I prefer TrueFlight as well, but recently AMG's product has increased in quality. A few years ago, I tried the AMG's and was not too impressed with their base consistancy. I tried them again last summer for my longbow arrows and got them from Bulleseye feathers on the big auction site. They were just great and I've ordered many more. I like bright ones too and AMG's colors are vibrant. I also like TrueFlight's Bright Stripes.

I am also a big feather user. I have used both gateway and truflight but have found truflights bases to be a bit more consistant. I also use feather fletching tape to fletch them. It is so much easier than waiting for glue to dry. And I have never had any problem with the tape coming undone. I just place a dab of glue at the front and the back, U have used feathers in every weather condition imaginable and had no problems at all. As far as them grouping the same with Blazers, they are very close. When I say very close I think my feather groups are about 1/2 inch higher if that. Not enough to be concerned about really.

I'd almost forgotten that. I've been shooting Gateway feathers since then and I've never looked back. I'd like to check out some other brands though. I've noticed that there's a large deviation in the base thickness and width on Gateway feathers. If what some have said on here is true, Tru-Flite may have better bases. Still, I've only had minimal problems fletching even the thick, wide based Gateways.

Feather fletching tape? How does it hold up and where can I get some?
Okay.... duh. Just read the next sentence. That only leaves "where can I get some?"

Wrong thread.[&o]

http://www.3riversarchery.com/Product.asp?c=52&s=220&p=219&i=5384

The tape is great for feathers. I have even pulled it through targets and straw balesand they still stay on.

Thanks for the info. I've gotta get some of that.

Tru flights for me all the way baby. I am currently using Blazers but when I get new arrows or re fletch I will go back to 5 inch tru flight feathers.

After trying them though if I had to shoot vanes I think I would go with the blazers, I'm pretty impressed with them.

Paul

Yeah not sure how anyone would ever prefer Gateway feathers over Tru Flights.[:-]
I'm an on again off again feather user but since I started really getting into Traditional archery I appreciate the quality of a Tru Flight feather.

IMO the only thing the 2 have in common is that they both were once a part of a bird. Gateway feather bases are a major crap shoot, thick, thin, (mostly thick) uneven, cracked, channeled and basically a rigid inconsistent mess.....plus the heights and lengths can vary as well.
They'll work but if you want the best get Tru Flights. I have a couple 100 packs of Tru flight 5" Sheild cuts and I could lay all 100 feathers out side by side and they look , feel and behave identically with very flexible thin even bases.

I'm getting so excited I think I might just go knock out a couple new longbow arrows!

Seeing as how I've never dealt with feathers, is there anything I need to know about fletching them that will differ from vanes? Same glue I use for vanes work? Same jig and clamp?

Dan I just fletched up some arrows with feathers and used the same jig, clamp and glue as I did earlier this year with Blazers! I might go back to feathers for my compound, when I do it will be with Tru Flight, not Gateway! I used 5" Sheild with the cock barred and the barred is no so barred if you know what I mean. The Tru-Flight look a lot better. As for the bases I'm sure the Tru-Flight are more consistent! In other words, not happy with gateway!