Fletching question

[pastorfarley]

I was in a pro shop the other day researching fletching jigs and the man stated that all other things being equal a straight offset fletched arrow will get to the target before a helical arrow.

I understand the helical imparts faster spin, and that energy comes from somewhere. I would think a helical fletch would offer less air resistance than a straight offset of the same angle due to less turbulent airflow.

Is straight fletching really faster than helical

[Greg Krause]

Unless you have a very hard helical on a big fletch, you will never see a difference IMO

[BT]

Apr 22, 2008 16:15:47 GMT -5 pastorfarley said:

I was in a pro shop the other day researching fletching jigs and the man stated that all other things being equal a straight offset fletched arrow will get to the target before a helical arrow.

I understand the helical imparts faster spin, and that energy comes from somewhere. I would think a helical fletch would offer less air resistance than a straight offset of the same angle due to less turbulent airflow.

Is straight fletching really faster than helical

He is correct and Greg is correct.
The helical is a turn being forced into a solid air mass and therefore creates more drag.
That drag is what slows the arrow.

That said....the offset cannot compete for stability for the same reason.
Drag imparts control to one area of the arrow and the more control you start with , the harder it is to rob it away.

This can also be a disadvantage if the helical does not have a point of least resistance

A helical should only be used with feathers because at some point , outside resistance will cause the fletched area to become controlled and then it is left to the fletch to either conform or give to that resistance.
A plastic vane would not allow give and under those circumstance which would cause the arrow to veer violently.
By contrast , feathers would separate/collapse and allow the greater force to be defused.

[pastorfarley]

I get that.