I suppose it is because I like the looks of the feather so much, I usually have mine 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch at the high point (Usually the latter) on a fletch that long. They seem to shoot good to boot. I mostly straight fletch (Always on hunting arrows) so I don't feel like it slows the arrow much if any. I might go a qaurter inch on a four fletch, but I never four fletch for myself. My 2 cents ' Frank