A fletching is used to stabilise the arrow.
There is no golden rule about what size fletching to use. Generally speaking, the smaller the arrow the smaller the fletching, and vice-versa.
The more finely tuned the bow, the less work the fletching needs to do to straighten the arrow. In fact, a super tuned bow can shoot an arrow without any fletchings surprisingly well.
The type of bow you use also makes a difference. For example, a compound archer using a release aid can use smaller fletchings as the arrow is launched with less flex and requires less correction. But archers with a finger loose generate more arrow flex and can benefit from larger fletchings helping to stabilise the flight more quickly.
By default we offer 3 options. (Other options are available, such as Spin Vanes and arrow wraps. Please contact our customer service team if for a bespoke quotation)
1) Bare Arrows. No fletchings are supplied or fitted.
2) Plastic Vanes. By far, the most popular type of fletching. Durable, easy to glue and low maintenance.
3) Feathers. Very forgiving and stabilise the arrow very quickly. They have a built in natural spin when fletched straight, or are commonly fletched with a helical to increase spin and maximise arrow stability.
They are often used on traditional bows that are shot from the shelf or hand, as feathers do not deflect in the same way as a plastic vane, but simply brush past.
Although they are sold as ‘left wing’ and ‘right wing’, this does not reflect the hand of the archer. It is the wing of the bird, not the handedness of the archer.
