Vanes or Feathers? -

Bear1990 · 07-15-2010, 07:37 AM

I've had many people tell me that vanes are better than feathers and vice versa. I'm not quite sure which is the best or maybe it's just a preference thing. I don't know, can someone shed some light on this?

licking county assassin · 07-15-2010, 10:01 PM

It is realy personal preferance IMHO... the only downfall to feathers is water but if you spray them with silicone problem solved.

Bear1990 · 07-20-2010, 10:26 AM

Thanks

Arrowds · 07-20-2010, 07:14 PM

science has proven feather superior in all aspects of performance with three exceptions.
One...water logged such as noted above...however, also noted above...problem solved.
Two...cost. Feathers are simply more expensive than pieces of molded plastic.
Three...high volume fletching manufacturing convenience. Plastic having more defined and repetitious features allow high volume, automated machine fletching....just not happening with feathers. So...convenience to consumers is enhanced due to profits being better to promote such convenience.

The final process of elimination for me to choose feathers more often than plastic when hunting....plastic is rigid...and thus is much, much harder to get thru an animals body than feathers. This adds a component of deflection and drag which both contribute to decreasing momentum. Feathers on the other hand simply and very easily lay down with hardly any wasted energy moving forward or rotational, thus they don't cause deflection of the path of the arrow....this simply amplifies the opportunity to obtain a complete pass thru...and ultimately..that is what I am always aiming to achieve.

T-MAC · 07-23-2010, 01:13 PM

I'm a feathers guy due to the fact that my longbow has no rest, and I just like the feathers look and feel.

wyetterp · 07-30-2010, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arrowds

science has proven feather superior in all aspects of performance with three exceptions.

I have to agree to disagree w/that statement. I will agree w/you on passing through a game, but superior in all aspects.? Can't agree there. Feathers are still an excellent choice for both the target and hunting archer, although there are better performing alternatives now.

Fletching Review: speed, drop, ease of use and more | Archery Report: reviews, news and views

Ironically I just posted the same link on another fletching thread, but it seems fitting here as well.

Dr Love · 07-30-2010, 11:57 PM

started with veins, went to feathers just to try em. shot fine but i was eat'n em up way to fast. Went to blazers, then predator veins, and i just fletched up fusions yesterday. I guess im a little vein guy eh?

Bear1990 · 07-31-2010, 10:34 AM

Good points arrowds. The science makes a lot of sense. I've been telling my friends this for some time but they don't want to believe me. Thanks

richa3md · 08-01-2010, 01:07 AM

wow that's awesome

Red Feather Archery · 08-01-2010, 09:26 AM

I shoot both. My longbows and recurves are feathers only and my compound will shoot both. I like to process my own feathers from turkeys I've shot. Adds a little something to an arrow when it's fletched up with a bird you shot yourself.

Where I hunt in Western Oregon it is awfully nice to have vanes when it's raining. Silicone spray or no if you hunt all day in the rain the feathers will lay down. Might be different in a treestand, but on the ground going through wet brush they lay down.

wyetterp · 08-01-2010, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear1990

Good points arrowds. The science makes a lot of sense. I've been telling my friends this for some time but they don't want to believe me. Thanks

Just curious what science you guys are talking about? All the science & evaluations prove other wise.

I'm always open minding & would love to learn something new.

Okie101 · 08-02-2010, 05:42 AM

Had really good luck with blazer vanes....love em...

Dr Love · 08-02-2010, 10:04 AM

Awesome article. Glad to see some good feedback on Fusions also.

Bear1990 · 08-03-2010, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyetterp

Just curious what science you guys are talking about? All the science & evaluations prove other wise.

I'm always open minding & would love to learn something new.

If you have some science that proves otherwise I would like to know about it. Please evaluate.

jsun713 · 08-04-2010, 08:13 AM

i've shot both and prefer vanes - much cheaper!

07-15-2010, 07:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bear1990 85gr Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 49	Vanes or Feathers? I've had many people tell me that vanes are better than feathers and vice versa. I'm not quite sure which is the best or maybe it's just a preference thing. I don't know, can someone shed some light on this?

07-15-2010, 10:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
licking county assassin 100gr Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 132	It is realy personal preferance IMHO... the only downfall to feathers is water but if you spray them with silicone problem solved. __________________ ATHENS FACTORY STAFF SHOOTER...ENGINEERED TO KILLPROSTRING STAFF..QUALITY STRINGS AT REASONABLE PRICES

07-30-2010, 11:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dr Love 100gr Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Derkastan, MO. Posts: 123	started with veins, went to feathers just to try em. shot fine but i was eat'n em up way to fast. Went to blazers, then predator veins, and i just fletched up fusions yesterday. I guess im a little vein guy eh? __________________ -Judgement Day Pro Staff- --Dr. Love--Breaking hearts one doe at a time--

08-02-2010, 10:04 AM	#13 (permalink)
Dr Love 100gr Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Derkastan, MO. Posts: 123	Awesome article. Glad to see some good feedback on Fusions also. __________________ -Judgement Day Pro Staff- --Dr. Love--Breaking hearts one doe at a time--

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07-20-2010, 10:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
Bear1990 85gr Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 49	Thanks

07-20-2010, 07:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
Arrowds Broadhead Maker Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 117	science has proven feather superior in all aspects of performance with three exceptions. One...water logged such as noted above...however, also noted above...problem solved. Two...cost. Feathers are simply more expensive than pieces of molded plastic. Three...high volume fletching manufacturing convenience. Plastic having more defined and repetitious features allow high volume, automated machine fletching....just not happening with feathers. So...convenience to consumers is enhanced due to profits being better to promote such convenience. The final process of elimination for me to choose feathers more often than plastic when hunting....plastic is rigid...and thus is much, much harder to get thru an animals body than feathers. This adds a component of deflection and drag which both contribute to decreasing momentum. Feathers on the other hand simply and very easily lay down with hardly any wasted energy moving forward or rotational, thus they don't cause deflection of the path of the arrow....this simply amplifies the opportunity to obtain a complete pass thru...and ultimately..that is what I am always aiming to achieve.

07-23-2010, 01:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
T-MAC 85gr Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Northeast Oklahoma Posts: 38	I'm a feathers guy due to the fact that my longbow has no rest, and I just like the feathers look and feel.

07-31-2010, 10:34 AM	#8 (permalink)
Bear1990 85gr Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 49	Good points arrowds. The science makes a lot of sense. I've been telling my friends this for some time but they don't want to believe me. Thanks

08-01-2010, 01:07 AM	#9 (permalink)
richa3md 125gr Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Mid Michigan Posts: 344	wow that's awesome

08-01-2010, 09:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
Red Feather Archery Broadhead Maker Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 441	I shoot both. My longbows and recurves are feathers only and my compound will shoot both. I like to process my own feathers from turkeys I've shot. Adds a little something to an arrow when it's fletched up with a bird you shot yourself. Where I hunt in Western Oregon it is awfully nice to have vanes when it's raining. Silicone spray or no if you hunt all day in the rain the feathers will lay down. Might be different in a treestand, but on the ground going through wet brush they lay down.

08-02-2010, 05:42 AM	#12 (permalink)
Okie101 Broadhead Tester Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Shooting my Athens Bow in Oklahoma Posts: 770	Had really good luck with blazer vanes....love em...

08-04-2010, 08:13 AM	#15 (permalink)
jsun713 Trial Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 11	i've shot both and prefer vanes - much cheaper!