Just for the purposes of discussion -- can anyone tell me the advantage --or lack there of -- for Left Hand fletch over Right Hand. I think the hunting world in general has agreed that for hunting grade/wt arrows that Helical fletch is the way to go - but - RH vs LH?? I am thinking that many many moons ago there may have been a reason for LH but I am lost as to the rationale on this. I have fletched RH for several decades (UGH!) but am curious if there are any LH individuals out there --------and why??

Right hand only because when target shooting your tip don't unscrew. Other than that there is no difference.
And I don't use helical, 2" Blazers with as much offset as I can get and still get full base contact to glue to shafts.

I think lefty trad bow hunters used LH.

I use 6 degree right helical with 5" vanes. I have clearance issues with Blazers on my bows/rests.

The reason for one side or the other was that arrow makers bought all one side for their jigs and we were left with the other. Since feathers are left wing and right wing, they had to be separated. With plastic vanes, they can be put on either way. There is no difference in the way they shoot other then the heads unscrewing. Just tighten them more!

I was told years ago while in AZ by a guy I worked with in a bowshop that I needed LH helical since I shot Left handed. I laughed.

All of my arrows are 6 degree R helical and I shoot just fine. I shoot 4" vanes.

Left wing or right wing makes no real difference to my target shooting.

It does make a difference how a broadhead flies though.

quote:

Originally posted by MickinColo:
Left wing or right wing makes no real difference to my target shooting.

It does make a difference how a broadhead flies though.

Please explain -- why RH vs LH would make a difference with a broadhead -- just curious

Depends on wind direction, I guess.

quote:

Originally posted by Woodmnctry:
Please explain, why RH vs LH would make a difference with a broadhead -- just curious

It doesn't.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:

quote:

Originally posted by Woodmnctry:
Please explain, why RH vs LH would make a difference with a broadhead -- just curious

It doesn't.

I totally agree --but -- was just curious as to MickinColo's theroy -- I am always open to learning -- only been chucking sharp sticks at critters for some 40 years but I never turn down the chance to learn something new

I never turn down a chance to learn something new either.

But, I can tell you after shooting arrows fletched in RH, and LH, both helical, and offset with fixed blades and mechanicals, that there is NO difference whatsoever so long as the BOW IS WELL TUNED-- cam timing is good.

My brother shoots RH, and he tried LH fletched arrows with broadheads....same POI. Just doesn't matter. The key is a tuned bow and a tuned arrow in flight.

If it made a difference then someone better tell all the left handed quarter backs that they'll have to learn to throw RH.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:

quote:

Originally posted by Woodmnctry:
Please explain, why RH vs LH would make a difference with a broadhead -- just curious

It doesn't.

Actually it could. There are some broadheads on the market that incorporate a slight rt. hand helical into the blades.

Arch Gassman, an old archer who used to run a shop in San Antonio used to tell me that since I was a lefty, I should use left helical fletching with LH feathers. Something about the rotation of the shaft would make the fletch clear the arrow rest. Of course, that was back in the days of recurves and finger shooters. Not sure how it affects today's shooters and equipment.

It didn't in the old days either. The proper arrow does not touch the rest no matter which way it turns. Consider the distance from nock release to the bow, how much arrow turn can you get in that short of a distance? Nothing more then an old wives tale.

quote:

Originally posted by Walker:
Actually it could. There are some broadheads on the market that incorporate a slight rt. hand helical into the blades.

You mean like the Crimson Talon? The most overpriced broadhead at $44 for 3? Nothing more than a Muzzy with bent blades. And probably one of the biggest ripoffs in archery history.

You are right though, I suppose those style broadheads would need arrows fletched to the same spin. I didn't consider that.

If a bow is well tuned, you don't even need a helical. Several target shooters only use slight offset.

The only reason I can see the need for strong helicals is to take up for minor tuning issues.

I shoot slight offset straight on my arrows and pretty much all heads fly true when the inserts are correctly glued in the shaft.

Good Luck

Reloader

Reloader, I agree, except for the part about not needing a helical at all. You are absolutely right about a well tuned bow. But when it comes to large broadheads, I prefer a helical to stabilize that arrow once in flight. A fast spin does a better job depending on the broadhead.

Doc,

I guess it could depend on the size of the head but, I get fieldpoint accuracy w/ 1-1/4" dia fixed heads from my Mathews LX using straight vanes w/ about 1 degree offset and I personanlly don't feel I would ever need a CD larger than that.

I have shot bows that were nearly impossible to tune perfectly true and I do agree that a helical can help in those situations.

Have a Good One

Reloader

Dustoffer is right about shooting off the shelf on recurves or stickbows. A lefthanded shooter should shoot left wing/helical in those set-ups.
I've gone exclusively to 2" Blazers with a little rt hand offset and mine and all 3 of my kids arrows. No control problems at all shooting 100gr. Muzzys

LW/LH, RW/RH is all BS.
Tune your bow. If its tuned you should be able to shoot bareshaft at 20yds. I've heard the statement about shooting a Right Helical so it comes off the rest...does your trad bow really shoot that fast that it can get a few rotations before it clears the shelf? Personally I shoot 4 fletch with a slight offset...works for me.

More years ago then I will say, I used to shoot bare target shafts to 60 yd's. That took a LOT of tuning. I got carried away once and tried a bare shaft with a broadhead from my Wing recurve. It went dead center bull at 40 yd's. Next time out, I tried it again!!!! It went down halfway, went straight up in the air, turned left and all I seen was a flicker as it went over the woods about 200 ft up and over 300 yd's away. It never slowed down and might be in orbit. Sure glad I was out in the country with no houses in miles.