AncientCraftwork
|
Sarosh. I have done a few experiments with both my atlatl and my archery sets.
I can give you the quick conclusion right now, I am sticking with fletchings.
I've concluded it is more work for me to make a proper fletchless arrow or atlatl dart with the perfect FOC than to simply stick two feathers on the end. With the experience I gained from this, I think fletchings are in fact a simpler solution for getting straight flights. I think fletchless arrows can be done, but is it really worth all the effort and experimentation required ? Fletchings seem to correct a lot of imperfections in the arrow, while without fletchings an arrow seems much more sensitive to imperfections.
It's true that fletchings are sensitive to wear and tear, but it's not like we treat arrows like sling stones. Arrows are precision instruments that we only shoot when we are quite sure of a good shot. That a fletching or stone tip breaks does not matter at all if it results in a deer kill, or a duck.
Properly done fletchings can be quite a chore but primitive fletchings are very quick to install. 2 feather halves, slightly spiralled around the shaft, tightened with plant fibers in the front and back and some pitch glue, it's a quick procedure.
|