Feather fletches

Plastic fletches

Fletching is the ancient art of aerodynamically stabilizing arrows from materials such as feathers or plastics. The English-language surname "Fletcher" derives from this term, meaning "one who fletches." It is sometimes generally used for an arrow-maker, not only for someone restricted to this step of the process. The word is related to the French word flèche, meaning "arrow," via Old French; the ultimate root is Frankish *fliukka. Fletching is a village in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England. ... Fletch may refer to: Fletch, a novel, series of movies, and the main character in mystery/comedy novels written by Gregory Mcdonald. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1536x1024, 570 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Archery Fletching ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1536x1024, 570 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Archery Fletching ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,536 × 1,024 pixels, file size: 254 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,536 × 1,024 pixels, file size: 254 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... This article is about the weapon. ... Old French was the Romance dialect continuum spoken in territories corresponding roughly to the northern half of modern France and parts of modern Belgium and Switzerland from around 1000 to 1300. ... Old Frankish was the language of the Franks. ...

As a noun, fletching refers to the fins or vanes attached to an arrow, each of which fins is known as a fletch. Traditionally, the fletching consists of three matched half-feathers attached near the back of the arrow or dart's shaft that are equally spaced around its circumference. Today, modern plastics may be used instead. Fletches are traditionally attached with silk thread but simpler methods are also used, such as gluing. The fletching is used to stabilize the arrow through air resistance in flight. Some fletches act to impart a spin on the projectile, but all are there to impart a drag on the tail of the projectile to ensure that it does not tumble during flight.

More generally, it can refer to any structures added to a projectile in order to aerodynamically stabilize its flight, many of which resemble arrows in form and function. For instance, the feathers at the butt end of a dart (of the type cast using an atlatl) are very similar in purpose and construction to those used in arrows. Most of the techniques of fletching were likely adapted from earlier dart-making techniques. The fins used to stabilise rockets also work in a similar manner. A projectile is any object sent through space by the application of a force. ... For the Daft Punk song, see Aerodynamic (song). ... Look up stability in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Darts are missile weapons, designed to fly such that a sharp, often weighted point will strike first. ... An atlatl (from Nahuatl ahtlatl ; in English pronounced [1] or [2]) or spear-thrower is a tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in spear-throwing, and includes a bearing surface which allows the user to temporarily store energy during the throw. ... A fin is a surface used to produce lift and thrust or to steer while traveling in water, air, or other fluid media. ... This article is about vehicles powered by rocket engines. ...

Further reading

• Massey, Jim. (1992). "Self Arrows" in The Traditional Bowyer's Bible - Volume One, (Jim Hamm, ed.). Guilford: The Lyons Press. ISBN 1-58574-085-3