpear · by **DouglasSpear** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:49 am

I've used both and I prefer plastic - much better arrow flight and no problems in rain/snow, unlike feathers.

no1sikahunter · by **no1sikahunter** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:34 pm

I like my feathers have been shooting barred feathers for 18 years .Got to hold on to some of the old ways.Just me i guess but they sure look GOOD. :lol:

bowhunter4ever · by **bowhunter4ever** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:19 pm

I shoot the plastic 2" Blazer vanes. The arrow flight is amazing and they still stabalize just as fast as a 4" Duravane. They are a little thicker than the duravanes so they have less flex and a bit lighter arrow for increased speed. Just my $.02

KwackWacker · by **KwackWacker** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:32 am

nissen121523 wrote:I compared a set of fletches to a set of vanes i have at a shooting range and my fletches shot 20 fps better

How far away was the chronograph? If it was within a few feet then the extra drag on the arrow wouldn't come into effect for another few yards. When a fletched arrow is initially shot the fletches lay flat for a very brief time. Once they pop back up the drag really starts to take effect. This is why they gernerally give a littlke better arrow flight and tned to be more forgiving. I'm not trying to give fletches a bad name. I shot them for many years with scotch guard sprayed on them to help with the moisture. I just like vanes better now.

Brow Tine · by **Brow Tine** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:14 pm

I used to use feathers when I first started but now only shoot vanes. They are more durable and easier to repair.

silvergts1998 · by **silvergts1998** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 1:44 pm

I think I am heading back to plastic vans. Feathers can't take a beating.

nissen121523 · by **nissen121523** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 6:57 pm

Kwack

You're right on. It was only a few feet away and what you're saying makes a lot of sense. i still shoot both when practicing but when it comes to hunting i normally would go with feathers. This year i'll probably use my vanes now that you mentioned that.

backwoodsman · by **backwoodsman** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:43 pm

Feathers for me. If it aint broke dont fix it.

silvergts1998 · by **silvergts1998** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:47 pm

KwackWacker wrote:
nissen121523 wrote:I compared a set of fletches to a set of vanes i have at a shooting range and my fletches shot 20 fps better

How far away was the chronograph? If it was within a few feet then the extra drag on the arrow wouldn't come into effect for another few yards. When a fletched arrow is initially shot the fletches lay flat for a very brief time. Once they pop back up the drag really starts to take effect. This is why they gernerally give a littlke better arrow flight and tned to be more forgiving. I'm not trying to give fletches a bad name. I shot them for many years with scotch guard sprayed on them to help with the moisture. I just like vanes better now.

How did the scotch guard work out for you? I was thinking of trying that since I went back with feathers again. LOL!

KwackWacker · by **KwackWacker** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 2:11 pm

silvergts1998 wrote:
How did the scotch guard work out for you? I was thinking of trying that since I went back with feathers again. LOL!

Like a champ. It won't repel the heavy rains but you normally aren't hunting then anyway. For misty, foggy or light rains it works great. A word of warning, find a few arrows that shoot really well and straight, then keep those aside for hunting. Treat them with scotchguard and don't use them to practice with. The new stiff flecthes will do better with scotchguard than ones you have shot a lot or ones that have a little wear and tear. And don't use too much scotchguard, if you soak them down too much they'll wrinkle and the scotchguard will stiffen them up that way. Just my experience.

nyhunter24 · by **nyhunter24** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 4:20 pm

i use plastic vanes

feather vs. plastic fletching

feather vs. plastic fletching

feathers

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