Reply To: VANES or FEATHERS ??

[Konrad]

#15521

For the record, I use a modern (Bear, ‘07 Truth) compound bow but am converting to ammunition in the Ashby style, hence my presence here.

I currently use the Blazer vane; however, they are quite rigid but work well with a drop away or shoot through rest. I would be hesitant to shoot them from a traditional shelf be it flat or with a radius. I also own a Kodiak Magnum.

Testing has shown a high profile (the Blazer is .6 of an inch tall), short (2 inches) vane steers a fixed blade as well as or better than 4 or 5 inch plastic vanes or natural feathers with less drag. My Magnus Stinger, 2 bladed broadheads are very accurate (same point of impact as my field tips) at 240 fps. My shafts are Easton 2413 alloys with a total weight of 480 grains.

Beyond 40 yards, the feathered shaft looses speed faster than the Blazer but we aren’t shooting at game that far are we?

All that being said, my wife says my Blazer equipped arrows “sound like rockets” when they go by. Don’t get me to explain how she can hear them without being in danger (she’s really fast!).

In the pursuit of a higher level of FOC, my next fletching will be Gateway Feathers’ Rayzr. They only weigh 1.5 grains each as compared to the 5 grains each of the Blazers. They are almost as tall at .5 inches and are the same basic length of 2 inches. Hopefully, I will also gain a more quiet flight as they advertise “Whisper Quiet Technology”. They supposedly cut the fletching from a specific part of the feather to enhance quietness. Don’t get me started on advertising baloney. We’ll see.

Oh, and for the fellow who suggested using one feather and two plastics…uneven weight distribution around the shaft will undoubtedly produce a nice spiral.
In the past I shot shot allot in the rain and can find no reason to believe plastic is a better option.