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Regarding the "off" side of the feather...?

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NorthHeart:
Hey guys there is a question ive had for a while and cant really seem to find a definitive answer.  Im aware that the most important thing is that you match all your right wing or left wing feathers on the same arrow.  But what about the other side of the feather or the "off" side as i call it.  In particular, when you take the primary or secondary feather of a turkey and split it, you have left over a very long and somewhat thin feather on the other side.  The shape is a bit odd yes(thicker at the front and tapers toward the rear), but I got to thinking...can you just match these up and fletch an arrow and expect decent flight.  Has anyone tried this and how did it go?

jeffp51:
For primaries, it seems like only one side is usable--the other is too thin.  for secondaries, I think you can use both sides, as both sides are about equal in size.  keep in mind that a feather has curve in three dimensions, so for any given arrow, all the fletches have to match.  That is, if you decide to use the "off side" of a left wing secondary feather, then all three fletches should be "off side" secondaries from the left wing.  Then mount them on the shaft so that the feathers create a rotational force on your arrow so it will spin. I have used both sides, but I am not a great shot, so it is hard for me to say if an arrow shoots bad because of a fletch, or because I have a horrible release.  Someone else with more experience can perhaps chime in.

Pat B:
Both sides of the feather can be used if big enough. One thing to remember the off side is opposite the primary side so don't mix them either.

Del the cat:
Yes... its fine, I've used the "low side" for flight arrow fletchings.
As long as all 3 feathers are matched it's fine...
I've even put 'em on backwards ;)... just kidding ::)
Del

JW_Halverson:
I famously saved a bunch of turkey secondaries and fletched up an entire dozen arrows with left wing "off sides" with a left wing EZ-Fletch jig.  And they flew fine. 

Someone pointed out to me the fletching looked slightly different and when he looked closer he was able to point out what I had done. He could not see any odd characteristics in flight and since he has more experience than me, I trusted his judgement.

On the other hand, as crappy as I shoot, I am not sure it matters.

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