Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

The last year I have only had a straight fletch and I am wanting to do an offset / helical to improve accuracy. What are the advantages / dis-advantages of fletching an arrow with an offset vs. a helical. I am a right handed shooter and use a NAP drop away arrow rest, so I would fletch a right handed offset or helical...correct? What is the best over-all degree to fletch either style? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

Helical fletching willgive your arrows more spin, thus more accurate groups. An offset fletch is better than a straight fletch, but a helical is better than an offset. The greater the helical the better, but you must be careful not to allow the fletching to hit the rest.

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

Isn't it true though that a helical will decrease the velocity of the arrow by a significant amount?

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

Slightly due to wind drag which is why it's better for arrow stability, is it significant or relevant....no and the advantages certainly out way the disadvantages.

And to your other question in your first post/thread starter, I'm a right handed shooter and us a left offset. Right/Left shouldn't matter unless you use matching offset/helical bladed broadheads. The direction of spin is not relevant.

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

So it would be better to go with a helical instead of a off-set...correct? Is there a certain degree of helical that is "just about right"?? What is a good fletching jig that can accomplish this task as well?

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

As stated above, helical will provide the most drag to the back of the arrow and will stabilize a broadhead better than just about anything else out there. That extra drag does not come without some compromose and that is long distance velocity. Out to abouit 35 yards or so, you will not be able to really tell the difference between offset and helical. Beyond 35, the helical will drop faster.

For the amount of helical, generally the clamp on your jig sets the amount and is not adjustable. For my helical fletches I also put on as much offset as I can and still keep the base of the fletch (feather or vane) in full contact with the arrow shaft. Let that be your guide as to when you have too much offset.

With respect to the jig, there are many good ones out there, but my personal favorite is a Bitzenberger. Somewhat pricey when compared to other jigs, but it is a joy to use.

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

The direction of right/left helical is important to people who still shoot off their knuckles. Not many of them around though. One way will cut your finger/hand, the other way won't.

I prefer a helical with feathers, offset with vanes.

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

With a drop away fletching contact with your rest is no longer an issue the more helical the better. The spin that is created will improve accuracy with field points and be a very big help with broad heads. It’s just like the spin of a football the more spin the better. Be careful of your vane size 4" in most cases will do just fine. 5" will give greater twist but they are more apt to contact your riser. After you fletch your arrow spray them with aerosol foot powder. You will see at what point the rest looses contact with your arrow and if you’re fletching are hitting your strings or riser

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

I started using T-4 turbonocks with blazers and 4 degree right offset.

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

I want to use Blazer vanes as well...what arrows are you putting the blazer vanes on? Thanks for the info!

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

pay attention to what redline said so you get your terminology correct (if that's important to you). the clamp sets the helical, you control the offset.

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

So, from what i under stand the helical fletching would be better for hunting purposes? More stablized flight w/ broadheads out to 35yds( farther than I care to shoot) but is this a more difficult set-up for the beginner and do you think that they would put helical fletching on at the shop or is this a do it yourslf proposition only? Is it better to shoot w/ feathers?

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

I use a full right helical. When your arrows hits the target you points do not come unscrewed.
I also like using large fixed blade heads(150 gr. snuffers) . Full right helical with feathers, 4 degree offset with the Blazers.

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

Chupa, those are somebad a** looking arrows. I like you choice of broadhead!

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

I definitely want to get the terminology correct. Thanks for pointing that out! It seems to me that not using a right helical would be pretty dumb. Why even use a left helical if the target points are going to come unscrewed...seems right would be the only way to go. I understand that back in the day, it use to make a difference, but now a-days, it seems right helical would be the only way to go.

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

The only way that yo have to worry about your points coming unscrewed is if you don't tighten them down enough. Every arrow I have ever shot, left/right offset or helical will unscrew the points if you don't take the time to make them more than finger tight. For target points I use a pair of channel locks to get that last bit of torque on the tips, for BHs, use a BH wrench. This is the ONLY way they will stay tight.

If you think about it, your arrow only makes 4-5 revoloutins on its way to a target 20 yards away. After the shot, it spins up slowly, thus the only time the tip loosens is during impact with the target.....and then only a little bit (normally < 1/8 of a turn). Put a dab of string wax on the threads of your points and things will stay tight much better (even if you only finger tighten them)

If yoiu are shooting a mech head, you will find that many of them will actually perform better shooting a left helical because of where the pressure point is for the blade on the ferrule, although this is only marginally better.

There is no correct answer with respect to what direction you spin your arrows.

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

The most important thing in regard to helical fletching direction is to make sure the clamp you are using matches the feather's wing: LH for Left wing feathers, RH for right wing feathers. For vanes it doesn't matter with the exception of NAP Quickspins and they recommend straight offset over helical, but mine are fletched RH and work great (with the exception of the durability issue).

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

Another thing I have thought about, is shooting though the whisker bisquit. I dont think the helicals would work. Correct me if Im wrong.I use a slight off set on my feathers and I use a biscuit.It works fine. As long as my arrow flies true, with no fishtailing.I sticking with the slight offset. If I was using a fallaway rest I might try the helical fletching. I dont like dropaway rests however. When the moment of truth comes, I dont want to worry about my arrow on the rest,when Im concentrating on a buck deer under my tree.

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

With a T-4 turbonock your arrow spins like a turbine. If you fletch them with a left helical/offset broadheads will come unscrewed in flight. You won't notice the effect until you go to pull a broadhead from a target. With a regular nock the broadhead comes straight out, the t-4's make a spiral cut, you can't pull the arrow straight out.
Yeah BobCo19-65 those are some wicked heads !

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

OK...I am going to get my own fletching jig and I am thinking about getting the Arizona EZ fletch with a right 6 degree helical. Can I use this on blazer vanes? I don't know just enough about fletching my own arrows to get me in trouble, so I would like to know if the EZ fletch will do the job on such a small vane...

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

I have no experience with the ez fletch but it should work . I like an open design like the Bitz or JoJan. That way you can wipe off any excess glue before it dries.

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

The best way to get off excess glue is to do it before you put the fletch on the shaft.

Take your bottle and squirt a bead along the base of the fletch while it is in the clamp.
Then take the clamp and dab the base of the fletch on a paper towel. This will spread the glue out evenly and remove all of the excess. When you put the fletch on the shaft, you get just a tiny bead that oozes out from under the base and ensures good adhesion.

RE: Fletching: Offset vs. Helical
 

98'S got a good tip, I will also put just a dot on the front of the vane after it dries. just me.