Joe(thebow)M
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Warbow ArrowsWhen time permits, I search "YouTube" for posted videos of English longbows and warbows. I like to see what new video info has come along that's enjoyable to watch.
Anyway, one thing I've noticed is that in the Warbow vids, those folks are always using white feather fletching (all three feathers). I always figured it was common practice to have an off-color feather for stringing purpose? Any thoughts on the reasoning behind all white feathers for Warbow Arrows?
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segolden
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 Good question, wondered about that myself. Sheer speculation here, that it's a tradition left over from the royal military edicts which set standards required of suppliers of weaponry to the armies, the costs to be paid for such items, and the related ease of finding proper fletching from numerous sources for large numbers of arrows. Considered just from a logistical point of view, the crown wasn't going to pay beyond a certain set price per arrow, and white fletching had several advantages including simple visibility of trajectory on the battlefield (same reason we use tracers today). Adding the extra work and cost of colored feathers would raise the price, slow production, and lessen combat efficiency. There's probably more to it than this, such as the fact that goose fletching seems more durable under field conditions than others, but it's a guess anyway. 
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sid
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Was having this discussion with a few people the other day. Several of them all use the same colour fletching. They either use index nocks or just get used to putting the arrow on the bow the right way. If you look at it there is only one way the arrow can go really and still line up with the string. Shooting as many arrows as a middle ages bowman would over the course of his life I doubt they would even have given it a second thought
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fred
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Most warbow people shoot 1/2" DIA full length shafts 7" to 8" Fletchings natural goose feathers and those tend to be white.As they tend to be very traditional hope that my help your problem.
Fred
PS the bows are normally 90-180lb. draw weight 
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fred
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| segolden wrote: | | Good question, wondered about that myself. Sheer speculation here, that it's a tradition left over from the royal military edicts which set standards required of suppliers of weaponry to the armies, the costs to be paid for such items, and the related ease of finding proper fletching from numerous sources for large numbers of arrows. Considered just from a logistical point of view, the crown wasn't going to pay beyond a certain set price per arrow, and white fletching had several advantages including simple visibility of trajectory on the battlefield (same reason we use tracers today). Adding the extra work and cost of colored feathers would raise the price, slow production, and lessen combat efficiency. There's probably more to it than this, such as the fact that goose fletching seems more durable under field conditions than others, but it's a guess anyway. |
Do not forget most arrow shot in a battle did not come back they where either in the mark or the ground trampled down.There is a differance in a war arrow and hunting arrow.I always use the same colour in all my arrows.
Fred
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Joe(thebow)M
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When one thinks about it there really is no reason to use two different
color feathers on an arrow. Once a person realizes the way the arrow
is indexed to the string shot after shot, the off color feather is nothing
more then a quick reference. How fast does a person have to shoot,
and how many seconds does a person really lose rolling the arrow to
index correctly with the string? I doubt much time at all.
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Chedawan
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I shoot my arrows all with same coloured fletchings. Used to have an index coloured cock fletch, but gave that up when I moved to spin wings (different colours of vane indicate different drag properties, so you really have to shoot same colour flethes) when I moved back, I just stuck with it, and I've never conciously had to think about which way to nock an arrow.
I make my wooden ones with different coloured cock/hen fletches though, because I'm usually playing about withy a colour theme, rather than trying to make life easier for myself.
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heavybows
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This is a light weight warbow 120# Marlon
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Fanatical_Fletcher
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Hi Marlon, this is Et Tu Brute from the English warbow forum. Lovely bow there, what's that one made from? If it's Yew the sapwood is pretty thick.
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heavybows
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Hey Dave Thats made of Eastern red cedar. look at cresting arrows i put some of my arrows on there.
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Fanatical_Fletcher
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Very nice, guess this is the one you mentioned a while back on the warbow forum? How does this one shoot, does it perform well? Who made it? The cresting on your arrows is really brilliant, must take a long time!
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heavybows
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Thank you. That bow shoots real nice. Yes the cresting is alot of work.
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