I've always used feathers and found Tru-Flite have the most consistant base--Gateways are too irregular.I put feathers on big,fat wood shafts down to small carbons and always get good contact with the Tru-Flite's.Another thing to consider:it's absolutely important that you use right wing feathers with a right wing clamp.Fletching tape works very well also--just put a drop of glue on the leading and back edges of the feathers after they're fletched.