Fletching is the fin-shaped aerodynamic stabilization device attached on

arrow An arrow is a fin-stabilized projectile launched by a bow. A typical arrow usually consists of a long, stiff, straight shaft with a weighty (and usually sharp and pointed) arrowhead attached to the front end, multiple fin-like stabilizers c ...

crossbow bolt A bolt or quarrel is a dart-like projectile used by crossbows. The word ''quarrel'' is from the Old French ''quarrel'' (> French ''carreau'') "square thing", specialized use as ''quarrel d'arcbaleste'' (> ''carreau d'arbalète'') "crossbow quar ...

darts Darts is a competitive sport in which two or more players bare-handedly throw small projectile point, sharp-pointed projectile, projectiles known as dart (missile), darts at a round shooting target, target known as a #Dartboard, dartboard. Point ...

, and

javelin A javelin is a light spear designed primarily to be thrown, historically as a ranged weapon. Today, the javelin is predominantly used for sporting purposes such as the javelin throw. The javelin is nearly always thrown by hand, unlike the sling ...

s, typically made from light semi-flexible materials such as feathers or

bark Bark may refer to: Common meanings * Bark (botany), an outer layer of a woody plant such as a tree or stick * Bark (sound), a vocalization of some animals (which is commonly the dog) Arts and entertainment * ''Bark'' (Jefferson Airplane album), ...

. Each piece of such a device is a fletch, also known as a flight or feather. A fletcher is a person who attaches fletchings to the shaft of arrows. Fletchers were traditionally associated with the Worshipful Company of Fletchers, a guild in the

City of London The City of London, also known as ''the City'', is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county and Districts of England, local government district with City status in the United Kingdom, city status in England. It is the Old town, his ...

. The word is related to the French word , meaning 'arrow', via the ultimate root of

Old Frankish Frankish ( reconstructed endonym: *), also known as Old Franconian or Old Frankish, was the West Germanic language spoken by the Franks from the 5th to 10th centuries. Franks under king Chlodio settled in Roman Gaul in the 5th century. O ...

Description

As a noun, ''fletching'' refers collectively to the fins or vanes, each of which individually is known as a fletch. Traditionally, the fletching consists of three matched half-feathers attached near the back of the arrow or shaft of the dart that are equally spaced around its circumference. Four fletchings have also been used. In English archery, the male feather, from a cock, is used on the outside of the arrow, while the other two stabilizing feathers are from a female, or hen. Traditional archery lore about feather curvature is that a right handed archer should shoot a right winged feather and right handed helical, and a left handed archer should use the opposite. Slow motion cameras show the arrow does not begin to spin until it is well past the riser (centre section of the bow), and the most important point is to have consistency in fletching. Shooting a feathered arrow with a bow with a riser shelf, instead of a plastic vane, is wiser since the feathers will compress and flatten while coming off the bow. On compound bows, feathers may be a hindrance, and plastic vanes are a better solution. At the high speeds coming off a compound bow, plastic vanes with no curvature still allow the arrow to fly straight without tumbling. Also, noise is increased with feathers on these higher-powered bows, which can be a problem for hunters.Meade, Jason (2017)
"Straight, 4º Offset, or Helical? Vanes or Feathers? How should I Fletch my arrows?"
From behind the counter. Today, modern plastics may be used instead of feathers. Fletches were traditionally attached with both glue and silk thread, but with modern glue/thread/tape this is no longer necessary, unless the arrow is a reproduction of a historical arrow. The fletching is used to stabilize the arrow aerodynamically. Feather fletches impart a natural spin on an arrow due to the rough and smooth sides of a feather and the natural curve, determined by which wing the feather came from. Vanes need to be placed at a slight angle (called an offset fletch), or set into a twist (called a helical fletch) to create the same effect, but all are there to impart stability to the projectile to ensure that the projectile does not tumble during flight. More generally, "fletching" can refer to any structures added to a

projectile A projectile is an object that is propelled by the application of an external force and then moves freely under the influence of gravity and air resistance. Although any objects in motion through space are projectiles, they are commonly found ...

to aerodynamically stabilize its flight, many of which resemble arrows in form and function. For instance, the feathers at the butt end of a dart of the type cast using an

atlatl A spear-thrower, spear-throwing lever, or ''atlatl'' (pronounced or ; Classical Nahuatl, Nahuatl ''ahtlatl'' ) is a tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in Dart (missile), dart or javelin-throwing, and includes a Plain bearing, b ...

are very similar in purpose and construction to those used in arrows. Most of the techniques of fletching were likely adapted from earlier dart-making techniques. The fins used to stabilize

rocket A rocket (from , and so named for its shape) is a vehicle that uses jet propulsion to accelerate without using any surrounding air. A rocket engine produces thrust by reaction to exhaust expelled at high speed. Rocket engines work entirely ...

s work in a similar manner. Flight of targetarrow 0001

References

* Blau, Sarah (2007)
An Investigation of Arrow Position as Affected by Fletching Number
Dissertation: B.S. Guilford College. * Brotzman, Richard E., and Ol'e Buff (1995). Archery
Arrowsmithing
Abstract: Designed for the beginner interested in building their own wooden and reed arrows from bare shafting materials using both traditional and primitive methods. * Cheney, C. (1999)
"Bow Hunting: Arrow Fletching, Nocks and Points"
SA Wild & Jag = SA Game & Hunt. 5, no. 8: 21,23. Abstract: Describes the function of arrow fletching in bow hunting or bow competitions. Mentions materials that fletches are made of. Discusses the nocks, points, broadheads and cresting that are important components of arrows. Includes illustrations. * Dudley, J. (2008)
Best Fletching for Your Arrows"
Africa's Bowhunter & Archer. 9, no. 3: 30–31. Abstract: Suggests four fletching type options for your arrows. Explains the fletching test. * Hamm, Jim (1991)
Bows & Arrows of the Native Americans: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Wooden Bows, Sinew-Backed Bows, Composite Bows, Strings, Arrows & Quivers
New York, NY: Lyons & Burford in cooperation with Bois d'Arc Press. Abstract: A step-by-step guide to Native American bows and arrows, including information on how to build and care for wooden bows, sinew-backed bows, composite bows, strings, arrows, and quivers. * Herrin, Al. (1989)
Cherokee Bows and Arrows: How to Make and Shoot Primitive Bows and Arrows
Abstract: The author reveals in step-by-step detail the Cherokee secrets for making bows and arrows from materials found in nature and for shooting them by ancient Cherokee methods. * Massey, Jim (1992). "Self Arrows" in ''The Traditional Bowyer's Bible Volume One'', (Jim Hamm, ed.). Guilford: The Lyons Press. . * Engh, Douglas (n.d.). Topic "Arrows" in "Archery Fundamentals". Human Kinetics . * Sarich, Steven J. (2011)
Variations in Arrow Technology: An Experimental Exploration of the Effectiveness of Fletching
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska–Lincoln. A paper that gives some attention to the small amount of research done on fletching by archaeologists and then goes on to describe the production and effectiveness of fletching when added to the arrow. * Soar Hugh David (n.d.). Straight and True. A select history of the arrow. Westholme Publishing . * De Villiers, A. (2010)
"Overfletched or Underfletched?"
Africa's Bowhunter. 11, no. 1: 15–17. Summary: Discusses arrow fletching and how to achieve a compromise between a number of factors so as to achieve the optimal configuration. {{Archery, state=expanded Archery Projectiles

Description

See also

References

Further reading