RE: Feathers or Vanes??
 

What are the feathers everyone is talking about here made of. I've heard the idea that the rain causes problems with the feathers. I assumed those were real feathers like from a pheasant or something. If they are made of plastic why would the rain affect them any different than vanes. I know dumb question.

RE: Feathers or Vanes??
 

DC, they are real feathers. They're taken from turkey wings. You can find out everything you never knew you could know about feathers here:

www.trueflightfeathers.com/

RE: Feathers or Vanes??
 

I use feathers for hunting, vanes for target archery. Feathers give you a few more fps, not much. They are more forgiving if you don't shoot a drop away. If your bow is tuned perfectly, at short ranges it won't matter if your feathers are wet. I shot one of my better scores in the rain with feathers.

RE: Feathers or Vanes??
 

Feathers here too!![8D]

RE: Feathers or Vanes??
 

"…..unless you shoot a drop away than this point is null."

Not true! There are several other advantage vs. disadvantage factors then just feather/vane clearance (contact) of rest.

"….vanes are much more durable and last longer.

Not true as a "blanket" statement! Too many differing factors exist. I have some feather-fletched arrows from the early 70's. The feathers are still strongly attached to the shaft and in great condition.

In time, sometimes in short time, vinyl/plastic will warp, wrinkle, cut, and rot.

RE: Feathers or Vanes??
 

If you re-read my original statement when I said "this point is null" I was refering to fletching clearence upon release and nothing more. And in fact, if you do shoot a drop away then fletching clearence should be a mute argument. If it is not then I would recomend buying a new drop away. At no point did I make any statemet referring to anything else being null. You are arguing against something I didn't even say.

Also when I said that vanes hold up better in harsh weather, I still FEEL that this is an accurate statement. Granted you will find a few people who shot feathers in the rain from really close distances and made good shots (I didn't say that everything was 100%). But in general if you had to rely on feathers or vanes in the rain you would have to say vanes. And if you still don't agree then there is no point discussing this matter any further because some people just like feathers and they will give no credit to vanes whatsoever.

As far as it being a "blanket" statement, of course it is. The original question was Feathers or vanes? not orange barred Feathers made by tru-flite between 1975 and 1978 vs. Red 4" vanes made in 1999. I just said that overall I have noticed that vanes hold up much better. I understand that you can straighten feathers out but I have had too many people shoot small pieces out of my feathers. Even though they do lay back down I still don't like it when I can see through them (once again, my personal experience and not written in stone). Please remember that in no point during my entire post did I say that anyone HAD to shoot vanes. All of these statements are from my findings and in my opinion. I understand that everyone has there own personal likes and dislikes. As far as feathers go, yes they are more forgiving, and do fly better than vanes, to this I agree, however if no one has any good points to give vanes than this topic should be call "why feathers are so great" and not "Feathers or Vanes ?"

RE: Feathers or Vanes??
 

OK guys, let's not get into arguments here;) Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I just like to hear from anyone and everyone to get all kinds of ideas.

RE: Feathers or Vanes??
 

Thanks Arthur P. I checked out the trueflight site. Maybe I should be starting a new thread here but ole well I'm posting it here. I noticed that on their site you can send them your own turkey feathers and they will do their magic and send them back for a small fee. Well my question is has anyone here ever tried to make their own feather fletchings from turkey feathers. I have two wings in the freezer.[:-]

RE: Feathers or Vanes??
 

another vote here for feathers

RE: Feathers or Vanes??
 

Very true and considering that this is the number one tuning problem , feathers go a long way in makeing archery fun instead of a chore . I allso find myself in agreement with c903 feathers have many other advantages . I shoot a fallaway rest and would much rather have arrows with feathers on them in my quiver than vanes .