Straight - Offset - Helical? [align=center]




Another factor that determines the effectiveness of your fletching is the TURN of the fletch. If your fletching is arranged in a helical (spiral) pattern - like a boat propeller - your arrow will rotate in flight. Much like a football that's thrown with a perfect spiral, an arrow will fly straighter and be more stable if it rotates in-flight. Aerodynamically, a helical configuration is clearly a better choice. However, a helical fletch may not always be appropriate or necessary for your particular bow setup. For example, some arrow rests will not provide enough clearance to allow a helical fletch to pass thru without contact. In this case, many archers use an offset fletch, where the vanes are still straight, rather than in a spiral pattern, but they are slightly turned on the shaft to promote some rotation in-flight without compromising fletching clearance. For very unforgiving arrow rests with limited clearance, or for competition target setups that don't require much stabilization, the straight fletch may be the best option. Take a look at the diagrams below and the corresponding pro's and con's associated with each fletching configuration. When you order your arrows, you'll need to select one of these options. [align=center]




Straight Fletch
4º Right Offset Fletch
Right Helical Fletch

[align=center]
Does Not Rotate in Flight[/align]
[align=center]
Rotates Slightly in Flight[/align]
[align=center]
Rotates Dramatically in Flight[/align]

- Fastest Flying Vane Configuration
- Least Amount of Air Resistance
- Works with Any Arrow Rest
- Minimal Fletching Clearance Problems
- Provides More Stabilization for Broadheads
- Only Some Air Resistance in Flight
- Works with Most Arrow Rests
- Stable Flight to Moderate Distances
- Superior Stabilization for Broadheads
- Best Overall Arrow Flight at Long Distance
- Increased Overall Accuracy
- Arrow Corrects Attitude in Flight

- Less Stable at Long Distances
- Provides Less Stabilization for Broadheads
- Best Used in a Well-Tuned Bow
- May Cause Fletching Clearance Issues
- Some Loss of Arrow Velocity
(Most Popular Choice)
- Notable Loss of Arrow Velocity
- Fletching Clearance More Problematic[/align][/align]