hello guys. i was wondering the difference between some 5.5 in 3 fletch arrows and some 3.5 or 4 in. 4-fletched arrows. right now i am using the 5.5 in 3 fletch arrows and wanted to get some arrows that will stabilize quicker, but not lose anything speed wise or make my arrows louder. am i just trying to get compound speeds out of a recurve. or will this 4 fletched arrows really help out. i thought maybe 4 fletched 4 in. arrows would be quieter and hopefully wont lose any speed over 3 5in. feathers.
thanks for any experiences

TTT

I haven't tried yet, but plan to on the next batch of arrows I make.  From what I've heard there isn't any noticable difference in speed, and they stabilize faster.

I have been shooting 4-4" shields this fall and see no speed difference but a definate gain of stability. Wish I would have gone to this combo years ago.

LeRoy

Hi Brandon    I don't think it will make enough difference to matter.  Except for the 5 1/2".  They make an awful lot of noise for me.  Nice deer you got this year        ...Van

I am using four 5 inch bananas haven't noticed a speed decrease and they are quiet and stable

I use 4 fletch 75x105 4" parabolic. They straighten up extra quick, are quiet, and stable. Plus, if you chop your own, you can normally get 2 useable feathers from a full length. Try them, they work better than anything I've used. CKruse

Like Van said.....don't think it will amount to a hill of beans.  But there is one thing I do like about my 5 inch 4 fletch at 90 degrees....just grab the arrow and nock it, don't have to worry about the cock feather.

thanks guys i think i will try the 4 fletch 4 inch. feathers on my next batch of arrows.
thanks van. i sure wish you would stay on the lease next year and best of luck to you.
are you going to the hill country shootout. i will see you there.

bm22 - not sure how "slim" your shelf/riser profile is, but take a peek at this link:  http://www.arrowsbykelly.com/Other_Tips.html

Some good thoughts & ideas about the different angles for four-fletch.

I think you will like the 4 fletch 4" especially with your setup (over 200 fps I would guess).  Take a peek at the link Old York posted.  I've played with it and think I might just convert myself.  I like the idea of getting 2 fletchings from a full length feather.  Did I tell you I was cheap?   :D   See ya at Vanderpool ...Van

That angled orientation 4 fletch looks good, must be from doing 4 on a 3 fletch jig as they stated. My jo-jan does 60/120 but the 60 deg pairs are top and bottom centered so the inside bottom feather still hits. Have to try it on the 3 fletch setting.

Eric

Like Van and and Terry said - don't matter much 'tween 3x5" or 4x4" ... I like the 4 fletch for what Terry said about grabbin' an arra and string nocking it without lookin' or feelin' for the nock indicator - it's perfect every time.  

Another reason I like 4x4" is that I can get two vanes chopped or burnt from one full size feather.  So, four full length feathers nets me eight 4" vanes for two arras, whilst it'd take six full length feathers to yield six 5" vanes for two arras.  I like that kinda math - but more importantly I like how my four fletch arras fly.

YMMV.

I can see no difference when using a 3 fletch whether I shoot it cock feather in or out.  I just nock it up and shoot.  I think 4x4 lo profile fletches would help clear a bow better than 3x5 hi profiles and give the same stability though.  I get a little feather wear on the very edge of my shelf.  May have to try the lo pro 4x4 and see what happens.

I switched over all my arrows from 3x5 to 4x4, specifically a lowprofile banana. I personally think they do stabilize quicker and fly better overall. But then, I'm often told my opinion is wrong    

As the others have said, now that I chop all my own feathers, it's nice getting 2 out of every full length.

Which chopper do you recommend for a 4" nanner?

Benny

This is the profile cut from a 4" Hunter model of the Vario Clipper I got from Herb Haines at Herbsarchery:

 

I'm completely sold on these in a 4x4" configuration as better than anything else I've tried.

I really like the way my 4 x 4" carbons shoot!