Opinions on Feathers? Trueflight, AMG, Gateway?

[Heat]

I'm getting ready to build some arrows for my recurve and need to buy some feather fletching. I have no experience building arrows with feathers so I need some opinions on brands. Are Trueflight the best? A look at price alone might suggest that. Are AMG feathers any good, seem like a good price. Gateway seems to be the least expensive and from what I've read seem like maybe the lowest quality control of the bunch. Any more info or opinions on feathers out there? Also I like the look of shield cut feathers the best but have no knowledge of any performance effects either way. Does feather shape matter (shield versus parabolic cut)?

[lancetkenyon]

I buy whatever I can get. I shoot 4" feathers out of my compound, and have never seen a difference in flight between feather brands, and I used to shoot competitively in 3D tourneys for years, until the politics drove me absolutely insane. I use round back, and bright colors make finding arrows easier too. And hopefully you will have some blood soaked feathers in your near future! Good luck.

[DBArcher]

I like gateway feathers and true flight, seems like the consistency feather to feather is better with true flight. As far as feather shape its more of a user choice, I haven't noticed a difference between shield or parabolic. Personally I like Shield for the look. As far as size goes it all depends, I have one recurve that shoots great with three 4", another that flies well with four 4" and my longbow loves three 5.5 inch. Just remember when fletching with feathers to take your time, don't rush and they will stick.

[BMart]

I like AMG over Gateway feathers. I use four 4" for my longbow. I don't remember ever buying any Truflight feathers.

[WampusCat]

Is there anything specific that feathers require over regular vanes? Different glue?

 

I just ordered some Easton axis traditional shafts. I had similar questions about shield vs parabolic cut.

[DBArcher]

In my experience, Fletch Tite Platinum seems to work the best for me.

[lancetkenyon]

I like Fletch-tite Platinum too.

 

Bad thing with feathers is rain will get them wet (unlike plastic vanes) and my effect arrow flight. I use a powdered "waterproofer" to help with this while hunting. But when dry, they stabilize very quickly, and fly great.

 

When you shoot an arrow through another feather, you can still shoot the feather without too much effect on flight, unlike vanes which tear a big hole in the vane.

Feathers are lighter than vanes, so you get a little better speed out of them with the decreased arrow weight.