Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: Ryan Jacob on May 30, 2018, 04:11:20 am
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So right now, I’m using masking tape as a fletching. It works pretty good, but, it looks absolutely terrible. I can and will get feathers soon since my friend owns turkeys and is planning to eat one. In the mean time, will something like coconut leaves work? Or do you guys have any other ideas?
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Palm and other plant leaves are used in some countries for fletching. I've seen primitive arrows with pine needles used as fletching.
Fletching is used steer and stabilize the arrow so many things can be used.
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leaves would be probably a one shot solution as the will rip easily
maybe you could make a flu flu kinda with coconut fibers
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Rawhide can be used also
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You can get (50) 5" AMG solid color feathers for $20.
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A little yarn wrap works good. Also you can go withput fletching.
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Where do you live?
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I had some luck making a flu flu with deer hair (tail). If you have somewhere that stocks fly fishing stuff you should be able to get some. Any other kind of strong fiber would probably work too.
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I live in tphe Philippines. I have tried messing with rawhide before and have no idea how to do it. Not sure exactly how to make a plant fiber flu flu. I have no idea where to find deer hide or deer in general here. Pine is a no go, I dont have access to one. Also, PD, I’m a cheapskate >:D
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I was going to send you a gob of turkey feathers, but not to the Philippines.
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Are you close to the beach? You should be able to find a few feathers there. They don't have to be in great shape. As long as they stick up and catch the wind a bit.
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Pearly
It’s fine :)
DC
I’ve tried and no such luck ???
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I know there are chickens over there. Try that.
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The basics are: Wrap some artificial sinew onto the shaft ~5" from the nock until it's secure. Then hold a clump of hair (or whatever you end up using) at a 45 degree angle across the shaft. Continue to wrap the sinew over the hair onto the shaft, starting very gently and increasing in tension after a couple of times. As you start to pull more you should find that the hair splays out and twists around the shaft. Once you're happy with how it looks pull the sinew through the hair and wrap it a few times and secure. If you google "fly tying spinning deer hair" there's lots of sites that show you the idea. You could probably buy some deer hair online, but I'd think you could find something to use locally for free. If you don't have artificial sinew any other strong cord should work, you might want to wax it though to help the fibers stick/slide.
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TrevorM
Well I DO need a haircut :o
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LOL that'd make them ultra personalized I guess ;D
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I live in tphe Philippines. I have tried messing with rawhide before and have no idea how to do it. Not sure exactly how to make a plant fiber flu flu. I have no idea where to find deer hide or deer in general here. Pine is a no go, I dont have access to one. Also, PD, I’m a cheapskate >:D
I myself have yet to use rawhide as a fletching, so I am certainly no expert. But here is a photo of some Turkish flight arrows from the Grayson collection. They are dated back to the late 18th century, and it describes the left two arrows as being parchment fletchings (thin goat hide) glued onto the shaft with hide glue.
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AaronH
Very, very interesting... so only glue holds them on?
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I think a small groove would be prudent. Then glue them in. I've always wondered(been afraid of) why they don't slice your hand open.But I guess arrow bend takes care of that. Still gives me the willies when I think of flight archers using razor blades for fletching. :o :o
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Anything that can apply a brake to the rear end of the arrow will work. Obviously feathers imparting a spin also are superior. Native arrows that had curled up shavings have been found to work as fletching of sorts. The rear end needs a break to stay straight and not try and pass the front cause it to tumble to curve off course.
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I've seen Cambodian and Vietnamese arrows fletched with bamboo.
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Mullet
I’m a bit to scared to try that ;D have you seen how sharp split bamboo gets?