ARROWS: FLETCH vs FEATHER

[SalCucco]

I am new to traditional archery (looking to get my first recurve soon) but was wondering what most trad guys shoot on their arrows, fletch or feather because of the contact with the bow shelf.

Just looking for some help before i buy any arrows.

[C_n_OKC]

Hello SalCucco,

I don't have the experience that will be helping you out shortly, but I'll answer first at least. You're going to hear Feathers all the way. They get out of the way better, and most importantly look much better! I'm sure someone will chime in with all the reasons in a bit.

C-

[kevin1]

I practice with both vanes and feathers , but my hunting shafts have feathers only . I like the control they impart to the arrow , and with as badly as I shoot I need all the help I can get .

[BobCo19-65]

If you are shooting off of the shelf, then you will need to use feathers.

[Arthur P]

If you are shooting off of the shelf, then you will need to use feathers.

Yep.

Plastic vanes only work properly when used with elevated rests. There are a very few who shoot vanes off the shelf, but when you look at their accuracy and arrow flight, they aren't doing it well.

I've got only one recurve that is set up with an elevated rest. All the rest of my bows are set up to shoot either off the shelf or off my knuckle. Even the one bow with the elevated rest shoots better with feathers. So, why even mess with plastic?

[bowtech die hard]

Gotta use feathers so they can fold out of the way when they contact the shelf.