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Feather with modern compound arrow set up + fixed blades

4.8K views 44 replies 35 participants last post by  Mohegan  
#1 ·
I searched but found 1 thread that wasn't very applicable.

I've been thinking about trying feather fletching on my carbon arrows but wanted to see what the general consensus is before I waste time and money fletching them up.

I generally shoot 65-67 pounds, small diameter arrows with fixed blade heads.

Are they able to steer a fixed blade broadhead such as the QAD Exodus or G5 Striker V2 as well or better than a plastic vane?

How do they compare for noise?

I assume they are lighter therefore better FOC?

Do they adhere to wraps as well as plastic vanes?

Thanks and any other info is appreciated!
 
#2 ·
Many good reasons everyone went to vanes decades ago;

More Durable, better weather resistance and better down range performance

Feathers work....and they are a necessity for trad bows shooting off the shelf.....no real advantage to compound bows.
 
#44 ·
I think it depends on the feather or vane. I have pretty large 4” feathers and they seem to stabilize the arrow faster and work well with large broadheads. I have the same arrows with low profile 4” vanes for wet weather.
The feathers are noisier and a bit slower but I trust them more for larger broadheads.
Feathers stick to wraps great.
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#4 ·
I shot feathers long after everyone was already switching to plastic vanes.
They are much lighter for sure. Take off the wraps and save even more weight.
I wouldn't recommend shooting them thru a Whisker Biscuit, but with a fall-away rest, you should fine.
Durability, yea they aren't as durable as plastic vanes, but they aren't as fragile as some would lead you to believe.
As for the rain thing, I don't hunt much in the rain.
 
#6 ·
I’ve bowhunted extensively for 46 years. With the exception to a number of trips to Alaska, I’ve shot feathers exclusively. I’ve used RW 5”, 4” and 3”. Currently I use 3”, four fletched. I use fixed heads only, currently Iron Will regular size and wide. Feathers will absolutely stabilize fixed heads, they have for centuries. Are they noisier, I think so, but in my view, arrow noise is not an issue unless maybe if it’s excessive. Bow noise is the issue. Feathers can cost more, they don’t wear as well as vanes, and in the rain they can soak up water, impacting their performance. I use Fletch Tite Platinum and wraps, with no adhesion issues.
 
#7 ·
Feathers are cool, try it, why not? I have aluminum and carbon arrows with feathers, carbon arrows with vanes. I shot and hunted a lot with feathers years ago, I had zero issues with stability or accuracy using them. I had a liquid Bohning stuff that I put on them to waterproof them, kinda looked like a nail polish bottle. The vanes are a lot quieter at high speed and the durability is super nice. Vanes also shoot flatter at distance than feathers, easily verified by shooting both on the same arrow. I only hunt with vanes anymore but still shoot some feathers now and then because why not LOL. Some time and money is all I will cost you to try it.
 
#10 ·
Well, Iv been bowhunting over SIX decades. Used nothing but feather b/4 compounds became the craze. Few if any vanes out there then. Since, I'm guessing 75% or there abouts of my biggame has been taken with feathers of various sizes. Currently I have 2" 4 fletch on a 2216 Aluminum shaft & 3 blade fixed (I've been shooting 3 blade fixed nearly 50 years now). I also bowhunted in every kind of weather you can imagine & have never used a water proofing on my fletching & never a problem. A week of Caribou bowhunting in sleet & rain is an example. I've use 2" 4 fletch 3", 3 fletch, 4" 3 fletch, 5" 3 fletch & even 4" 4 fletch. Some helical, some offset. I have always gotten excellent flight. I also use feathers
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"most" times for competition (Fieled out to 80 yds & target to 60 yds). Some feather photos over the years.
 

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#11 ·
I searched but found 1 thread that wasn't very applicable.

I've been thinking about trying feather fletching on my carbon arrows but wanted to see what the general consensus is before I waste time and money fletching them up.

I generally shoot 65-67 pounds, small diameter arrows with fixed blade heads.

Are they able to steer a fixed blade broadhead such as the QAD Exodus or G5 Striker V2 as well or better than a plastic vane?

How do they compare for noise?

I assume they are lighter therefore better FOC?

Do they adhere to wraps as well as plastic vanes?

Thanks and any other info is appreciated!
Here you go.

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3" feathers on VAP TKO's with a wrap shooting 63-64 lbs. and a Slick Trick Mag.

I have fletched with feathers for years and have had no real issues with or without wraps, I use a super glue gel and accelerator.

3 feathers will weigh less or about the same as 1 plastic, as for noise I think that is a non-issue because the animal will hear the bow first and what comes after is of little consequence.

Plastics do have the durability advantage, but it's not like feathers are overly fragile, you should give them a try.
 
#14 ·
I ran feathers till last year and I did not switch because of hunting they are great in the hunting woods they are better at stabilizing an arrow period no matter what others say
A feather clips a branch no problem a vane will redirect your arrow
I switched do to consolidation and only having one set up for everything and vanes are more durable and better trajectory for long range ( past my hunting range )
 
#15 ·
Ok, ok….so the 7 guys still shooting feathers all sung their praises- grin

Sure they work, I use 3-3” in my recurve but even treated they suck in the rain.

5” feathers-oh man….those arrows drop like a rock at any distance. Why would anyone rob that much energy from their arrow?
Its all good, shoot what you want.

I do think its telling that feather use dropped to almost nothing a few years after vanes came out.
 
#16 ·
Just bought 6 Easton Bloodline carbon shafts with 3” parabolic helical feathers. I prefer feathers, all white feathers, better yet all white feathers now red from a pass thru. I use the Bohning waterproofing powder as I do hunt in rain. I’ve shot both, blazers are noisy, but always go back to feathers. Light, quiet, durable, and natural.
 
#17 ·
I don't hunt in the rain, so that's not an issue. :)

I'm shooting an Elite Ritual 30 @ 57# and a 29" DL.
I shoot Gold Tip Hunter XT 300 spine at 27", 100 gr. brass insert, 150 gr. Grizzly single bevel (left bevel) and 3" True Flight feathers in a shield cut (no, they're not noisy) fletched with a left off-set to match the left bevel broadheads. 525 TAW with 22% FOC. :cool:

Excellent flight control with great accuracy out to 50 yards. This setup will allow me to hit a 2" target dot at 40 yards, consistently. 💯 I've shot Magnus BuzzCut 150 gr., Magnus Black Hornet 125 gr., Grizzly 150 gr. single left bevel. All of them hit to the same P.O.I. as the same weight field tips.
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#22 ·
I searched but found 1 thread that wasn't very applicable.

I've been thinking about trying feather fletching on my carbon arrows but wanted to see what the general consensus is before I waste time and money fletching them up.

I generally shoot 65-67 pounds, small diameter arrows with fixed blade heads.

Are they able to steer a fixed blade broadhead such as the QAD Exodus or G5 Striker V2 as well or better than a plastic vane?

How do they compare for noise?

I assume they are lighter therefore better FOC?

Do they adhere to wraps as well as plastic vanes?

Thanks and any other info is appreciated!
Absouletly my go to fletching. I prefer 4" left helical 3 fletch feathers and use QAD Exodus.
 
#24 ·
I can't use them...........lol. I get nostalgic once in a while and try them but I'm just too OCD...........lol. They "work" fine but they will get ragged and make more noise and they lose little sections etc etc.....and if you hunt they get messed up when you lower the bow and go through tight woods.

NONE of that effects how they work (other than the added noise) and they stabilize better inch for inch but they are more work than they are worth (IMO).

But they are cool as hell too.........if that doesn't bother you.

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#26 ·
I can't use them...........lol. I get nostalgic once in a while and try them but I'm just too OCD...........lol. They "work" fine but they will get ragged and make more noise and they lose little sections etc etc.....and if you hunt they get messed up when you lower the bow and go through tight woods.

NONE of that effects how they work (other than the added noise) and they stabilize better inch for inch but they are more work than they are worth (IMO).

But they are cool as hell too.........if that doesn't bother you.

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They are a pleasure to fletch too, and they are certainly aesthetically superior… but like you, they aren’t worth it
 
#25 ·
I searched but found 1 thread that wasn't very applicable.

I've been thinking about trying feather fletching on my carbon arrows but wanted to see what the general consensus is before I waste time and money fletching them up.

I generally shoot 65-67 pounds, small diameter arrows with fixed blade heads.

Are they able to steer a fixed blade broadhead such as the QAD Exodus or G5 Striker V2 as well or better than a plastic vane?

How do they compare for noise?

I assume they are lighter therefore better FOC?

Do they adhere to wraps as well as plastic vanes?

Thanks and any other info is appreciated!
Feathers are great for steering. If it wasn’t for moisture management where I live and hunt, I would only shoot feathers. The bigger batwings are probably my favorite for 3 fletch… quiet and work excellent

as it is, I despise feathers living here, to the extent I shoot vanes on my recurve, but that’s only because of moisture (I’ve tried everything)

the only other downside is they are loud brushing on you or brush, but that’s easy to work around
 
#27 ·
I do quite a bit of blind hunting and shoot through screen. Feathers will pass through tight screen behind a fixed blade head with no issue. Vanes, not so clean. Therefore, I four fletch with 3" shield cut feathers. Great stability. They are fragile, but the water proofing material available works fine. Really like the light rear weight to get the FOC I seek. Would not be my choice for bowhunting past 40 yards. Like other have said, feathers really catch air, and the parachute effect is evident the longer the range. They have their place still for certain applications. If I tree stand hunted only, the I would go plastic fletch. But, I will say, feathers will assist in getting fixed blades to fly in the absence of an absolute perfect tune. Not an excuse not to tune your bow but they do allow for some wiggle room.
 
#40 ·
I do quite a bit of blind hunting and shoot through screen. Feathers will pass through tight screen behind a fixed blade head with no issue. Vanes, not so clean.
Never thought about that because I don't blind hunt or shoot through a screen but it makes a LOT of sense if you do.
 
#29 ·
Appreciate all the replies !! I think after season I'm going to fletch a few up and see how it goes. I haven't considered the contact concept that feathers will lay down as opposed to deflecting.
Also hadn't thought about the moisture aspect, I don't hunt much in rain but every now and then as you can't expect a Kansas forecast to hold true for more than about 10 minutes !