Result of Vane/ Feather Test
Contributors to this thread:Equipment
From: WV Mountaineer
31-Mar-17
Yep, vanes are stiffer and heavier. But, they work in rains or shine. Feathers are great. Until it rains. Sounds like you got it figured out. God Bless men
From: Matt
01-Apr-17
Measure again at 40 yards and I bet it is more even. Much to do about nothing IMO.
From: TD
01-Apr-17
I'd change my rest to a fall away before I'd go back to feathers. Noisy when you brush up against them, don't handle wet weather or even crawling through wet brush well. They are lighter.... but likely not 7 fps lighter. The texture does steer arrows better size to size because of higher drag. As Matt stated though, that higher drag will slow them faster and while the lighter arrow starts off faster, the heavier arrow retains it's velocity and energy better downrange.
I carry arrows in my quiver with sometimes 3 or 4 different heads. But they all have the same fletching and weigh the same. They all essentially have the same flight characteristics and hit to the same point out to a good distance.
If you only shoot 30 yds or less..... not gonna make a difference whatever you use, back and forth. Especially 7 fps. But actually another case where I'd just shoot vanes.....
From: oldgoat
01-Apr-17
Buy yourself some Rust-Oleum Neverwet Outdoor Fabric treater, d sold in the paint department at home Depot, spray the feathers outdoors in accordance with the directions and leave for 24 ish hours to dry and you won't need the vaned arrows
From: oldgoat
01-Apr-17
oldgoat's Link
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-NeverWet-11-oz-NeverWet-Outdoor-Fabric-Spray-278146/205160314
From: DeerMount
01-Apr-17
I shoot feathers through a WB rest and have no problems. The only downfall I have is having to refletch more often
From: BOX CALL
01-Apr-17
I shoot 5" left wing helical shields or parabolic feathers.I just like them.
From: bb
02-Apr-17
Whatever you choose to use, just be sure to keep your FOC right.
From: bow_dude
02-Apr-17
I like feathers over vanes because of the ability to increase my FOC and the forgiveness factor they provide as well as the superior steering ability they have. So, the question I have for Old Goat or anyone who uses the spray... does the spray bind everything together so they act more like vanes and does the spray add weight to the fletching? I am sure it does add some weight, but is it something that can be weighed or is it too minimal to take into consideration? I think I will buy some spray and test it out, but thought I would ask what your findings have been.
From: APauls
02-Apr-17
If you like adding extra hiss to your arrow noise!
From: WV Mountaineer
02-Apr-17
Feathers are LOUD. But, a blazer vane takes the title for the loudest. God Bless
From: 12yards
03-Apr-17
I used feathers for decades (now am using Blazers) and never had an issue with them getting soaked. Course I'm not going to sit in a downpour anyways. Also never had a deer spook because of how loud my feathers were flying. If my Blazers don't quit falling off, I'll be using feathers again this fall. I see absolutely no downside to using feathers. I think they pass through animals better too.
From: PECO
03-Apr-17
Vanes through a WB with a compound, feathers off the shelf with trad bow, that is how I shoot.
From: PECO
03-Apr-17
Vanes through a WB with a compound, feathers off the shelf with trad bow, that is how I shoot.
From: Redheadtwo
04-Apr-17
Scotchgard works great. Spray the feathers until they're almost saturated,lightly shake out some of the excess,let dry. You can run water out of the faucet over the feathers and the water will bead up and run off. I've been caught out hunting in a downpour and my feathers never got limp from being wet because they didn't soak up any water.