How to Make Fletching

Fletching your own arrows is a great way to save a little money and become more handy with the tools of archery. Only recently have synthetic fletches taken over in the world of archery. All arrows in the past were made using feather fletches, and this process has become a bit of a lost art. You can revive this method of fletching easily with a few common supplies and these guidelines.

Things You'll Need

  • Feathers
  • Sharp knife
  • Scissors
  • Super glue
  • Thread
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut your feathers along the quill into two separate pieces. The primary wing feathers found along the trailing edge of birds' wings make great fletching feathers as they are stiff and long.

    • 2

      Trim the quill down right to where the feather itself meets it. Repeat this step three times per arrow.

    • 3

      Design a template that you will use to shape each feather consistently. This should be in the shape of the feather itself that will be attached to the arrow. Use either an old fletch you were fond of, or try one of the many different designs based on the purpose of the arrows. Cut out this template and place it over the feather along the quill and trim the feather to its outline using some scissors.

    • 4

      Mark the feather positions on the shaft of the arrow you will be attaching the feathers to. Draw three lines for the three feathers as guidelines to glue the quill to. Remember the orientation of your cock feather if using an arrow rest that requires the cock feather to be directed in a particular direction.

    • 5

      Apply a thin line of super glue along the quil of one of your feathers.

    • 6

      Apply the feather to the drawn line on the arrow shaft, tip first down the quill to the trailing edge.

    • 7

      Apply the other two feathers in the same fashion.

    • 8

      Tie down and secure the leading edge of your feathers using a length of thread, tied over the tips of the quills of the three feathers. Tie a second length of string over the quills of the trailing edge of the three feathers.

    • 9

      Allow the glue some time to properly cure, and test the newly fletched arrows on a safe target.