Stickbow Target Archery Forums

Seeing A.C.'s post about shooting in the rain, got me thinking. I'm considering trying vanes instead of feathers for the upcoming NAA Outdoor Championships in Reading, PA. I've never shot anything but feathers off my longbow, but you're allowed to use an elevated rest in the Modern Longbow Class and I'm thinking of switching to vanes, just in case of rain. (Might also help me reach 100yrds in the York Round and 180 in the Clout.) I'm also thinking of trying Kurly Vanes on my Redlines in the Masters' Recurve Class which I'll be shooting for the first time this year, being new to Olympic Recurves. Is there anything special I should know about fletching them? Will my Blitz or Jo-Jann work for Kurlys? What suggestions can some of you Recurve shooters offer me.

I used a Bitzenberger to apply Kurlys -- because of their curl, they didn't align properly. But, if you use glueless nocks, that is no problem; after you have finished fletching, just twist the nocks until you have the alignment you want.

I use a Martin M8 polycarb single vane jig to draw the 3 vane lines on a shaft using a PenTel silver lining pen. I lay down one premeasured length of doublestick tape. I put the vane in a fletching clamp or a large 3" paper clasp, wipe the mating surface on a clean paper towel that's got a hint of naptha, and align the vane to the line by eye. Don't forget the lining tape to secure both ends of the vanes - I use a teeny drop of CYA on each cut end of lining tape, to further secure it from peeling off. Overall, this has been the easiest, fastest way for me to appl Kurlys or SpinWings.

If the arrow has glue on nocks, I line the shaft with the nocks pressed tight, on but not glued - I align and glue them on after the vanes are stuck down. Not an issue with "twisty" nocks.

I have no problem shooting vaned carbons off a shelf - recurve or longbow, barebow aiming (of course!) ... YMMV!

Thanks guys, that's the info I was looking for.

Lancaster Archery carries the Beiter "Triliner" used to mark your shafts and "Wing Holders" to hold and apply 1 3/4" spin wings. Really makes the job easy.