RE: Difference between offset and helical
I have a helical clamp and it is curved. It can also be set offset, just like a straight clamp. The fletching edge, where it contacts the shaft, is definitely not in a straight line. The helical clamp actually wraps around the clamp like a very wide thread spacing on a screw. The straight clamp does not wrap around the shaft.
I would say that 98redline' s sketch comes closest.