[Ansteorra-archery] fletching

[Rumil Fletcher]

I agree with Gilli that it does not matter much.  I have made _lots_ 
of period arrows with various fletching arrangements; straight, 
helical,different lengths, shapes, etc.  They all shoot at roughly 
the same accuracy.

The straight fletched arrows will tend to shoot very slightly faster 
(and therefore flatter), while the helical arrows will lose a small 
amount of their speed to the spin induced by the helical fletching.

But at the same time, the helical fletching induced spin will help 
the arrows fly a bit more consistent, especially in a strong cross 
breeze.  If the arrow is spinning, it's centrificul inertia tends to 
keep the tail end of the arrow from being affected by a cross wind 
quite so much, while the tail end of a straight fletched arrow can be 
affected by a cross wind much more.  This is important because if the 
tail end of the arrow is pushed sideways by the wind, it loses energy 
when it straightens out, which will cause it to hit the target a bit 
lower than it would have.  The helical arrow, on the other hand, is 
more likely to have the entire arrow pushed sideways in a cross 
breeze, making it hit to the side instead of lower.

Note that I am talking about very small variations.  For most people, 
it does not matter much.

I would say that if you have a light weight bow that struggles to hit 
the 40 yard target, use straight fletching to get that last little 
bit of distance you can.  But if you have a powerful bow, the loss of 
speed from the spinning helical arrows is something you can easily 
afford while helping to even out some of the inconsistencies of 
wooden arrows and deal better with cross winds.  But really, most 
people would never notice the difference.

By the way, I have never seen any documentation to indicate that 
helical fletching is period.  As near as I can tell, all arrows were 
straight fletched in period.  I am also not convinced that the twist 
one way or another has that much effect on flight.  The wind tends to 
straighten and flatten the fletchings.

Rumil Fletcher





>Indeed there is even more things to concider, such as accuracy.  Plus, the
>size of the fletch, weight of the point, draw of the bow, etc.
>
>I'm not too sure that all really matters much.  Here's why I say that.  If
>you know your equipment, it won't matter.   If you know that with your given
>set of factors, when aiming at the gold at 20 yds your shot group is  three
>inches low and two inches to the right, then you can compensate by changing
>your aimpoint.
>
>Notice I mentioned shot group, that's important.  If all your arrows are in
>a nice tight little grouping, then all you have to do is change your aim
>point or possibly move your leading foot over some.  In you have a good
>group but for one arrow, check that one arrow. It may have a problem. If
>you're all over the place, then go back to basics.  Proper/comfortable
>stance, same ancker point all the time, bow arm in the proper position,
>don't pluck the string, proper breathing and don't hold a draw too long.
>
>And PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.  Archery is a perishable skill.  Use it or
>lose it, and start at some point less than you were.
>
>Gilli
>Shoot more arrows.  You're bound to hit something.
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Talan" <Talan at hotpop.com>
>To: "Archery within the Kingdom of Ansteorra"
><ansteorra-archery at ansteorra.org>
>Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 2:31 AM
>Subject: Re: [Ansteorra-archery] fletching
>
>
>>  Thanks a lot for the quick reply, the info and that site has helped a
>>  lot :P.
>>
>>  One more thing i just thought of, and seems to be a big area of debate,
>>  so ill ask the master ;).
>>
>>  Some say a helical flys straighter and faster, others say no helical
>>  (straight fletch) flys straighter and faster.
>>
>>  What you recomend? (before i get my fletching jig :P )
>>
>>  Thanks so much.
>>  --
>>  Talan - Talan at hotpop.com
>>  Kingdom of Ansteorra.
>>  Shire of Stone Bridge Keep.
>>
>>
>>  _______________________________________________
>  > Ansteorra-archery mailing list
>>  Ansteorra-archery at ansteorra.org
>>  http://www.ansteorra.org/mailman/listinfo/ansteorra-archery
>
>_______________________________________________
>Ansteorra-archery mailing list
>Ansteorra-archery at ansteorra.org
>http://www.ansteorra.org/mailman/listinfo/ansteorra-archery