fletching bites hand

[swamp monkey]

I shoot longbow.  I have an arrow with a feather that cuts my hand where the arrow passes.  It looks like each feather is seated well.  Feathers were cut with a chopper and it looks like that leading edge is little rough but not much.  Should I sand that quill on the shaft, take the feathers off and sand, or use thread to wrap over that?  Any one out there deal with this successfully?

[Pat B]

I put a thread wrap on the front end of the fletching of every arrow I make. This has helped considerably. I also started using a floppy rest on my bows and that small piece of leather has really helped to protect my hand.

[Trapper Rob]

I wrap mine they don't cut in to my hand then.

[Stringman]

When I glue down my feathers I will take a sharp knife and trim the front edge to make sure the quill has a smooth transition to the shaft. Then I will take a small dab of glue and cover the point of the quill. When this dries it creates a small bubble that is smooth and won't catch your skin. Thread wraps are another good fix for this, but the glue trick has become a quick easy fix to save my hands.

[Brock]

you can cut down the leading edge some....add a dab of glue on the leading edge to keep it from catching on your hand or anything else while also securing it more....and you can get or make a bowhand leather shooting glove that is made specifically.  I really only see them in warbow shoots but really a partial glove with the leather covering thumb, forefinger and web area of bow hand.

[swamp monkey]

you guys are awesome!  thanks for the tips.  I have a weekend to play with this.  I am stoked.

Enjoy your weekend!

[bubby]

I wrap the front of mine with thread, also try raising your nocking point just a hair

[Ifrit617]

I wrap the front of mine with thread, also try raising your nocking point just a hair

+1

A slightly higher nocking point will take care of it...

Jon

[JW_Halverson]

Along with all those other great ideas, when you are getting ready to glue on the fletchings take a little time and sand the front of the fletching down from underneath.  That helps make a very gradual transition from shaft to fletching.

[crooketarrow]

  Back when I shot off my nuckle I used a leather grove. I just saw yesterday on my new 3 river catalog on the second page. Called a HAWKWOOD BOW GLOVE. VELCRO AROUND WRIST GO'S OVER HALF FIRST FINGER AND THUMB LEATHER NUCKLE COVER. Never owned one But looks really good. Gets cold here a glove work the same. Check it out.

[BillBow]

I am just finishing a set of arrows that will not bite, I have set the leading edge of each fletching down into the shaft ( about 0.5 mm tapering to zero at 70mm) and they are Real Smoothies.

[osage outlaw]

I put a thread wrap on the front end of the fletching of every arrow I make. This has helped considerably. I also started using a floppy rest on my bows and that small piece of leather has really helped to protect my hand.

I do the exact same thing as the great bearded one   

[Outbackbob48]

I strip my feathers , there is no quill to bite ya, just a thin skin glued to the shaft, It works for me an seems to hold up just as good as a quill, an it's alot faster than grinding. Bob

[Pappy]

I trim mine and then take a round screw driver and roll it,down flat,then a dob of glue or like others said thread wrap it,or both,can't stand that bite.
   Pappy

[JeremiahVires]

I sand the edges down and wrap it with some thin string (I use separated hemp cord from wally world).  They are very attractive and don't cut the hand.