Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: coyote pup on February 20, 2009, 03:19:01 pm
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I've noticed the 2-fletched arrows are somewhat popular. But I wonder, is there any practical reason to put 2 feathers on instead of 3? What would you use a 2-fletch for that you wouldn't use a 3-fletch for?
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One less feather! ;D
The two fletch is a Native American(maybe world wide) style of fletching. All the feathers are for on an arrow is steering and straightening out the arrow after it leaves the bow.
There are many styles of fletching. I like trying different style to see how they work. The 2 fletch worked well enough for me that I made all of my hunting arrows last season with either a Cherokee style 2 fletch or a hybrid style 2 fletch. Pat
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I've used 2 fletch with rivercane and tonkin bamboo with good results. It's easy to do and doesn't require a fletching jig. You also get to utilize tail feathers and secondaries. My limited reading is that the Cherokee and Seminoles used it successfully.
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What they said-takes less feathers, works good, is a correct local historical style for many areas, and is usually a quicker and easier method of fletching. You could also ask, why not? Why eat only chicken when there are other meats out there? Is there any practical reason to put three feathers on instead of two? What would you use a three-fletch for that you wouldn't use a two-fletch for? :) I use both styles (and more) and like them all.
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Cool. Thanks for the responses guys. So I guess there really is no reason to do it or not to do it. It would make sense, making more efficient use of your feathers. fletch 10 arrows with 20 feathers instead of 30. I like it. And I gather that it works just as well as a 3 fletch, so I agree-why not.
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Pat, I'd love to see pictures of you Cherokee and hybrid 2-fletched arrows. :)
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You guys need to check out the "Best Arrow Set" posts in the ARROWS area and check out Pat's arrows.
(dang!....I guess people miss the most obvious things.....)
(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/jackcrafty/hmmmm.jpg)
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I saw some somewhere that looked interesting. They split the cane, cut the quill off the feather and cut it to about 6 inches long and slid it into the cane and wrapped it front and back. I may have to try a few of them.
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The question might ought to be, " why Three fletch instead of Two?" I imagine Three fletch came from Europe.
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Madcrow, this arrow was done like you described. It flies pretty good too.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/Nativefourfletch002.jpg)
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...and here is another 3 fletch type that uses feathers most folks don't think about...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/tangential3fletch006.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/tangential3fletch007.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/tangential3fletch008.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/tangential3fletch009.jpg)
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Pat, I like those three-feather radial fetches, too-and they work great with even small, flimsy feathers. I find myself using Eastern Woodlands fletching styles more all the time.
[attachment deleted by admin]
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I love those arrows, Hillbilly. Thanks for posting. They answered a few questions I had.
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mine dont get as delicate as these seasoned guys are. i dont have the patience i just cut em and tie em on like you would 3 fletchings. flies pretty well and staright
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I believe 3 fletch came about,as a result of folks gettin caught in a down pour.They still had enough layed down fletch with 3,or if they lost a fletch,they still had enough to keep em flyin.I use a 2 fletch,and group em with my 3 fletch,even with broadheads.I believe,that the key to sucessfull 2 fletch,is to have well tuned arrows.The big 3 fletch can cover up or improve untuned arrows,especially with broadheds.You get an arrow properly tuned n you dont need the whole bird on the end of an erra to get it to fly straight.
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By the way,My 2 fletch arrows,i use a 4" feather.
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A point of clarification for me....when you 2 fletch, you strap on the nock end first, with the feather pointed the wrong way, then flip it towards the point and attach the leading end (quill end)?
Right? If so, why is this attachment method necessary? Does it impart a particular shape to the feather?
Sorry, just new to this and I wasn't able to clearly see the methodoloy in the photos.
D
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The method you described is only one method. Done like this you can pull the forward end tight so the feather lays flat to the shaft and the folded end will secure the feathers so they don't slip. Then you finish the forward wrap to secure the feathers. I sometimes attach the forward end first(without folding) and pull from the rear.
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In my experience, two fletch arrows act funny in a cross wind....unless they are done in the NA style (like the ones posted). Three fletches give more consistant flight.....and you can make 'em pretty short (in length or height) and still provide plenty of steering. Also, you need to be extra careful when you do a two-fletch so it doesn't look funny. Three fletches are more forgiving.
To answer your question, I think the best reasons for two fletch are that it's faster to fletch and uses less material.
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Actually,
Gordy Mickens and Jim Neaves,have done extensive studies on the effect of crosswind,on 2 fletched arrows.They concluded,that the 2 fletch drifted less than the 3 fletch.Like Jim says,about his setup.I only have a 25" draw,so i cant afford to give up any performance in my setup.He has used 2 fletch exclusively for the last few yrs,for all his big game kills.I cant count how many times,i have had people look sideways at my arrows.Even had em tell me,they wouldnt fly worth a damn.Gotta love that,when they have never seen em fly.I generally leave em standin there,with their jaw dropped n speachless.LOL
We're not talkin bout a Native style 2 fletch here,but 2 parabolic feathers .One on each side.Off set,with minimal helix.
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Hmmmm...why would someone do extensive studies on the effects of crosswind on two fletched arrows? Perhaps the same reason someone does extensive studies on watching people's jaws drop?
Sorry, couldn't resist. ;D
I used to make two fletch kid's arrows....until the kids got bored with the arrows that "make me miss the target". That's extensive enough for me. ;)
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These are 3 of my 6 hunting arrows from this past season. Two of these are a modified Cherokee 2 fletch and the third is a 2 fletch with my burn pattern feathers. I put a 180deg twist in the 2 fletch when tied on.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/forPA010-2.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/forPA011-2.jpg)
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Hmmmm...why would someone do extensive studies on the effects of crosswind on two fletched arrows?
Maybe to document the facts,cause they got sick of people tellin em,they wouldnt work,even though the proof was right in front of em.
;D,Sorry,couldnt resist.
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I think like Traxx said if your arrows are well tuned to your bow then fletching becomes less critical.
I also have a a 25" draw and I'm interested in getting better performance so it makes sense to minimize drag
on the arrow by reducing the amount of fletching, whether you use 2 or 3 fletch.
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If you look at an arrow, point on, you can see the amount of wind resistance your fletchng has. I'd bet some of the 2 fletch will have as much or more drag(wind resistance) as a 3 fletch, especially if you added helical to the 2fletch.
Like with fluflus, some folks thing 6 full width feathers as a fluflu will slow an arrow better than a single feather spiraled around the shaft. Sight down the two twpes of fluflus and see which one would have more wind resistence. The spiral fluflu covers the entire space around the shaft where as the 6 straight fletched fluflu has 6 blank spaces for the air to flow.
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Patrick, I've never seen much difference in accuracy myself. I use both styles and like them both, but don't feel that one will "make you miss the target" more than the other one if equal care is used in fletching them and the shafts are good. I think the bad rap that two-fletched arrows get sometimes is because someone just stuck two feathers on a second-rate arrowshaft and it didn't fly right. If you just stick three feathers on your arrows without rhyme or reason, they will flit around like drunken bats, too. Most of the Eastern tribes used this style of fletching, and their lives depended on how their arrows flew. And yes, they knew how to do the typical three-fletch, there were tribes all around them using it, and it shows up occasionally in the two-fletch tribes.
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hillbilly, you're arrows are absolutely beautiful. you continue to be an inspiration. thanks