How To Fletch Primitive Arrows
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ก.พ. 2023
- How to Fletch Primitive Arrows can be easy given some patience and understanding of the resources you have. This is one way of about twenty different ways to connect fletchings to an arrow shaft. I can't stress the importance of using arrows from the same wing!
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This is by far the best TH-cam video I have ever seen on fletching arrows. I learned so much and will use all the tips, tricks and methods on my future arrows. Thanks!
Thanks so very much. Appreciate you watching and following the adventures.
The amount of knowledge that you give us that was taught generations before as a need to know to survive but knowledge that a man should know how to do, keep up the awesome content 💯🔥
I’m sure sooner than later all your help is going to pay off.. as a wise man once said “I don’t know with what WW3 will be fought but WW4 will be fought with sticks and stones”
I couldn’t agree more. I appreciate you watching and following the journey. Time will team my friend…until then, stay wild!
In England I've see people use the chewed bulbs from the blue bell flower as glue,you have to be careful chewing the bulbs as they are mildly toxic,great vid.
Great method, thanks for the info. We modern people take it for granted, but the native people's it meant whether they got food or not.
Using arrows or slingshots, primitive weapons is really cool, probably one of my favorite videos from you so far
Appreciate it Garrett. Thanks so very much.
Donny! Thank you very much for your time in making this video. It confirmed some methods I was using that I wasn’t sure on, along with giving much more insight into techniques I didn’t know or fully understand.
I may be setting aside the last batch of arrows I made and make some more.
No worries Logan. Appreciate you watching. This type of fletching is a great way to create a baseline and explore from there into different methods.
Hi Donnie, Awesome, awesome, awesome ! Had to watch the video twice. You answered a lot of my questions ! Thanks Donnie
Thanks. I appreciate that. The video was a bit long, but I wanted to answer lots of the questions I get. Appreciate you greatly Lightning 28!
Thank you ! You are definitely the man !
Right on, that came out great, thanks Donny
Very cool video as always thanks donny
My pleasure. Appreciate you watching!
Hey Donny thank you very much for this very informative video. It is very much appreciated. And thank you for sharing your knowledge with everybody.
My absolute pleasure. I appreciate you watching. Fletching an arrow can be overwhelming, but it’s totally doable.
Excellent video. Thanks !!
Great video 👍 thanks very interesting 😁 going too make
Some Arrows myself thankyou
Thank you for the information about identifying the right and left wing feather. That information is not addressed in many other videos. I have built a few arrows some fly better than others. I didn't know that feathers from the same wing fly better. I once built a beautiful two feather turkey tail arrow that would not fly straight, zigzag madly. My life has improved.
Very informative video I love it!
Real fine job, well done!
Outstanding video awesome content at first I thought I was doing it wrong and then you tell us they can be glued all the way down I was on the edge of my seat thank you for sharing this with us six stars brother
No problem Joseph. I appreciate you watching and happy to provide a way of fletching arrows!
I love your channel. When you're shaping and burning, you call the little piece of wood a gauge. I think a better word for it is a template. 😄
Your the example I use when someone ask me what I want to do with my life
Appreciate that. Thanks so very much.
I've always wanted to try and make fletches because of all the chickens in my farm. Very helpful.
Awesome!!! Happy this helps!
Thanks for putting all this awesome content together. I'm so glad I stumbled across your channel 🤙
Makes sense, so much sense.
I been practicing archery for a while now and i really one make my own arrows and bow. I hope one day il be as cool as you and be able to hunt with the tools i made myself
No worries my friend. Enjoy the process and time just shooting. Enjoy the day. Appreciate you watching.
How do you pick an arrow shaft? I've seen some cultures fire the shaft or straighten it with their teeth. Can you make a full video?
I love your content ❤
Thanks. Appreciate you watching the video!
Man that was an awesome and informative video. Great tips with those gouges.
Thanks bro. Appreciate it greatly.
Thanks for showing us how to Fletch an arrow! Now can you show us you how the arrow shafts?? what wood is best?
It really all depends on what's in your area, but generally, hardwoods work best for reliable arrows. Things like oak, fir, ash, yew, maple, dogwoods, cedar, etc. You can use softwoods if you're willing to put in a bit more effort to make them nice and straight and reliable enough to get the job done and potentially last a few to several more shots than normally
The key to arrow fibers is that they're tight (for strength), straight, smooth and flexible
Nice
Thanks for the great video once again donny. 😀 I think you would find the Dutch arrow / swiss arrow a lot of fun to make and throw and could make a cool video if you're ever looking for new ideas
Absolutely. I’m doing one next week. On my way to hunt hogs in Texas next week…I’ll work that video in as well!!!
@@DonnyDustsPaleoTracks awesome ill keep an eye out for the new content I appreciate the reply and hope you enjoy the rest of your day :)
Discovered, you by watching your short videos. I really like the longer version videos though. Your channel has really got me interested in primitive skills/survival. Really, wanna start putting my own primitive knapping kit together. Thanks for the awesome content!
My pleasure. I appreciate you watching. I have plenty of knapping videos that can aid in your process! thanks!
Hi! I’ve been following your videos for a while now, and I feel like I’ve learned so much from them. They’ve genuinely inspired me to get back into my love of creating (mostly carving and weaving) Anyway, I was wondering if it’s alright if I asked you about your tattoos? No worries if not :)
You can also face the pattern towards you, and wherever the lip is will be on the same side of the wing it's from
안녕하세요.
😊🤙🏻
for my arrows i always just left them unfletched, and used i big weighted head.
less range, but 10x less effort, and it still flies straight and hits hard.
If it shoots straight and works…it works. Meat in the freezer!
What wood do you like for arrows? Can you show us field harvesting arrow wood?
Absolutely. I’ve used so many types over the years…rose, willow, yucca, palm, pine, aspen…so many. Absolutely…I can do a video.
Paleo-BIC? Good video man!
It’s not my first choice. Like I said in my video…a good smoldering stick works best to give that final shape to the fletchings. Appreciate you watching!
Donny, watching this progression with great detail you pass on, i take it left and right wing will make flight of the arrow fly differently to the target?
Would i be correct in saying in keep left/right wing arrows seperate?
Could the left/right hand user benifit to a certain side of quill when hand made?
That is a brilliant question, an I applaud you greatly for asking that! The user, whether left or right-handed, won't see much benefit from an arrow made strictly either of left or right wing feathers, unless you're looking for two things:
1. The paradox of the arrow (which way it spins - clockwise or counterclockwise)
And 2. The craftsmanship of the feathers themselves
Point 2 is the bigger deal. Many fletchers and archers alike will go with different profiles for the feathers of the arrows being used. Some for example, prefer drop point feathers, others will prefer shield points, and other still will prefer a taper point - the profile of the feathers will usually impact the flight of the arrow depending on your style of shooting (how far away you shoot, how far the arrow should fly, and the arch of the arrow flight you'd prefer)
Point 1 can also have a significant impact though, depending on how you position the fletchings. If, for example, you curved the fletchings slightly from bottom to top in a slight "S" shape, the spin of the arrow will be more rapid (and the flight might be more stable depending on how you shoot it, and the poundage of the bow being used)
Hope this helps (coming from a fellow fletcher/archer). This is as best a summary as I could come up with 😄
Edit: I forgot to mention that the paradox of the arrow might also change slightly on how you position the fletchings on the shaft, and may also change on whether you knock the arrow from the inside of the bow or the outside. If the feathers for example are right wing feathers, then the paradox will begin to spin clockwise, and vice versa. The feathers will work either way though, and there isn't much need to keep them separated. You can use either or just as much as the other, regardless of hand dominance
👍
First and ur video are great.
You are first!!! Appreciate you watching!
Great video there bro thanks. Ps you got some great looking tattoos there as well have they got any meanings to them.
How about two fletch arrows?
Are you going to show how to make a bow next? Please do.
This has to be the best video I have seen on this topic to date. Question, do you have an opinion on two vs. three feather fletch, is one better or is it down to preference? Likewise with the length and shape of the fletchings themselves? There's plenty of variation depending on region and culture just in North America alone and as I'm looking to get started fletching my own primitive arrows I wonder if there's one style objectively more accurate than another or at least better for a novice.
Three fletchings will give you more accuracy and stabilize the flight better - same with four fletchings instead of three, but three fletchings are the minimum of what you should stick with. As for fletching styles, it really all just boils down to form follows function. You want to stabilize the flight and keep the accuracy. Different fletchings will have different effects on the arrow's flight pattern depending on the poundage of the bow, the method of shooting, the wood being used for the arrow and the weight (or "grain") of the arrowhead. Drop points are what many people use as a style of fletchings (as is the fleyching style shown in this video), but there are also shield styles, taper styles, diamond styles and leaf styles
I'd say just experiment and find out what best suits you
How do you turn off the sinew? I always end up with a protruding knot
Nice video, can you also show that you are attaching an obsidian bow head to this particular one, please ✌
It's just a slight split down the center head of the arrow shaft (not too big of one and not too deep or you'll end up splitting the arrow), some glue and some sinew thread. Just place the bottom, flatter part of the arrowhead down the split of the shaft (carefully, so you can gague whether it's too big), glue it in there and wrap it in sinew that you chewed on. The glue will help hold it in place while you wrap it (and help keep it there when you hit the target), and the sinew will tighten around the arrowhead and shaft as it dries, keeping it firmly in place
Great video! But how do you awoid the Wing to rot? Do you prosess it somehow, whitout damaging the feathers?
Wing rot isn't much an issue with feathers than it is for the wings themselves. Many fletchers will oftentimes forget that they have wings and find out that the wings have rotten away, but the feathers are still there. Feathers break down much slower than the wings do, and the only real worry I've ever had with them was some fletchings ripping off the shaft because either the poundage of the bow was too much to handle, or the arrow just went through the target and the target ripped the fletchings off with it. You don't need to worry about wing rot with feather fletchings on an arrow (same reason most people didn't worry about it with quill pens) - but you could waterproof them if you'd like
Edit: "eings" -> "wings"
@@colorfulhumor4724 wow thanks for the depth of the answer, it answered so much I have been thinking about and more. If everyone took the time to answer like you did, TH-cam can be the best learning platform 👍
@TheRubenkj Thank you - that means a lot for me, as I've taught other people before (and it can be a somewhat complicated topic to discuss sometimes)
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!
Nice video! Thoughts on arrow spine? Took me an embarrassingly long time - shooting wobbly arrows - to realize that if one is harvesting their own shoots and using hardwoods like dogwood, viburnum etc..., bare shaft shooting is a really important first step (for me at least). However, there are other prolific content creators in this vein that think spineing is unnecessary - though they seem to use cane exclusivly. How is your hide glue not getting all gelatinous while cooling in that little jar, do you add some beeswax etc? I use dogbane to wrap flechings, but have heard that right at the nock we should be using (real) sinuw as it compresses as drys and prevents a hole in the hand so to speak. your thoughts?
What advice would you like regarding spineing? What problems are you facing?
I personally have found that it all depends on what you use for the spine. And wobbly arrows? I thought that's what you wanted from the arrow? It's supposed to flex in flight from the starting shoot of the string, otherwise it'll have too mich rigidity - and might either snap more easily or just not fly well (I may need some help defining your problem)
@@colorfulhumor4724 "wobbly arrows" was just a metaphor, what I mean is arrows that clearly fly inconsistently, which manifests in obvious wagging back and forth of the arrow in flight (not the paradoxing). Generally, I know how to correct for this. I'm a bit of a purist so no spine scales etc... I bare shaft shoot and scrape/cut/adjust point weight until they fly straight. When I have a set that flies straight and hit ~ consistently, then I carefully fletch. The challenge is there are always a couple arrows that fly poorly no matter what I do. I usually just discard these.
My point of confusion is that in all of these "primitive archery" videos from the content creators, I never see people doing this step. No fine-scale adjustments, no spining. Then going to see some of the native folks in my area, building their cultural reinactments and arrow sizes/spines are all over the place. Seeing them shoot these reenactments and arrows are not at all accurate. Nothing even close to the "can hit a coin at 100 paces with 3-4 arrows flying before the first hits" or "shoot the Bison and kill the calf on the other side" we hear about.
In my experience, it's absolutely critical for consistent shooting to do this tuneing. So I guess I'm wondering if there's some secret sauce I'm not understanding or missing in this context, from others with experience.
@colorfulhumor4724 An example of "secret sauce" that we rarely hear in these forums. This is from 11 years ago and the only place I've seen this discussed - Clay Hayes, archery gem!... th-cam.com/video/Jhrtxz3IXJk/w-d-xo.html . Its not just about right or left wing, primary/secondary feather is really important too, and the "stripping method" he suggests, with a bit of practice produces a far superior fletching to splitting and scraping IMO. So many little things that make a big difference when were talking about arrow flight.
Another example of "secret sauce". Cant remember who, but an old guy told me at the range once that you need to "know your arrows, like old friends". If an arrow always hits a couple of inches high and to the left, adjust your aim accordingly. I've taken to a quick notation that I write on my nocks so I can quickly see where to aim per arrow. Doing this has vastly improved my accuracy.
wondering what other "secret sauce" others have learned in this vein?
If your arrows are too lightly or heavily spined for your bow, the archer's paradox movements will be extreme, resulting in poor arrow flight and loss of accuracy. This is mostly heavily dependent on the poundage of the bow in accordance with the spine being used, and also is heavily dependent on the type of wood being used. For example, when I had my 60lb recurve, I would spine my arrows by first using a groove which was cut into a simple log using a crescent draw knife I'd made from a spoon (I like to make everything by hand using whatever materials I can think of). This would get the smoothened and cylindrical shape that I needed, but I also needed it to be stiff while still having some flexibility - so I'd heat treat it over an open fire. Then came sanding it down to make the surface smooth and to catch the little bumps I mightve potentially missed - and then the polishing with lacquer to keep it in shape and make sure there was as less friction along the arrow shaft as could be (animal fats work wonders, and not just as preservatives)
But before any of that, I needed to stress test the wood I was using to find out what the best (or more appropriate) spine would be for the arrow. If it's too heavy or light, it won't fly right and will have the exact same problem you're facing. I would only use a very specific groove for a *very specific* spine type
Do you know the poundage of the bow you're using, and what the recommended spine would be for the arrow?
@@colorfulhumor4724 Currently main bow is a 69 inch ~#60 sinew-backed osage mollegabet with a very high crown and flat belly (it was a small tree). Slightly off-center but with a small shelf to compensate. Arrow preference is red oiser shoots (so selecting shoots by diameter rather than planeing out split shafts), but will also use smaller diameter viburnum, etc... The bare shaft method generally gets me a good set of arrows, but would love to hear what other pro-tips others with experience have to offer too! Thanks!
Have you done anything with cob shelters or housing?
I haven’t done a cob shelter on TH-cam, but I’ve had a few cob-like builds on a few tv shows.
With real sinew, wouldn't you want to wet it first and then wrap the fletching down so that way as it dries, it shrinks and holds even tighter? I wouldn't think you'd need glue with real sinew. I'm not saying this idea is better, I'm just asking.
It's optional, and it all depends on your preference. You can chew the sinew while you use the pitch glue if you'd like and use it that way - just please be careful with how tightly you wrap the sinew. If it's too tight, it'll choke the feathers and they might bridge or warp or bend or snap
I wish I was in a spot I could source my own stone to practice the knapping aspects of this stuff.
Stone is found all around the world in different types. Do some research to what’s in your area or near you and see what you can come up with.
@@DonnyDustsPaleoTracks I have walked my stretch of river a couple of times. Based on the information I can find the good rock that natives used is sources a couple hours west of me as the crow flies.
🙃
Why 3/4 on the one feather? You have two of them splitting your knock which is 180° and then one at 90°. Wouldn't this make it pull a certain direction rather than splitting them 120°? Just wondering.
It's really a personal preference. While it *can* affect the flight pattern of the arrow you shoot, it really all depends on the rigidity of the feathers themselves (as well as the quality), the poundage of the bow and the situations you're suing the arrow for. For standard hunting, it's fine enough and it'll work accurately enough to hit the intended target. I'm a neat freak and like to try making them as even and evenly spaced apart as possible (and dye the cock feather so I can easily tell which feathers should be facing my cheek/chin), but it all depends on the shooter and how well you know your arrows and the way you shoot them
Edit: "cam" -> "can"
Awesome video would regular sinew work aswell?
Absolutely. Regular sinew will always work for attaching fletchings.
Do the feathers have to be from birds that can fly or can a chicken feather also be used an example
Chickens can fly, but the fletchings can even be made of flat plastic if you wished
Any feather will work. There’s plenty of artificial types of fletches that can be used. Tapes, plastic, fur, leaves, cloth…anything is possible. Feathers are really the best.
Hi 👋 Donny how are you doing
All is well. No issues!
Hi, would it be possible to fletch with leaves?
Absolutely…some leaves will work based on the durability of them. If it flys straight…rock it!!!
@@DonnyDustsPaleoTracks 🤙
I like your beard
How do you make your hide glue?
No worries…another video coming soon!
@@DonnyDustsPaleoTracks ok thanks
Birds of a feather, fetch together
Can you make a hunting video
I’m heading out on Monday for hogs with an Atlatl. Coming soon.
@@DonnyDustsPaleoTracks thankyou will definitely watch
In the southern hemisphere of the earth, feathers must be taken from the left wing, and in the northern hemisphere from the right wing. The action of the Coriolis force.)
So…I’ve never heard of that. I could be wrong. Having spent 20+ years making arrows from both left and right wing feathers I don’t think that’s a real consideration. Like I said…I could be wrong.
Don't burn feathers in the house. It doesn't smell great. Kinda like burned hair. The wife and/or GF will not be pleased. Bahaha. Great video.
Coke bottle and fishing line might work.
You ever find those feathers crawling with lice?
Sometimes, yes, you *can* get feathers or feathered wings with lice - but that all depends on three main factors:
1. The environment of the bird or the bird wing(s) either before or after they were collected
2. The quality of the feathers, if you purchase them (i.e., many sellers actually do have legal standards to sell by, if they want to make a business or keep it afloat, and make a profit. According to the Consumers Protection Act, sellers of poultry are required in the States (as well as in other countries such as the UK) to thoroughly wash, disinfect, and inspect the product before trade or sale - this is to ensure public health, and the overall well-being of the consumer and the seller alike) - so this point just really boils down to if whether the seller is in fact, doing his job (or part of it, as many sellers will have separate people or departments that do all that stuff for them and they inspect the final product to determine if it needs one more round)
And no. 3. Whether or not the bird was urban-living actually does play a significant factor. Pigeons for example, are usually riddled with lice and diseases because they are usually in urban areas where lots of people are. People have other animals, like cats and dogs. And lots of them. Lots more than they might find in other areas such as a tree in a forest for example (close contact - or rather, close *enough* contact is usually required). This means grass wherever those insects are where usually, dogs and cats and even some rodents for prey will usually be - but mostly in urban areas. If they're pigeon feathers or crow feathers, the chances do skyrocket
Although it is also worth noting that the majority of the time, it's not much of an issue. Mainly because most of the feathers or wings collected from birds and sold or traded on the market (as stated earlier), will usually almost always go through a process before they're ready for sale (unless the sellers are legitimately terrible people or are just lazy or both). And even then, they're very easy to take care of yourself. A bit of saltwater mixed with some lemon juice or vinegar or dawn dish soap will take care of the job pretty effectively. Just soak the wings or feathers (or wings of feathers) in a basin (or your sink) of hot saltwater and one of those three other items - experiment with them. Find which one you prefer to stick with - and let it soak for about 24-48hrs. It helps if you rinse the wings or feathers (or both) off and drain the basin to refill it with fresh disinfectants after the first 24hrs. After it's done, inspect it thoroughly (after letting it dry in the sun)
The liquid will cure the feathers and kill off any lice/mites/fleas and disease on contact, but you never know hoe deep those go into the feathers (which is why a 48hr soak is standard for many, and if needed, another 48hrs using the same method), and the UV rays of the sun will kill off any other bacteria that might've not been gotten to from the solution (that, and you won't have to hassle with trying to dry the wings or feathers yourself by hand)
If your spending hours just grinding the feathers for the arrow why not just use the time to make enough money to buy a dozen arrows that will be way better quality?
Imo, there's no greater quality an experience or arrow or bow or quiver in the world of archery other than the experiences of making them yourself - and the quality arrow/bow/quiver that is produced from just a man/woman with tools, hands and a heart to go in it
That, and because buying arrows gets expensive real fast. Those numbers will add very quickly - I've made my own archery setup (bows, arrows, and quiver) because it was significantly cheaper and I could yield many more for the same price (or for no price if it's hunting season). If you shoot bows, you're going to lose arrows regardless. They'll either bend or snap or just get sucked into the void and never be found - and it'll happen quite often
🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦👍👍👍🤝🤝🤝🥃🥃🥃
Just like politicians left wing right wing it does not matter
Well said…as long as they fly straight is all we can hope for.
Donny.... do you know Christ? He's your Creator. He's part of a trinity designed to show you the most love any man can feel. Please ask yourself if you think your heart is big enough to take in this whole world, and keep peace of mind. Christ is our Savior. Christ gives us ultimate love and peace when you study His word and get to truly know Him. I pray you will talk to the Lord and give your heart to Him. Read His book and live by His commandments. We must not eat dirty things, Donny. Like squirrel. Are you a Christian Donny? You'd be even more beautiful if you were. ✝️✌️
I think you should better your thumbnail/title game it does not match what you offer and the style is pretty dated i wish you could get more views in the futur
Fetching is fun, like when I made an arrow for the first time I felt so accomplished lol 😂 and it was like a bear using a buck knife
Amazing video. Thanks!