Tidying up dog-eared fletchings

[Snarkhunter]

The feather fletchings on my son's longbow arrows are looking somewhat tatty and dog-eared. Is there a way of bringing them back into a neater and tidier condition?

[clickerati]

If you hold them over some stream, they spring back to life!

[Flying Whale]

Originally Posted by clickerati

If you hold them over some stream, they spring back to life!

I think you mean steam, unless the stream is very hot...

Not tried this, but I am sure Clicki is right.

For simple running maintenance I found that just running a finger down them, so that the little hooks on each filament can grab the neighbouring filament worked well.

Must try the steam trick sometime.

[Snarkhunter]

Clicki, thanks for that - the steam worked a treat and has smartened the fletchings up nicely.

FW, I had dried smoothing with my fingers but it wasn't working, but thanks for the reply. I'll try and encourage my son to smooth them with his fingers then maybe they'll stay in better shape.

[clickerati]

Originally Posted by Flying Whale

I think you mean steam, unless the stream is very hot...

did pointing that out make you feel better?
sheesh...can't a girl make a typo now and then???

[Flying Whale]

Originally Posted by clickerati

did pointing that out make you feel better?
sheesh...can't a girl make a typo now and then???

It was not pointed out in an unpleasant way. I am all for trying to be positive, but don't feel that this was in any way wrong to do, or negative. Some people actually find typos can brighten their day.

I also was positive towards your suggestion.

If that isn't enough, then I will shut up and stop posting....

[clickerati]

oh come on...don't throw a wobbly. just didn't think pointing it out was necessary. you knew what i meant.

[Flying Whale]

Originally Posted by clickerati

oh come on...don't throw a wobbly. just didn't think pointing it out was necessary. you knew what i meant.

You say that I know what you meant, but to be honest it wasn't that clear to me.

It may not have been necessary to point it out. I thought it was an amusing typo....having fun with words, not making fun of the poster.

We clearly differ in our views here, but once again it seems things can got lost in translation when the words are simply on the page, and we are not interacting face to face.

[Mad Archer]

I've always found steaming feather fletchings gives the best result, even when they look as if they've seen better days.

Just one word of warning. When you steam them you'll get some condensation on the shafts. I always leave them out for it to evaporate before I put the arrows away, as I don't want them in a damp environment.

[englishwarbow]

Yep steam or stream them. Failing that just refletch!