Fletching arrows using a simple Southeastern technique

I demonstrate how to use modern tools to fletch river cane (also applicable to wood) arrows using a technique present on Native American arrows in the Southeast and Midwest. I typically use turkey tail or secondary wing feathers for this and save primary feathers for atlatl darts (see my other video on radial fletching for atlatl darts, also applicable to arrows). I have also used crow tail feathers. This method is simple and effective and causes arrows to spin in flight. The slow motion clip of spinning arrow flight is from an archaeological projectile experiment on a bison carcass. The bison was an old female who died instantly just prior to the experiment and was butchered afterwards for meat and hide.
Tools:
-Scissors
-Sharp knife
-Sandpaper (60 or other rough grit)
Materials:
-Secondary wing feathers or tail feathers
-Hide glue (Titebond genuine, Old Brown Glue, granulated, or homemade)
-Natural unwaxed linen thread
-Shellac (premixed or flakes [the latter has longer shelf life])

[@claeslillieskold2398]

Thanks for the video! I will use this style on my next set of arrows. Good that you mentioned using a scissors. I've seen a lot of videos where they use a knife and been wondering why they didn't use a scissors.

[@granthooper2329]

Great analogy cutting the shaft of the feather is just like trying to cut fingernails with a knife

[@sofiagarrido4865]

Me gusta tu contenido saludos desde México 🇲🇽

[@anbilnithi2788]

Can you please tell me specifically which native Americans use this kind of arrow... I am M.A student this info will help my research on bow and arrow. So please.

[@brian3444]

I wanted to ask more about your bow I’ve seen it in your ig. page, it’s a beautiful design What wood did you use to make it? What’s the poundage?

[@ericmiller1100]

Are those secondary feathers? or tail feathers, if you mentioned this in the video I'm sorry. Also I shoot a short recurve (supermag mag 48), and I am interested in shooting assisted pinch grip. Is it hard to find an anchor spot on your face? Any problems with the string hitting your nose? Thanks Eric

[@LETME-kl9jg]

I"m not sure but didn"t they use tail feathers for this tecnicque?

[@j.shorter4716]

I’ve seen this style of fletching done two different ways. One way is like your method where the fletching is cupped in like this () when looking down the shaft. The other way is opposite where the fletchings are facing outward like this )( when looking down the shaft. I hope this makes sense. Does it work either way? I also haven’t figured out what the small flap on the bottom half of the fletching is for?

[@jordannewsom4578]

I’m sure it would work the other way, I’ve never tried the second one but I’d say the first one with the cup facing in () is gunna be a smidge more accurate. That little pocket created by the fletchings facing inwards like that I feel like adds to the stabilization because it traps a little pocket of air in there essentially adding more stabilization due to drag that that pocket creates. I make just as many two fletch arrows as I do three fletch and I’ve shot them A LOT and it’s been my experience that because of that little bit of extra drag these arrows tend to lose speed a smidge quicker and start dropping off a smidge sooner than the three fletch past about at and past about 20 yards but it’s honestly barely even noticeable unless you’re really looking for it.

[@j.shorter4716]

@@jordannewsom4578 I might have to make some three fletch and two fletch of the same weight and compare speeds over the chrono. However I don’t think I’m accurate enough to compare speeds at 20 yards without putting my chronograph in grave danger.

[@eddielopez6796]

Is that natural linen? If so where did you get it?

[@eddielopez6796]

AR.atlatl thank you!!!

[@matthewconroy3081]

Seen most fletched like this with shoots n shooting board shafts. CANE is easier to split n use 1 feather three arrows.... Sorry I’m sure u all know this but got to say something Other than nice feathers