WHAT'S UP WITH EXCALIBUR'S VANE COLORS?

Grizzly Adam · Post by **Grizzly Adam** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:26 am

I'm not one to criticize, usually, but I do have one question about the bolts supplied with my "RIGHT STUFF" accessory package:

WHAT'S UP WITH THE BLACK, BROWN, AND ORANGE VANES?

Think of it. A crossbow, made for hunters by hunters, promoted, advertised, and packaged with hunting in mind ... supplied with arrows that are, in combination, grey, black, brown and orange!

Could it be a difference in hunting philosophy?

I prefer white fletching, as in my experience it shows up best in flight (note how many hunting videos feature white fletching) ... I even like white fletching with a white crown dip and white nocks!

White or bright fletching shows up better when you're looking for your bolts, too ... and it shows you more about where your arrow passed through the animal.

But BLACK, BROWN, and ORANGE? On a grey shaft? Could there be a combination more likely to disappear in flight, hide during recovery, and show little about where the arrow passed through?

What colors are most often found on a forest floor in fall and winter? Lots of shades of black, brown and orange on the ground during hunting season, aren't there?

I just don't get it. I was in a Bass Pro Shops last week, looking to buy some more bolts ... and there was a rack of Excal bolts ... all fletched in BLACK, BROWN, and ORANGE!

Anyone know what the thinking is? Does Bill believe it's best that shafts blend in with fall foilage? Did they get a bulk purchase price on black, brown and orange vanes? What gives?

NOTE: This is an entirely good-natured complaint! I'm not peeved, or discontent. Just curious. Seems like a strange color combo to me.

Other than that, kudos to Excal in every way. Good bows. Good company.

But those fletches ...

Grizz

crazyfarmer · Post by **crazyfarmer** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:41 am

i have the same opinion also, but its not just the gol tip bolts, its all other you buy off the shelf. They are usually funky dark colors you cant event see. Fine for pratice though;)

this was why i got my own jog and did some for myself.... but you are right, the white shows up the best in the woods in my opinion. Plus it shows blood really well;)

all of mine from now on will have white wraps and blaze, neon green, or white vanes.

I just did those yesterday and went hunting, i noticed you would really see the white 3 times better than the orange one just on my quiver at dark...

Digger · Post by **Digger** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:44 am

Could be the more bolts that you can't find the more they sell. I like to strip the old vane off and replace them with feathers.

bj · Post by bj » Wed Oct 25, 2006 8:25 am

Digger wrote:Could be the more bolts that you can't find the more they sell.

ah, come on Doug...you are kidding aren't you ??

TPM · Post by **TPM** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 9:51 am

Could it be a difference in hunting philosophy?

Yup. Up here you can have snow in November (we had some in October already). Archery season goes until Decmber 31st so there is a good chance we'll be hunting with snow cover ground. The last thing you want on an arrow in those conditions is white. Early season I can see where white would be great but once the snow falls forget it. My fletching is always bright green or orange. Ideally having two sets, one for early season and one for snow conditions, would be great. I can see your point though and perhaps Excalibur marketing could take a few notes that different parts of the continent have different requirements for this sort of thing.

TYE · Post by **TYE** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 11:29 am

When I got mine I got the Yellow/Black/White vanes. I don't mind them, they look pretty cool.

Grizzly Adam · Post by **Grizzly Adam** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 12:39 pm

Snow! That makes sense. Hadn't crossed my mind. This is not a snowy region. If we get a 1/2" a year, we've had a lot of snowfall!

I can see that point easily enough. But why not have a compromise color that would show up in both situations, like a brilliant neon green, or all bright blue, or something? I know people like "woodsy" colors, but I don't think it makes a bit of difference to the deer, especially when the fletches are on a bolt loaded on a crossbow. We could always hide the rest!

Grizz

TPM · Post by **TPM** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 2:28 pm

I don't think there is a standard set of colours for the Right Stuff package. My package had green and orange and my wifes package came with blue and white fletching. They were even bought at the same store.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 2:51 pm

As was mentioned, the colour of fletching can be and probually would be different for what everyone wants.

I have choosen Orange/Black fletch for my arrows now. But when I am turkey hunting, I want a different colour, a dull blue colour. I did not go for a solid orange, because I liked the combination and how it is broke up enough to act like a camo, but still enough for me to be able to see, even in flight.

For me, white is not good because of the snow, and the orange is normally not good for only a very short period of time, after the leaves first fall. But I have found that the Black/Orange combo covers just enough situations to best suit me.

I have seen many different colour combos in the fletching (from Excal) in the stores. It might have been that your stores only had that one style left.

But like I mentioned above, the choice of fletching is an individual choice and will vary greatly.

huntertroyjack · Post by **huntertroyjack** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 3:37 pm

i also bought the Right Stuff Package with my Exocet 200,and my fletching's are yellow,light green,and dark green!

saxman · Post by **saxman** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 5:34 pm

I have the same bolts as you grizz and have thought of the same thing.
I would like to wrap and refletch with White and maybe a safty yellow band.

Golden Eagle · Post by **Golden Eagle** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:50 pm

You got that right. I was very dissappointed with the fletching color for hunting.So I changed it.[img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/ ... G_0552.jpg[/img][/img]

Curdog · Post by **Curdog** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:46 pm

All I know is if you dont roll your own, give BJ or GREYWOLF a yell, they have the most impressive arrows, and most accurate arrows I have ever seen or shot!!! Curdog

crazyfarmer · Post by **crazyfarmer** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:48 pm

Curdog wrote:All I know is if you dont roll your own, give BJ or GREYWOLF a yell, they have the most impressive arrows, and most accurate arrows I have ever seen or shot!!! Curdog

I learned from the best lol.. grey has been giving me lessons over the phone

Bill T · Post by **Bill T** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 8:49 am

We do vanes in a variety of options to suit all hunters, from all out bright stuff to camo like the ones mentioned. The only option I won't do for general sale is white/white/white. The reason is that walking out in low lighrt with a quiver full of white arrows you could be mistaken for a deer by some dumbarss hunter, and I don't want any part of that. Personally I use a white fletch for arrow #1 cause I often am doing video, and carry 3 camo colored arrows as backup.