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two fletch question

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TimBo:
For those of you who make two fletch arrows, do you fold over a bit of the feather on the nock end (starting the feather backwards), or just wrap both ends like three fletch?  I have always done the latter, but decided to try folding it over for one yesterday.  It did seem very secure, but getting the sinew worked around everything was driving me crazy...I ended up just redoing it the way I usually do.  If you like the foldover style, I would love to hear about your process.  I'm sure there is some smart/efficient way to do it that I am overlooking.  I am also wondering if there is any advantage to folding the feather over. 

TimBo:
Actually I just thought to look up the JackCrafty buildalong on Eastern two-fletch, and he does the foldover.  He coats the shaft with glue first...ah ha!  That would make it way easier to deal with.  My last question still stands though - can anyone think of an advantage to the foldover?  It leaves the end of the shaft between the fletching and nock clean, but I wrap that anyway for safety.

Hawkdancer:
Haven't tried the fold over yet!  I just wrap the ends as smooth as I can, also try to have a smooth taper before wrapping.
Hawkdancer

Buck67:
I normally do the 2 fletch with foldover when I'm replicating Native American designs.  I do them with sinew and hot hide glue.  It takes some practice but it's not all that difficult.  The trick is to wrap the string once or twice so it holds good before fastening the first feather.

The advantage in the fold over system is that you don't need expensive jigs to hold the feathers in place while the glue dries.

BTW, I do a lot of 2-fletch using fletching tape that I get from 3-Rivers.  It is a 1/16" wide double sided tape, just put the tape on the feather and then stick the feather to the shaft.  Again big advantage is that you don't need expensive jigs.

TimBo:
I never thought of using fletching tape on two fletch for some reason, but that would make things easier.  When I do two fletch, I figure out where the front of the feather will lie - usually top and bottom of the shaft - wrap with sinew, and let it dry before messing with the back.  I leave the feather/spine long on the back so I can adjust the feathers after wrapping, but before the sinew dries.  I will try using some hide glue next time I try the foldover.  Thanks!

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