Parchment use for flight arrows.

mikekeswick · Post by **mikekeswick** » Sat May 04, 2013 9:31 am

I've just happened across a supplier of quality sheepskin parchment and was wondering if anybody knew exactly how it was used for flight arrow fletches by the Turks. I know the size and shape to cut it to but how was it glued to the shaft?
Any help gratefully recieved! Thanks

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Mon May 06, 2013 5:32 am

In the ones I examined in the Grayson Collection, the base of the fletch was split, while it was wet, to a depth of between 0.5-1 mm. This was spread out to form a base for gluing. Ordinary animal glue was used for attaching the fletches to the arrow. I have an arrow with type of fletching, but it looks to me as if it had been repaired by someone not as good as the original fletcher.

The shaftment under the fletching was prepared by wrapping it with an almost invisible layer of sinew in glue. The strands are less than the thickness of a human hair. I have no idea how to do this. Fortunately they were not all made this way as I have some that were simply sized with hide glue with no visible fibres in it.

mikekeswick · Post by **mikekeswick** » Mon May 06, 2013 6:40 am

Thank you Bede that is most helpful. A firsthand viewing is very useful. When you say split I take it you mean between the layers and then opened out to give an upsidedown letter T shape.
I have ordered some and will let you know how the experiments go.

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Tue May 07, 2013 1:39 am

The parchment fletching I saw was very thin, but extremely stiff. Since parchment is effectively rawhide, it is hard to cut so you need an exceedingly sharp knife.

You are right about the inverted T shape. The bars of the T are less than 0.5 mm, only visible close up. I suggest you practice on a sheet of paper. Razorblades work for the cutting.