Helical or Straight Fletch
 

I am going to start fletching my own arrows, but was wondering whether I should fletch straight with a 1-2 degree offset, or if I should fletch helical? If helical, which direction, left or right. I currently have a fall away rest (QT 4000) so I don't think vane clearance would be an issue if helical. But wanted to open it up to find out what the advantages and disadvantages are of each.

Thanks.

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

Right helical.
Tightens you point instead of loosens them.
Adds some spin satability to arrow during flight.
:)

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

my vote goes to right helical, tightening plus stabilization.

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

Helical will give you more spin than off set. I would go with right wing fletch It tightens your broadheads and right wing feathers are easier to find than left wing.

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

I think we all think alike!!!

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

This is really a regional thing..In the south RW is quite poular..up here in the abyss..er..New England... Left wing is much easier to find at the shops..very few carry RW...We have every color gateway makes I think in LW at my local shop, but about 4 colors in RW for those who want RW..most shops don't even carry a few colors of RW. And even with vanes everyone fletches LW it seems.

As to the original question..Helical..regardless of wing...just make sure if you are using feathers to get RW clamps for RW feathers and LW clamps for LW feathers

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

I agree with right wing fletch on about 11 deg

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

Okay, so it sounds like there is a consensus that right helical is best. So I have one more question. After looking at cabelas, it looks like they offer feathers in a right wing configuration, but I don't see anything for vanes. Can vanes be fletched helically, or is helical fletching limited to feathers?

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

Vanes can be fletched in any configuration that you wish. There is no right of left wing for vanes.

Feathers are called right and left wing due to the way that they are cut. They will bend around the arrow shaft in one direction only. Next time you are at your pro shop look at a right and left wing feather side by side. Notice the quill of the feather and the side that it is cut. On a right wing feather the quill will be on the left side of the feather (looking from back to front) and opposite for a left wing feather.

I also agree with the rest. I like right wing helical with feathers. But it is a complete personal preference with a compound bow. It does make a difference when shooting a recurve or long bow off the shelf.

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

Wait a minute, Jeff -

You're telling us that the South tends to be Right Wing, whereas New England tends to be Left Wing? Really!? :D

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

No doubt!

Just a tincy bit of irony there huh. LOL.:D

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

I don't know whether to or[:'(] at that brutally truthful statement

There's a few Yankees with some common sense up here, but they are definitely outnumbered ;):D

sigh..now I'm homesick :(

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

I like helical for sure, but right helical is best for me. I have very little clearance between my buss cable and string coming of the cable guard. A right helical moves the back of my feathers up and away from the cable and string wereas a left helical moves the back of the feathers down and towards the cable and string.....just something to consider if you have minimal clearance.

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

If you are going with vanes, I would suggest the straight offset. I you are using feathers, then either a right or left helical.

Putting a helical on vanes is not an easy task.

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

Can you elaborate? I don't have any problems fletching vanes or feathers with heavy or slight helicals....just curious.

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

Not in my shop:D - but then I usually do things A[:-][:-] backwards.

I carry a few LW for the old recurve guys.

I like RW - a little offset is usually fine

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

You are one of the few then..

er..that carries RW feathers...

plenty of dealers do things A$$-Backwards...;)

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

I've heard that a helical setup will cost you some speed, but I have no ida how much.

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

It seems to me that it was 1 -3 fps for spped loss but i could be wrong

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

I like RW helical .

nubo

RE: Helical or Straight Fletch
 

i am also looking into starting to reflech some arrows and had a question about weather vains or fethers are better and if there is one that shoot better or worse through a wisker bisket.