Alternative Fletching Materials

[TrevorM]

LOL that'd make them ultra personalized I guess 

[Aaron H]

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

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.

[Ryan Jacob]

AaronH
Very, very interesting... so only glue holds them on?

[DC]

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.

[archeryrob]

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.

[mullet]

I've seen Cambodian and Vietnamese arrows fletched with bamboo.

[Ryan Jacob]

Mullet
I’m a bit to scared to try that have you seen how sharp split bamboo gets?