Fletching

[munkinstein]

I'm hand fletching arrows and some of the barbs are refusing to stay together, how will this affect hte flight of my arrows, if at all?

[stringstretcher]

You will probably not notice and fly problems, but you will get noise.

[Griffin027]

I've had good luck steaming the feathers after they have been attached to the arrow shaft then "zipping" the barbs together. If the quill was bent though it could be beyond repair? Hope that helps!

[Thesquirrelslinger]

Try just getting your feathers wet.
That is all I do.

[munkinstein]

I've had good luck steaming the feathers after they have been attached to the arrow shaft then "zipping" the barbs together. If the quill was bent though it could be beyond repair? Hope that helps!

The quill is fine, the barbs just separated when I was fletching, they are being stubborn I guess. I'll try this and wetting them.  Thanks for your advice!

[Thesquirrelslinger]

If you purchased the feathers from a craft store, some oil can help too. Make sure it is rendered fat. Veggie/olive oils work too, thats what I use.
Waterproofs too!
-Squirrel

[Pat B]

A little steam from a tea kettle in that spot might just do the trick. If the fletch goes over an uneven area like a node in a cane arrow it might not be fixable.