Lot's o' questions....

1) I personally shoot off an elevated rest. A Flipper II to be exact. Although, for the utmost in equipment simplicity, you can shoot off the shelf (provided that you bow was made for it).

2) I much prefer feathers for recurves and longbows. Much more forgiving than vanes. Besides, if you shoot off the shelf, vanes are out of the question.

3) Aluminums are more exacting in tolerances than carbon, but are much more prone to breakage. Carbons don't get bent either. For the most durable and trouble-free shafts...I use carbon.

JRW