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Author Topic: Alternative Fletching Materials  (Read 7614 times)

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Offline Ryan Jacob

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Alternative Fletching Materials
« on: May 30, 2018, 04:11:20 am »
So right now, I’m using masking tape as a fletching. It works pretty good, but, it looks absolutely terrible. I can and will get feathers soon since my friend owns turkeys and is planning to eat one. In the mean time, will something like coconut leaves work? Or do you guys have any other ideas?
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Alternative Fletching Materials
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2018, 06:14:02 am »
Palm and other plant leaves are used in some countries for fletching. I've seen primitive arrows with pine needles used as fletching.
Fletching is used steer and stabilize the arrow so many things can be used.
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline GlisGlis

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Re: Alternative Fletching Materials
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2018, 08:46:57 am »
leaves would be probably a one shot solution as the will rip easily
maybe you could make a flu flu kinda with coconut fibers
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Offline Aaron H

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Re: Alternative Fletching Materials
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2018, 10:46:54 am »
Rawhide can be used also
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Alternative Fletching Materials
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2018, 11:11:45 am »
You can get (50) 5" AMG solid color feathers for $20. 
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Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline aaron

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Re: Alternative Fletching Materials
« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2018, 01:00:39 pm »
A little yarn wrap works good. Also you can go withput fletching.
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Alternative Fletching Materials
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2018, 01:14:48 pm »
Where do you live? 
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Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline TrevorM

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Re: Alternative Fletching Materials
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2018, 10:38:11 am »
I had some luck making a flu flu with deer hair (tail). If you have somewhere that stocks fly fishing stuff you should be able to get some. Any other kind of strong fiber would probably work too.
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Trevor

Offline Ryan Jacob

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Re: Alternative Fletching Materials
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2018, 11:08:22 am »
I live in tphe Philippines. I have tried messing with rawhide before and have no idea how to do it. Not sure exactly how to make a plant fiber flu flu. I have no idea where to find deer hide or deer in general here. Pine is a no go, I dont have access to one. Also, PD, I’m a cheapskate >:D
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Alternative Fletching Materials
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2018, 11:15:55 am »
I was going to send you a gob of turkey feathers, but not to the Philippines.
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Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline DC

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Re: Alternative Fletching Materials
« Reply #10 on: May 31, 2018, 11:35:24 am »
Are you close to the beach? You should be able to find a few feathers there. They don't have to be in great shape. As long as they stick up and catch the wind a bit.
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Offline Ryan Jacob

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Re: Alternative Fletching Materials
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2018, 11:59:21 am »
Pearly
It’s fine :)
DC
I’ve tried and no such luck ???
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Alternative Fletching Materials
« Reply #12 on: May 31, 2018, 12:00:22 pm »
I know there are chickens over there. Try that.
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Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline TrevorM

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Re: Alternative Fletching Materials
« Reply #13 on: May 31, 2018, 02:35:51 pm »
The basics are: Wrap some artificial sinew onto the shaft ~5" from the nock until it's secure. Then hold a clump of hair (or whatever you end up using) at a 45 degree angle across the shaft. Continue to wrap the sinew over the hair onto the shaft, starting very gently and increasing in tension after a couple of times. As you start to pull more you should find that the hair splays out and twists around the shaft. Once you're happy with how it looks pull the sinew through the hair and wrap it a few times and secure.  If you google "fly tying spinning deer hair" there's lots of sites that show you the idea. You could probably buy some deer hair online, but I'd think you could find something to use locally for free. If you don't have artificial sinew any other strong cord should work, you might want to wax it though to help the fibers stick/slide.
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Trevor

Offline Ryan Jacob

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Re: Alternative Fletching Materials
« Reply #14 on: May 31, 2018, 08:32:56 pm »
TrevorM
Well I DO need a haircut  :o
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