Fletching Guide – How to Fletch an Arrow
Fletchings are the guidance system at the back of an arrow – traditionally feathers, sometimes plastic vanes that make it fly straight. Without fletching, an arrow tumbles in the air instead of flying true. Get your fletching wrong and even the best bow and the best arrow shafts won't group well. Get it right and a well-matched arrow will fly the same way every time.
Feathers or vanes?
Traditional archers almost always fletch with feathers rather than plastic vanes - they're quieter off the shelf of a flatbow or recurve and run silently off the back of your hand plus they are more forgiving with contact of the bow, and simply look right on a wood arrow. We stock natural feather fletchings in both parabolic and shield cut profiles. As our FAQs note, there's no performance difference between the two shapes – it's down to looks, though the height and length of the feather affects flight more than the profile does. Just don't mix RW or LW feathers on the same arrow!
What you need to fletch your own arrows
Arrow shafts – wood, aluminium or carbon
Fletching thread (if making medieval style) or fletching glue
The basic steps
- Prepare the shaft — clean and lightly abrade where the feather will sit.
- Set your fletching jig to the correct spacing (three feathers, evenly spaced, with the cock feather positioned away from the bow).
- Glue and clamp each feather in the jig, holding until set.
- Bind the front and rear of each feather with fletching thread for extra durability, especially on medieval style or roving arrows.
- Trim and check the arrow spins true.
Not ready to fletch your own?
You don't have to. We sell fully fletched, ready-made arrows matched to your bow and draw weight – just let us know what you shoot and we'll do the rest.
Want to learn hands-on?
Our arrow-making course covers fletching alongside the rest of arrow building, with all the tools – including the fletching jig supplied on the day.