Fletching primitive arrows (a better way)

primitivepathwa... Learn some helpful techniques for improving the fletching on your primitive arrows. These tips will help keep feathers from lifting off the shaft, even if your arrow is soaked in a rainstorm.

[@cliftut]

The spiral bind holding the length of the feathers down is neat. Seems very useful if a person doesn't have glue.

[@primitivepathways]

Thanks! I'm currently working on a DVD that will show you how to make primitive arrows from start to finish. I'll let you know when its done!

[@DJFlores01]

Nice tachnique, good pointers and some good ideas to include for my fletching, wetting the quill side was a new, inventive. Thanks for the vid.

[@AiAngel]

You are a good teacher. Thank-you for sharing this fine detail. -Bows-

[@stablemusics3243]

Bruh ai angel what the hell your doing or should i say shadow..

[@mrdato116]

@@stablemusics3243 lol

[@Underbottom.Sandydown]

"I gotta make a video on fletching... at least i don't have to put on pants!" Thanks for tips man!

[@primitivepathways]

I use turkey feathers primarily, though I've also used goose and heron and all work well. I've never used bamboo for arrows, but I'm sure it would work well. Rivercane is a native bamboo, so anything similar should work well.

[@colbyrichardson1060]

Hey someone else who uses elmers wood glue on thier arrow fletchings!! And people thought i was crazy, nice video keep em coming

[@primitivepathways]

I primarily use rivercane for my hunting arrows, but also use Giant Reed (arundo donax). Both are excellent. I cut those materials any time of year, leave them loose on my floor and straighten them as they dry (about 6 -8 weeks). They will warp much less if done that way.

[@verne51]

LOL I love your use of sandpaper and glue in your "primitive"arrows.

[@jake4194]

OK go ahead and make yours with fish bladder glue and shark skin you harvested with home made fishing tools then 👍

[@borisconevski528]

Your videos are the best and cos' of your videos I make the best arrows thank you very much

[@primitivepathways]

You can get it off the back strap, but you can get pretty long sinew off the legs too. You need to cut the sinew above the knee joint, then pull it through the joint, then cut it just above the toes. Let it dry and it then pound it and strip it into threads.

[@atascocalnative2376]

Awesome and very helpful video.Thank you Sir

[@ChadHClifford]

Thanks for the video. I have not tried these cane arrows --not found locally for me. I do not usually tie vanes this way but you inspired me to give it another go in my next batch.

[@primitivepathways]

@prince13x You must carefully heat the wood up without scorching it. Rub oil or fat on the wood, then slowly wave the portion you want to bend in and out of the heat source (campfire, gas stove, etc). Don't let the wood just sit in the heat or it will burn....you must heat the wood slowly. Once it's too hot to touch, use pot holders or gloves to protect your hands and bend the wood slightly past straight. Hold for several minutes until the wood begins to cool. If it isn't straight, redo it.

[@primitivepathways]

You can use any straight shoot or piece of bamboo. Just be selective and cut the straightest, most knot-free shoot you can find. Let it dry, straighten it, then put feathers on it and shoot it.

[@timothyzelensky383]

something I've always wondered is if birch bark would make good fetchings

[@501poundmiget]

i got a tip incase you're making these out in the woods, if you have a prefered camping spot with a pine or maple just take an axe and chop out a chunk from the tree and its gonna leek sap, it makes resin that u can boil and use as strong glue, once its dry it never comes off unless you boil it. good work :] i do the exact same thing actually. theyre better than store-bought arrows and its just so much more satisfying XD im actually trying to make good bows now, im not too bad but need tips.

[@MrHappyFucks]

Very nice arrows, Greetings from Mexico!

[@DrSekharBose]

Very fine and very skilled. Thanks Dr.S.C.Bose

[@ManyKnives]

man i haft to say you are great. i have learned so much from your videos. but would it be possible for you to to a video or a video series on making arrows from start to finish? i think most people would love to see that

[@macnudd]

Thank you for the river cane definition, bamboo. I do not believe it grows in upstate NY.

[@mac2k2020]

for us NYers there's always lowes dowel section lol we have lots of cedar, maples and hickory upstate

[@justinwayne3555]

this guy must have 99 fletching

[@primitivepathways]

@MrMadman1139 I sand my quill down so it is somewhat thin...that may be why they are a bit more flexible than yours. Also, the feathers I use are from young turkeys so the feathers aren't as thin as an adult turkey. Wild turkey feathers tend to be a bit stiffer and more rugged, so that may be another factor.

[@primitivepathways]

@MistaMojoe69 Sinew is tendons from the legs of deer, cows, horses, elk, moose, buffalo, antelope, etc.

[@michaelduncan2151]

Primitive Pathways.....You forgot to mention the hack strap sinyoo....

[@alzathoth]

another great video. I really enjoyed your bow making videos. well done! :)

[@primitivepathways]

@billykey123 They are called self bows. Or Primitive bows.

[@primitivepathways]

You can do that too. But I was trying to do it quickly to show the basics.

[@primitivepathways]

@umidontno040394 I use river cane for my arrows. I also use a plant called Giant Reed (arundo donax). It is an introduced exotic from Europe and it makes excellent arrows. But just about any straight shoot will make good arrows. Dogwood, privet, syringa, oceanspray, sourwood, viburnum, chokecherry, wild rose, chokecherry, among many others will make good arrows.

[@ethanwoolard9970]

Yeah I found that out, real sinew works a lot better but I haven't shot anything this year so far so I don't have any real sinew yet. Hopefully I'll get something next week but I love your videos man they really got my into primitive archery and stuff keep it coming

[@primitivepathways]

You can get all the sinew you need if you go to a deer processor. Just ask if you can have some legs. I've done that and ended up with over 200 lbs of deer legs. That's enough sinew to keep you busy for at least 3 lifetimes.

[@primitivepathways]

Any feather can be used. CHicken, pheasant, duck and turkey are good.

[@primitivepathways]

@bullseyebowandarrow No, I just cut the nocks in the reed and then wrap right in front with sinew. I've never had one break....

[@Soviless99]

gosh, last year I made 6 arrows from pine dowels that were straight grained. I had a feeling they would break but i really wanted to make arrows since i can never have enough arrows. They broke anyhow and i have their remains in my closet to remind myself of the first time I made arrows. DO not use pine dowels. unless your bow is 20 pounds since their spine weight is so damn low. I used the same wrapping technique you did but a little more messy with the wood glue I used and I didnt wet/cut the

[@CapoeiraBoricuaAyala]

Thanks for posting this Billy!

[@primitivepathways]

nope. Actually I used wood glue for convenience, but you can make hide glue by boiling squirrel, deer, or fish skin. It works really well and is surprisingly strong...

[@primitivepathways]

I get most of my feathers from turkey hunters who give them to me after they kill them. I also find feathers whenever I am walking in the woods, so I pick them up and use them.

[@501poundmiget]

and tashiro...you carve it. you take the straightest hardwood branch you can find (maple,birch,oak or balsam fir or willow work very well. depending on where you live you get some of these trees.) try making the arrow arrow around 2 feet.

[@primitivepathways]

@1998620Miki Absolutely. I use all my river cane arrows for hunting and I have killed numerous animals with them.

[@Falchion041]

Very informational, thanks for the video

[@forwatching6708]

Nice! I had not idea that carpenters wood glue was a primitive technology.... :/

[@signaturerush]

The primitive option is hide glue.

[@tannerevans1901]

Billy, I was wondering how you make your pine pitch

[@ndubstar]

Interesting how you make your arrows. I like the thinner profile of the feathers. Less drag. I though pinch grip 3 under. Therefore i dont have flaching at the knocks. Personally i would trim of the feather patrs at the knock but maybe you shoot different. Als my knocks dont stick onto the string. Thats why i pinch my thumb agaist the side of my pointer finger. I just do not trust it to stay and dont make my knocks to do that anyways.

[@Soviless99]

quill at the base of the fletching. now i will make sure I use the right spined shafts for my 40-50 lb bows and I have artificial sinew now not crappy sewing thread that I used before!

[@litoceras]

bellissimo filmato ,complimenti deve essere stato molto faticoso realizzarlo ,,,,,sei molto bravo e meticoloso sui dettagli ......

[@primitivepathways]

@NatureManGuy Yup, I sure do!!

[@konstantinvdovtsev2073]

Hi, Billy. Thnx for this detailed technique you showed. I found a lot of sence in what you recommend doing. I just wonder if you are going to post some more footage of your hunting episodes in addition to what you've published so far? Another question: I have not seen you using any quiver. Is that something kind of principal sticking to Natives best hunter rule (one arrow hunt\kill ) or just incidental? Will appreciate your response. And have a great day!

[@okerina]

So, fletchers in the past... is this how they did it? Would they collect their own wood? And how did they make arrows in bulk?

[@konstantinvdovtsev2073]

Marko, domisticated goose or turkey feathers will work well, I believe.

[@worldrular]

from what i know most bows are made from hardwoods pine is a soft wood look for hickory or osage orange there are plenty of good bow woods out there

[@kjackson525]

The video is great can you do one about gathering shafts

[@lilleydog]

@ohmr431. Just because they are primitive arrows does not mean they have to be made using primitive tools.

[@Hyperleaser]

So much thanks! I'm want to make this one also.

[@dougsmarch7268]

try an upside down hangmens knot then after that apply pich ot spruce gum...and deepen the groove in the front for air streaming

[@theweswillard]

Awesome work!

[@wrathlos]

obsidians damn sharp!

[@Uncle_Chuck]

Show us how well it shoots

[@wrathlos]

LOL! "Tonight were gonna fudge and just use this elmers wood glue."

[@primitivepathways]

I don't buy anything. I find shoots in the forest, cut them, dry them slowly, then straighten them and make them into arrows. That's why it's primitive...because nothing is store bought.

[@zeidamaster]

@RockingOrange11 You can use all type of thread or strings

[@GamePhysics]

These look great, but man, why do you change between using modern tools and old pieces of stone and stuff?

[@micahworth6534]

When you are looking for rivercane shafts, how do you know if they are all about the same 'spine' as they call it, to ensure an equal flight pattern among all the arrows. Or do you just take a shaft and make an arrow then learn how it flies with each arrow. I am not trying to be smart when I ask this, I have started to make my own arrows and finding equal spines in all my arrows has always stumped me.

[@primitivepathways]

YEs, chicken feathers will work well.

[@longbows]

Nice one!

[@vhram1]

Very nice !

[@BlinkshotProductions]

I got chickens and i was wondering if i was able to use there feathers or should i use like duck feathers or something

[@danielpenley9957]

Sinu is small strips of tendons.

[@501poundmiget]

O.o resin doesnt break off... did you ever work with resin? it only gets removed extremely hot water...besides,its harder to remove if you carve a small space for the feather to be placed and glued.

[@EgholmViking]

im no expert on the sinew bindings, but wouldnt it be easier if you just wrap the whole thing? like they did in the later periods?

[@cajc010]

@primitivepathways, i live in mass. And i want to make my own arrow heads but i cant find any flint! Can you do a video on how to find the right stone? And one on on how you make your arrows? Thanks

[@rickmikesell3567]

what do you do with the middle of the feathers if you don't have glue?

[@DanielBrowne-dz7we]

Great tutorial! Please explain the helix reference. I noticed the feathers don’t follow the axis of the arrow shaft, but lay on a helix line. Is this for spin? Why necessary?

[@primitivepathways]

I'm wearing gym shorts! Why you lookin at my crotch anyway???

[@1998620Miki]

@primitivepathways nice tutorial and tnx for reply :D

[@annonymousfox7515]

I am no expert on this but have you (if your using reed arrows) tried putting the feathers inside the arrow and having them stick through the wood.... this used to eliminate so many issues for me?.....any reason why someone would not want to do this?

[@seauke1]

still wondering how this is "a better way" It's now different than the way fletches have been done for many, many years. I've seen this same technique of wetting, stretching, gluing and wrapping done by indigenous people in several places around the world.

[@primitivepathways]

It's a better way because it keeps the fletching from lifting off away from the shaft, which is something I've seen on many Indian arrows in museums, especially those that were not glued down. Fletching applications differ in many ways, and in many cultures. Have you actually been around the world and personally observed how different indigenous people fletch their arrows? Did you ask them why they did it the way they did?

[@Yojimbo61]

+primitivepathways I havent been around the world and observed indigenous people but even I know those fletchings are way to close to the end of the arrow and will just get in the way of your fingers and even mess up your release or damage the fletchings especially for thumb release. I didnt have to travel around the world to know that I know that because I make bows and arrows.

[@caseyb1346]

+raphael green The space between the nock and the feather is about a finger's width which is enough. It is a bit of a close shave tho

[@teresagideon4737]

i have learned , thank you

[@jaksaradman1627]

feather wetted to the keratin of the spine feathers softens and receive the glue into the pores

[@dantematuszak9804]

Is it possible to make the fetching with non natural feathers?

[@primitivepathways]

Real sinew actually works better than fake sinew. Fake sinew is simply waxed nylon. I don't like fake sinew...it's not as strong and doesn't hold as well.

[@deadliftkid9032]

Quick question dont wanna sound stupid but instead of the sinew your using to tie down, could I use fishing line wrapped and coated with epoxy bug bond for flie tying? Stuff ya dry with a uv pen is it Strong enough ?

[@MJFAN666]

You re the expert but I feel like u made the back too heavy, :S What if u didnt do the last step of putting on the black thread. Would it make a difference?

[@nonprofit4095]

he took it off again

[@td2010ify]

my friend told me that if you you run the sinue over an open flame the heat will cause the sinue to contract. is this true or should i never do this?

[@shawnwilson755]

what kinds of plants native to the eastern states can i use to fletch arrows? that grows abundantly im from nc

[@colliebeakers]

Is there any substitute for sinew? It will be hard to harvest before I kill an animal.

[@MarkOfM2020]

One question : Where should I find the feathers, I live in Croatia, I have chicken but they don't have feathers that big. Plz answer

[@PeterSolerom]

where or how can I get sinew like that? I'm new to this, thanks :) (no archery stores where I live)

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

Ebay. Or just harvest from an animal.

[@mitchelwicox5116]

I did that with summer oak leaves it works for about 4 time before you have to re fletch

[@CombattRogue]

Those Scissors look really good and primitive how you make one of those :P

[@paulbarbat3150]

What kind of feather do you use ? What kind of feather should I use?

[@Dilipkumar-xm3vh]

Make a video on short arrows and how to shoot it

[@antonbolangofficial5172]

Thenk you tehnic Arow Brow ...ke

[@asdasddaefads6007]

Can we keep the thread on so that the fletchings stay on more

[@germanberserk]

what kind of wood should i use if i lie in florida ? and do you know any where i can learn primitive surive ?

[@ohmr431]

These are suppossed to be primitive arrows. I did not know that sandpaper, sicors, and glue grows on trees. I use tree sap for my fletching.

[@Ocelot429]

@primitivepathways So since you hunt with arrows. When you kill your hunt you save the leg tendons for making even more arrows?

[@aljazDrum]

can i use bull sinew instead of deer sinew? Please answer, because that's the last question I have before start making my arrows! THANK YOU!!!!!

[@ryansy7060]

AL Eferl bull sinew is pretty greasy so it requires extra cleaning so it doesn't rot.

[@xenoptryx]

why not use your "obsidian blade" to trim the feathers.

[@saturn47]

Why does your sandpaper look like that? Any reason? Do you buy it that way?

[@SirPraiseSun]

Do they have to lay curved or can you straighten them and estimate where to glue/ tie?

[@Hrocks2556]

What do you use for the flèche regular wood I want to make my bow and arrow completely from nature and no store bought things and I'm making it from pine is that a good tree to use?

[@jzoer392]

i break too many arrows where i live shooting at stuff in the field behind my house i always end up snapping stone points.

[@worldrular]

*sinew it is basicly animal tendon like deer or elk

[@ROTCcadet768]

Awesome man!