Fletching

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

For the English village see Fletching, East Sussex.

Feather fletches

Plastic fletches

Fletching is the ancient art of aerodynamically stabilizing arrows from materials such as feathers or modern 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.

As a noun, fletching refers to the fins attached to an arrow; traditionally, this consists of three matched half-feathers attached near the back of the arrow's shaft, and equally spaced around its circumference. 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. Flights are traditionally attached with silk thread but simpler methods are also used, such as gluing.