helical vs. straight fletching

[alex b]

        hi i was just wondering what the advantages and disadvantages each of these have. any difference
      in arrow flight? any difference in penetration?

      thanks

[Josh]

...seems like helical fletched arrows would spin more times in flight which would make the arrow fly straighter/better for alot further... 

[Pat B]

I have always used a straight fletch with an offset. Helical does spin the arrow faster so the arrow trues faster but they can be slower and noisier. Both work well. Years ago a friend gave me a JoJan multi-fletch with straight clamps. That's why I use them and like straight fletch. 

[aero86]

I'm really thinking about getting a fletching jig.  What do you mean by an offset pat?

[recurve shooter]

aero86, i have a super crappy cheap plastic one. i dont actually use it for fletching cuz cane aint exactly a flat surface to glue to. it does, however, comein handy for marking where your feathers need to be so you get them spaced evenly.

sorry, not trying to change the topic. 

as far as the fletches go, im not sure of the difference between offset and helical, but i would believe that straight fletches would be faster and quieter, but anything that adds spin would be more accurate.

[Pat B]

With a straight fletch jig you can set the clamp so the feather is angled either to the right or left or straight in line with the shaft. I usually add about a 1/8" off set when I fletch.(appropriate offset for left or right wing feathers)
   Even with the straight fletch set perfectly straight an arrow will spin in flight because of the lay of the feather. With some off set it will spin more and with a helical even more. When I do use helical I usually use smaller feathers(5" shields or parabolic). For straight fletch I use either a 5 1/2" high back shield cut or my own fletch design.

[aero86]

haha, recurve, youve got my number on that cane, huh?  haha.

thanks pat, i kinda thought that, but wasnt sure.  guess ill just stick with trying that cardboard with 3 slits cut in it jig

[riarcher]

You could make a jig like this guy (about a minute into it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pffhKIuuQX8&feature=related

[mullet]

 I like to use helical for 3-D Shoots because it straightens up real quick and is good shooting through tight foliage. Most of my hunting arrows are straight with an off-set. The are quieter.

[markinengland]

Personally I like helical, done either by hand or with a jig. They seem to straighten up quicker, be more forgiving of a shaft that isn't precisely straight and for me just more accurate or likely to go where I am looking.

I have found that noise seems to be more due to the shape of the rear of the fletch rather than whether they are straight, offset or helical. Perhaps people with stronger faster bows than I use may get more noise than I get?

[aero86]

ive noticed the noise on mine, and they arent straight, slightly helical

[recurve shooter]

aero86, yup. your first in line. went cane-sampling today. gunna put up a post in a sec.

[mullet]

    Really, it's probbally because straight, with a slight offset, is easier to glue up. And if your arrows are tuned worth a crap, they will fly, EXCELLANT.

[nugget]

I use a cheap jig to set the feather in place with a small amount of glue then I tie it on with sinew or thread. I know it's cheating but it works.

[Aries]

You could make a jig like this guy (about a minute into it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pffhKIuuQX8&feature=related

thats a pretty neat little jig, prolly wouldnt be to complicated to make one. what do you think you could use for the clamp??