[Addison C. de Lisle]

Hello all,
I'm currently researching traditional fletching as I'm trading some forged work for a traditional bow, and am planning on making arrows to go with it. I've found that verdigris was mixed with the rabbit hide glue to stop it from being eaten by insects, and I was wondering if there's something that could be done for the feathers as well (for the same reason), traditionally or otherwise? I am considering a spray fixative, like what they use for pastels, to seal the feathers. Any suggestions are appreciated, and many thanks in advance!

[R. Kolick]

I've been making my own arrows for the last few years and I've never had any problems with the feathers the most damage that they've taken has been from shooting them a lot not insect issues i think that the reason that they used something to keep bug s from eating the arrows was because at least in England the king would keep a very large stash of arrows to equip his archers with on demand and the bugs could do real damage while the arrows where in storage thats just my thought though

[Mark Griffin]

One of the problems is once you start applying anything to the feathers they loose some of the natural ability to be smoothed/preened back into shape. I have a bundle of arrows here that have been in a shed for about 20 years and have no signs of damage. They are kept in a replica Mary Rose arrow chest and seem to be perfectly happy despite being in not ideal temperatures and humidity.

If you do get signs of insect damage put them in a chest freezer for a few days and treat the storage area.

[Terry Thompson]

As Mark has suggested, you're probably better off just protecting the arrows as a whole (put them in a cedar box?), if you're actually having insect issues. Anything you apply to the fletches will interfere with the way the 'zipper-like' barbules latch together.

-Terry

[Mark Griffin]

Good suggestion Terry,

mine are in oak or pine but well oiled, maybe critters aren't keen on linseed fumes. If I had a problem putting a cedar block in would be sensible, or even a few spots of cedar oil.

[Robert MacPherson]

The thing most likely to eat you feathers are dermestid beetles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermestidae They'll eat dried hair, wool, skin, rawhide, feathers, horn, baleen, and tortoise shell. They prefer dark corners and closed spaces, so if you have your arrows sitting out on display, they are unlikely to bother them. If, on the other hand, you have them in a loosely closed box or other closed secluded but non hermetic place, there is a better chance of trouble. The smell of ceder will keep them out, as will naphthalene "moth balls". If you already have an infestation, however, those things will not kill them.

Now, permethrin .... that will kill them outright. If you put your arrows in a tightly sealed space with one of those plastic flea collars for dogs you can be pretty sure you will have no further trouble with insects. The tighter the air seal, the longer the collar will last and the less you will be exposed to the pesticide.

Here is a pic of what dermestids did to my horn nocks while I was not looking.



They did the same thing to my horn framed medieval spectacles.


Mac (a former entomologist)

[Mark Griffin]

but remember you cant shoot pesticide tainted arrows at the french, its not Christian. The Turks a different matter of course..

[Addison C. de Lisle]

Thanks for the information everyone, proper storage sounds like a much better option.

I won't be getting my bow until sometime this summer after I leave France, so temptation averted, hahaha!