Bud Fields tests the Dial-a-Fletch from Bitzenburger

I started toying with arrow building and arrow repair back in 1964, and I owned several different types and makes of arrow-fletching devices. If I heard someone was using a certain fletching device, I talked with them and tried to decide which one I wanted to get.

It was very confusing. I have owned so many that I struggle to recall, but I knew I enjoyed working on, building, and making repairs to arrows when it became necessary.

In the early 1940s, Henry Bitzenburger, who was a perfectionist in everything he did, came up with a device to provide a better way of attaching feathers or vanes to arrow shafts. He patented this jig under the name Professional Fletchmaster, and over the years, it found its way into the hands of everyday people who enjoyed arrow fletching as well as to the biggest manufacturers of arrows all over the world, including India, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Sweden, and other countries. Today, the Bitzenburger Arrow Fletching Jig is the No. 1 seller.

Back in the mid-1960s, a friend of mine had an archery shop. Due to health issues, he liquidated his business, and I decided to purchase some of his arrow-building and repair components. Golly, he had arrow straighteners, arrow cresters, feather burners, arrow spine checkers, assorted arrow points, feathers and two Bitzenburger Arrow Fletchers.

I felt like a kid with a new toy. He showed me how to scrape and clean arrow shafts, and how to prepare them for attaching the fletching. I got to where I was really impressed with the two fletchers.

I started working on my own arrows and tried to improve my skills. Before long, I was doing arrow building for not only myself, but for my wife, my family members, and a few archers who lived in my neighborhood. There were no archery shops within close proximity. I even had several friends at work who found out I fletched. They started coming to me with their arrows to repair.

Eventually, I developed a few health issues that made me take a brief absence from archery. I was doubtful about returning to the sport I had loved, but I regained my strength and started over again. I purchased several cheaper, plastic, arrow fletchers but was never really satisfied.

I knew I would never be content building and repairing arrows that I would be ashamed of, and it was just a matter of time before I ordered a brand-new Bitzenburger. I knew the unparalleled simplicity and precision settings on the fletcher made it possible for an arrow to shoot straight.

The Bitzenburger Fletching Jig is of the highest quality and is made of a long-lasting, die-cast, zinc alloy. It is extremely durable alloy. It will last forever. There are large dials on the top and bottom of the magnetic holder to make it easy to adjust the angle of your fletching within seconds. You have the option of a straight, offset, or true right or left helical fletch.

The clamp is held at a 45-degree angle so you have a clear view of the fletching at all times. It also has a self-centering shaft that will accept the shaft sizes available today. This allows you to create an array of arrows for any type of shooting.

There is a permanent horseshoe magnet that is very strong and allows for a very precise and uniform placement for all feathers and plastic vanes. The patented, functional features work in unison with this magnet. It is the most expensive and important part of this tool, and great care should be taken to protect it. A metal keeper on the clamp should be across the face of the magnet at all times.

With just a slight screw adjustment you can vary the degrees of your feather/vane spacing. You also have the option of doing a standard three-fletch/120 degrees, four-fletch/75x105 degrees, and four-fletch/90 degrees. They also have a crossbow nock receiver indexed at 120 degrees for three-fletch spacing based in 22/64 diameter shafts, which is recommended for straight clamps.

There are several informative videos on YouTube about setting up the fletcher and how to use and maintain it. You also receive instructions in the box. Bitzenburger Machine and Tool Inc. is located in Grand Ledge, Mich., just west of Lansing. Their arrow fletcher is 100-percent made in the U.S.A. You can check them out at their website: http://www.bitzenburger.com.

Since purchasing my brand-new Bitzenburger, I have sold my other arrow fletchers. While they did the job, I prefer the higher-quality components and adjustability options on the Bitzenburger. It makes it easier to build new arrows and re-fletch other arrows for me and my friends. There is absolutely no comparison.

If you are serious about building arrows and re-fletching arrows, you owe it to yourself to be able to accomplish the job and be proud of it. Check out the Bitzenburger Arrow Fletcher. I would easily rate this device a 10 out of 10. I am certain I will buy a few more of them!