using both sides of the feather?

[dragonman]

another question from a novice arrow maker, if the feather has enough material on either side of the central spine , such as in big tail feathers, can both sides be used, on the same arrow??

[Hillbilly]

Both sides can be used, but not on the same arrow. The offside of a right-wing feather will behave like a left-wing feather. Same with tailfeathers.

[dragonman]

thanks a lot Hillbilly, for both answers, just what I needed to know, I've always bought feathers and stuck them on straight  but now its time to learn arrow making skills

[mullet]

 When I'm using tail feathers, I use the whole feather. One on each side for two fletch.

[SSGN_Doc]

I just started making my own arrows.

I split some feathers and used the "top" for left wing fletchings, and used the "bottoms" to make spiral wrapped flu-flus.

[dragonman]

Mullet doesnt that contradict what Hillbilly said  above about using the 2 sides on the same arrow or is it different for a 2 fletch?

[El Destructo]

If you lay the Feathers on in a Two Fletch pattern....both edges of the Feather are curled up away from the Shaft...on Both Feathers more or less making it a 4 fletch Arrow ...or if you do it like the Northeastern Tribes did...you split the Feather 3/4 of the way up...and only use both sides of the Feather at the Nock end....I am sure that someone has some good pictures of these two styles...If I keep yacking....I am going to be late for Work........

[Hillbilly]

Mullet doesnt that contradict what Hillbilly said  above about using the 2 sides on the same arrow or is it different for a 2 fletch?

No, two-fletches are no different in requiring same-side feathers to fly well, but Eddie is talking about using two whole feathers for eastern woodland-style fletching (not split all the way.)  similar to these.
As you get away from the center of the tail, the feathers become more curved toward each side like wing feathers. There are left-side, right-side, and center tailfeathers, so even with tailfeathers you have to match sides unless it's the flat, even center ones..

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Coo-wah-chobee]

Now Eddie and Steve..........why dont ya make it simple for him .....use one tail feather How ya doin' Steve ?

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Hillbilly]

Howdy Bob!-now where's the fun in simplicity?

[dragonman]

thanks for the imput, I must admit it has got a bit confusing but if I use  all left hand sides of the tail feathers on one arrow and all the right sides together on another, I cant go wrong, right??? I will leave the 2fletch for now till i've matered the 3 fletch

[Hillbilly]

dragonman, you should be good to go.

[Pat B]

Here are a few more Cherokee style 2 fletch and a 2 fletch of my own design.



...and these are tapered ash arrows with 3 being fletched with right wing and 3 with left wing. They all fly well and I can't tell the difference when shot.  The one with the white fletch got Robin Hooded and I had to re-cut the nock and change the feather location.

[dragonman]

beautiful arrows Pat B, Hope mine turn out as good and thanks for all the help everyone

[Pat B]

I just realized these tapered ash arrows are not the ones with the left and right wing feathers. These are fletched with miss matched commercial feathers but all left wing. 

These are the ones I was meaning to post. The shafts are hill cane I had sent to Art Butner and he returned 6 finished arrows less the fletching. I fletched three of these with left wing feathers and 3 with right wing. I marked them with either red wrapping or blue wrapping.