After trimming the edges of the feathers, roll the rounded side of a field point over the tapered ends using firm pressure.

Renowned bowyer Johnny Snyman shares some of his expertise with readers of Africa’s Bowhunter.

Prevent misaligned nocks when making wooden arrows
After glueing on plastic nocks, let your arrows stand in a vertical position till the glue inside the nocks has set. This will prevent the nocks from becoming misaligned. An easy way to mount your arrows vertically is to drill a series of arrow-diameter-sized holes into a 50 millimetre thick pine board, then stand the arrows in the holes.

Revive weather-beaten feather fletches
Are your feather fletches flattened after being shot through a damp bale of straw? Or perhaps you were brave enough to stump shoot in the rain and now your feathered arrows look like drowned rats. This can be remedied. Boil some water in a kettle or pot and slowly rotate the feathered ends over the steam. Steaming will cause the barbs and hooklets in the vanes to swell and straighten. Within seconds the feathers on your arrows will be revived and look as new. Allow them to dry naturally – or if you’re in a rush, use your wife’s hair dryer.

Give new feather fletches a neat and finished look
After you have fletched you arrows, taper down the leading edges of the feathers with a razor blade. Next, take another fieldpoint-tipped arrow and roll the rounded side of the field point over the tapered ends of the feathers using firm pressure. This creates a smooth transition of the feather edges onto the arrow shaft. Always apply a small bead of fletching glue to both ends of the feather. This will create a neat finish to your fletching and will also protect the leading edges from damage when the arrow is shot through underbrush and target butts.