Getting started with archery can be a little challenging, especially when it comes to arrows and how to fletch them correctly. If your arrows are not set up properly, it can negatively affect your accuracy and performance. In this article, you will learn how to fletch arrows correctly, as well as everything you’ll need to accomplish this process properly!
What is Fletching?
The fletching on an arrow is the aerodynamic stabilization materials that are attached to them. Fletchings are fin-shaped and are usually made from a semi-flexible material such as plastic, feather, or vinyl. Fletching comes in many different shapes, colors, and designs but they all serve the same basic function.
Why Is Fletching Necessary?
An arrow needs to have some type of fletching in order to help stabilize it during flight. As the arrow leaves the bow, fletching causes it to spin. This leads to more stabilization while in flight. Just as a quarterback will put a spiral spin on a football as he throws it, the spinning of the arrow leads to better flight and more consistent results.
Fletching gives it this same spin and helps to increase its accuracy while on its flight path. Without any type of fletching, you will get inconsistent results. Not only will the arrow fail to spin properly, but every shot will have a different point of impact. Fletching is vital to overall accuracy and performance when it comes to archery.
How to Fletch Arrows
Fletching your own arrows is a fun and relatively simple process. It can also save you a lot of money when compared to paying an archery shop. Luckily, the process is very simple and you only need a few basic items in order to get started!
Here’s what you’ll need:
Arrow Shafts
The first and most obvious thing you will need to fletch your own arrows are the arrow shafts themselves. These are the bare shafts that you will attach your fletching and later your arrowheads to. Most arrow shafts are sold this way and will not automatically come with fletching already attached.
Arrow Fletching
Next, you will need the fletching that you intend to attach to the shafts. This can be either feather (popular with traditional bows) or plastic vanes (used with all types of bows, especially compounds). These come in all shapes, sizes, and designs depending on your style and preferences.
Fletching Jig
A vital piece of equipment that is needed to fletch arrows is a fletching jig. These are simple devices designed to hold the arrow shaft and vanes in place while the glue dries. It ensures that you place the fletching accurately on the arrow as well. If you’re looking for a tried-and-true fletching jig, here’s my recommendation. The Bitzenburger jig is an industry standard that will serve you well and has been around for decades.
Fletching Glue
In order to stick the fletching onto the arrow shaft, you will need some high-quality fletching glue. While something like super glue can work, there are glues that are specifically designed to securely hold fletching in place. These glues allow for a solid, yet flexible bond. A great glue option is G-Lock’s Blu Glu, which is designed for fletching an inserts.
Rubbing Alcohol
A small amount of rubbing alcohol is important to ensure you have a clean surface for adhesion. Alcohol helps remove oils to ensure the fletching glue is able to properly set and hold the two together. Acetone is another solvent you can use to really clean the arrow shaft.
You can also clean off each plastic vane with alcohol to be sure both surfaces are clean. That said, be sure to read any instructions that come with your fletching. Some come from the factory with adhesive properties on the vanes. Applying alcohol could remove this layer and reduce the strength of the bond. It’s important to apply glue to clean surfaces, but something to be aware.
Fletching your Arrows
Choose Your Fletching
As previously mentioned, fletching comes in many different options. Not only are there different materials to choose from, but you also have to decide between different sizes, shapes, and designs. Some fletching is very minimal and low profile, while others are much larger and have different shapes. You may also want to pick specific colors or designs based on your bow and other equipment. Once you have selected your preferred fletching, you are ready to get started.
Plastic vanes are generally more popular than feathers in most archery situations and provide the most options and best performance. You can decide between shorter or longer vanes as well. Each has different advantages or disadvantages depending on the distances you intend to shoot and how heavy your arrows will be.
Shorter vanes, such as those that are 2 inches or less in length, look sleeker and slimmer. These are very popular with casual archers and hunters, especially those who shoot outdoors. This is because the lower profile of these shorter vanes does not catch the wind as easily, while still providing proper spin and stabilization. For those who primarily shoot indoors or at competitions, longer vanes such as those that are three or four inches in length may be a better option. These provide even better spin and stabilization but are heavier and more prone to catching a breeze if shot outdoors.
The type and style of your vanes will largely depend on your personal preferences and intended uses. Regardless of what you end up going with, you will still fletch all of your arrows, in the same way, every time!
Set Up The Fletching Jig
With the fletching ready, you now must prepare the fletching jig. Jigs are made to hold the fletching onto the arrow in the correct position while the glue dries. Some jigs only do one vane at a time, while others can do two or even three at once. Jigs also place fletching in different patterns on the shaft as well. You can place them straight in-line with the arrow shaft, or with an offset angle.
It is often debated in the archery world on what is best, straight, offset, or helical vanes on an arrow. Straight vanes are the least popular and are mostly used by traditional archers. This does not produce the same amount of spin as offset or helical. Offset fletching sets the vanes in a straight line on the arrow, but with a 4-degree angle. This gives more accuracy and better broadhead stabilization mid-flight. Helical sets the vanes with an offset in the back, with the vanes curving back down the arrow toward the front. This twist on the vanes gives the arrow more spin during flight and is why helical is quickly becoming one of the most popular options.
Some jigs give you the option of choosing between these different styles, while other jigs will only fletch arrows in one specific way. Choose a jig that not only will fletch the arrow in the style you prefer but that you can also afford. Get the jig ready by placing the fletching inside of the jig to ensure it is ready to attach to the arrow.
Prep the Arrow Shaft
If you are re-fletching older arrows, grab a sharp knife and slowly and carefully scrape off old fletching and glue from the shaft. Make sure you get all of it completely off so that you are starting with a clean arrow shaft. This may take some time and a few passes before you get all of the previous vanes and glue off.
Next, you will use rubbing alcohol in order to clean the shaft and prepare it for better adhesion. Simply apply alcohol to a paper towel and clean off the shaft. Run your fingers down the arrow shaft and feel for any bumps or material you may have missed and repeat as necessary. If your arrow shafts are brand new, you will simply need to take a small amount of the rubbing alcohol and clean off the back portion of the arrow where the fletching will be placed. This will allow the fletching to have a better surface to stick to once the glue is applied.
Apply Glue and Place Fletching
Once the arrow shaft is cleaned and ready for the fletching, place the arrow shaft inside of the jig and use the nock to ensure it is properly seated inside. Next, place a generous amount of fletching glue (but not too much) on each vane in the fletching jig. Close the jig or move the fletching onto the arrow shaft (depending on the type of jig you are using). Ensure that the fletching and glue are making proper contact with the bare arrow shaft and that the jig is holding it securely in place.
Glue the Tip and Tail
Allow the fletching to properly dry. Once it is done, remove the arrow from the jig and inspect your work. If the vane is properly placed and attached, take your fletching glue and place a small bead of glue at each end of the vane in order to give it extra adhesion. This will also add some strength and durability to the vane and help to prevent it from coming off too easily.
Final Thoughts
Not only is the process of fletching your own arrows easy and simple, but it can also be very rewarding and fun at the same time. If you have ever wanted to try it out for yourself, simply assemble the few basic items you’ll need and give them a go. You may be surprised at how well it turns out and may want to continue fletching your own arrows to save yourself the money!
