4 fletch will steer a bigger broadhead better.

3 fletch has higher FOC not much though.

3 Fletch less wind drag.

I am sure there are a bunch more out there.

Fletch up a handful and shoot them and see if there is any different. I didn't see a big advantage.

 

I've made arrows for myself since the mid 50s. I've made hundreds more for customers when I had a shop/lanes (18 years).I make/repair for 8 family members now. 3 & 4 fletch even some 6. Vanes of various length, shape as well as feathers. I still switch off "just" because I want something different. Do I personally see a difference? Not really. I've shot 3 fletch & 4 fletch (basic same arrow except the fletch) at the same time & different distances & see little or no difference in how they perform. A 4 may control a large BH better but from my experience, could tell no difference.

 

I prefer the 4 for looks and I can see them impact better. I have not noticed an increase in accuracy.

Matter of fact I lost a vane on a four fletch arrow the other day, have shot it the last few days at the range and it groups with my other arrows with the 3 that are left. Currently have 3 different vane configurations on my arrows now and they all group together out to 60.

 

I recently had a dozen arrows made with 4 fletch. Not sure I like them. Could be in my head but having trouble getting them to shoot well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

you can nock your arrow without looking at it with a 4 fletch, might not seem like a big deal until that extra head movement is a big deal...

 

I don't need to look at my arrows to nock a 3 fletch. That is why the nocks have a ridge on one side of them. I can feel if it is right.

I did shoot 4 fletch for about 20 years. Shooting 3 fletch for about 15 years now.

 

It totally depends on the vane you're using. For some vanes a 4-fletch may be a "pro" and for other vanes it may be a "con". Same for 3-fletch......just depends on the vane.

 

depending on the broadhead you are using, my general rule of thumb is anything .5" high in a vane should work with majority of fixed blades in 3 fletch and anything under .5" would benefit with fixed blades in a 4 fletch. there are many variables in there but just a guideline i like to use. for actual data, 4 fletch can help with clearance issues in multiple ways depending on the clearance that is causing the issue. if you are not as great with form, consistency in your shot, and tuning then 4 could also help you out with Fixed blade accuracy. 3 fletch will be quiter basing it off the same vane in 3 or 4 fletch style.

 

4 Fletch more supplies, money, work and not necessary all for lower FOC.

 

I've shot both. If there's a different in flight I'm not good enough to notice it. I just love the look of four fletch with low profile vanes.

 

I shot 75/105 four fletch for many years, pre drop away rests. That allowed me to knock an arrow without looking and still have good clearance of riser.
In the drop away era, I went back to three fletch for the past 10 or so years. All of those being 4” feathers and vanes, mostly feathers.
Recently I went to 3” four fletch, 90 degrees. Reason for that is I have a newer bow with a little less brace height and the 4” fletch was into my Ripcord rest when nocked. The 3” avoids that issue.
Honestly, I can not tell any difference in arrow flight in these different fletch options.

 

In some cases more fletchings would act like a parachute and be detrimental depending on the arrow and bow combination. One must check to ensure it isn't losing too much speed and momentum so as to not negatively affect down range impact.

I have never been able to see that much difference in my tests to necessitate going to a 4 fletch, unless I am shooting to support a Guillotine type broadhead for turkey hunting.

 

The mistake that some guys make is they will shoot a bigger vane with 3 fletch and then put a really low profile van for their 4 fletch. In theory that is fine but if you have bad form, those 4 small vanes won't correct your arrow in flight like a larger vane might.

 

I cannot ever remember holding the nock of an arrow when I put it on the string. I never touch the nock when loading an arrow. I hold it in the middle.

 

I prefer 3. I tried 4 and immediately noticed them flying funny out of my Triax. Eventually I realized that a fletching was hitting the cable on the way through. With the 3 fletch I can turn my nocks to avoid that impact, but with 4 there isn't enough room between fletching. My 3 fletch are so accurate I can't imagine gaining something by having more. It's just adding another expense and possible point of failure.

 

Besides just being something to do, I don't see the point in most 4 fletch setups. If you're trying to maximize steering you'd want as large of fletching as possible with as much helical as possible but 4 fletchers usually go smaller vanes and don't put as much offset or helical on them. My question would be, "What's the point in that"? A 3 fletch with hard helical will steer better than a low profile, small vane in a 4 fletch with a slight offset. The only thing 4 fletch might do is aid in cable clearance if that's a problem for you. Otherwise it just takes more time and more expense.

 

What are you using these arrows for? with a fixed broad head, I use 3 three inch low profile parabolic feathers, I do not care for Blazers, too heavy and loud. For 3D I use three 2" feathers that I burn down to 1/2" parabolic on a Young feather burner. I see no real need to go to 4 fletch.

 

I'm interested to test out the 3 vs 4 fletch in the near future..just fletched up both with fusion 2.1 vanes with r-helical.

 

depends on the fletchings, and your setup... 4 smaller profile vanes should be quieter and give better clearance. my favorite configuration i have shot is 6 mini blazers, great clearance, and quieter than any other configuration i have shot, and did not parachute like some thought.... even over 20% foc.

you really should try stuff yourself, asking here will get you the runaround and that's it, try a couple different setups and decide what fits you best

 

I have shot mostly 3 fletch with fixed blade broadheads. I do see some benefit of low profile 4 fletch for clearance.

 

I noticed that 4 vanes controlled my arrow flight better then a 3 vane set up at further distances but I think that was partly due to shooting an underspined arrow. I was shooting g a 300 spine with 80lbs limbs. I have 250 spines ordered and am interested to see the difference. Does that sound right to anybody?

 

very well could, that's why it's important to try stuff yourself, to find what works best for you and your setup.... don't take anyone's word who thinks they know what's best for you and your setup

 

Its in your head..

 

Anyone else have an issue with a vane touching their face shooting a 4 vane? I can feel the top left vane against my face. Never had that problem with a 3 vane.

 

depends on the vane. i think the pros of more vanes is adequate steerage, with a lower profile vane, which most times will also making it quieter (depending on the vane) i don't see the benefit of 4 regular blazers vs 3, i would rather shoot 3 with more helical than 4... but i do see the benefit to 4 smaller vanes vs 3 larger (better face/cable clearance) and quieter.

6 mini blazers are way quieter than 3 full size blazers, going to a 4 vane configuration splits the difference there... not as quiet, or as low profile, but also not the hassle of putting 6 fletchings on each arrow.

i think folks should try some different configurations and decide what works best for you. if you need 4 full sized blazers, i would try to trouble shoot why, because that is a high profile loud configuration that will likely lead to face contact.

 

If 4 vanes are flying better it's probably because people are using little vanes. Then when you add an extra one it might help. But if you just 3 longer vanes it's the same thing....it's all about surface area.

 

I’ve used 3 and 4 fletch off and on. All I use are feathers and I’ve never been able to see the difference. I do think 4 fletch looks better. The time and money things are points to consider but not enough for me to worry about.

 

I messed around with four fletch last year. My three fletch steered my broadheads to the same place my four fletch did. I don't see the point. There is definitely some extra sterring power there for a botched shot, but IMO the weight, time, and extra money to add and one fletch is pointless to me.