I generally use straight fletch 4" Duravane through the whisker biscuit with good results. With vanes what you want to use are those that have a high polycarbonate content to them, they are harder, slicker, smoother and go through the rest faster than the soft, dull, rubber kind. Feathers are always going to make more noise than vanes. The outer edge of feathers will show a wear pattern that will be even on all the feathers after about 200 shots. This polishing of the outer edge of the feather does not seem to increase after those initial 200 shots. When the feathers are broken in they seem quieter through the rest then when new.