Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: Prarie Bowyer on June 15, 2012, 03:25:52 am

Title: Using the "other side".
Post by: Prarie Bowyer on June 15, 2012, 03:25:52 am
So I spent some time hammering, splitting, grinding, and trimming feathers today.  Then I look at the "trash pile" and think, why can't one use the other side of the quill in cases where it's tall enough.  So I figured I'd try it.  I haven't shot the arrow yet but so far I love the look and the idea of it.  NO trimming to do other than for the tie down tabs.  Low profile long fletching should be stable and fast.  Mostly they are fast and look super primitive !
 Pics later.
Title: Re: Using the "other side".
Post by: bobnewboy on June 15, 2012, 05:49:35 am
A picture is worth a thousand words!
Title: Re: Using the "other side".
Post by: Scowler on June 15, 2012, 09:03:53 am
I would think that, if the "undersides" are all from the same side (left wing or right wing), they would work well.  But there is only one way to find out.  Keep us posted.
Title: Re: Using the "other side".
Post by: Pat B on June 15, 2012, 05:48:39 pm
They should work just fine. Just remember that each feather has a left side and a right side so keep them seperate.
Title: Re: Using the "other side".
Post by: crooketarrow on June 16, 2012, 10:58:20 am
  I gotten hard up and used them before. They worked fine and your right they do look more primitive.
Title: Re: Using the "other side".
Post by: Prarie Bowyer on June 16, 2012, 03:33:55 pm
It works.  Didn't get pics cause I decorated the woods with them at the 3-d today.
Title: Re: Using the "other side".
Post by: JMcCauley on August 22, 2012, 01:09:03 am
I always use the other side. It is more efficient because you get twice as many and I actually find it easier to get them set properly.
Title: Re: Using the "other side".
Post by: hedgeapple on August 22, 2012, 02:12:01 am
Ok, I'm confused.  What is the other side of the feather?
Title: Re: Using the "other side".
Post by: Chassit on August 22, 2012, 10:25:54 am
Ok, I'm confused.  What is the other side of the feather?

Yeah, what he said...
Title: Re: Using the "other side".
Post by: Pat B on August 22, 2012, 05:30:19 pm
When you look at a feather, the quill runs down the center and the fletchings are on both sides of the quill. If you split the quill down the middle you will have two fletchings to work with...but remember one is a right and the other is a left so don't mix them up.  Some primary feathers have very little "feather" in the forward edge of the feather so you only get one good side but the secondary and tail feathers have 2 good sides.
Title: Re: Using the "other side".
Post by: Chassit on August 22, 2012, 08:24:50 pm
Oh I am totally visualizing it, thanks!
Title: Re: Using the "other side".
Post by: hedgeapple on August 23, 2012, 12:35:49 am
Thanks Pat.

I supposed I should have ask my more in depth.  Say I have a primary feather from the right wing of a turkey.  So, the bottom is the only side of the quill with enough feather/fletching to use on an arrow.  So, I should be using my "right wing" fletching jig???  If it's a secondary feather from the right side of the turkey, then I would use a "right wing" jig for the bottom and a "left wing" jig for the top side of that feather???
Title: Re: Using the "other side".
Post by: Pat B on August 23, 2012, 12:42:33 am
On a right wing feather you use the trailing edge for a right wing fletch. On feathers that have 2 good sides the forward edge will be left wing and the trailing edge will be the right wing feather.
Title: Re: Using the "other side".
Post by: hedgeapple on August 23, 2012, 12:56:39 am
Thanks again Pat.  I can always count on you for answers.  That's what I thought after about 20 trial and error attempts last January from my Christmas 3R gift card purchased fletching jig.  Eventually, I was making a decent arrow because of stubborness not to give up.  Now, I'm think why?  I like 2 fletched arrows better anyhow.  haha  They look more primitive.  They lay in the quivver better.  They lay against the bow better if you want to stalk with an extra arrow in hand.  And, the shoot just as well at hunting distance of under  15 yards.  And they are a heck of lot easier to make. 
Title: Re: Using the "other side".
Post by: Jodocus on August 23, 2012, 04:06:56 pm
I have used it (but then backsides only) and not noticed any problems.