Fine-grained (average grain size 1nm to 1,000nm) metallic coatings optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein are disclosed. The fine-grained metallic materials are significantly harder and stronger than conventional coatings of the same chemical composition due to Hall-Petch strengthening and have low linear coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs). The invention provides means for matching the CTE of the fine-grained metallic coating to the one of the substrate by adjusting the composition of the alloy and/or by varying the chemistry and volume fraction of particulates embedded in the coating. The fine-grained metallic coatings are particularly suited for strong and lightweight articles, precision molds, sporting goods, automotive parts and components exposed to thermal cycling. The low CTEs and the ability to match the CTEs of the fine-grained metallic coatings with the CTEs of the substrate minimize dimensional changes during thermal cycling and prevent premature failure.

In order to provide enhanced performance from fletching, a stabilizer (26) is peratively associated with an arrow shaft (18) to be moveable from a launch position (28) near the tip (20) of an arrow (16) at one end thereof to a flight position (30) near the nock (22) of the arrow (16) at the other end thereof. The stabilizer (26) includes a slide collar (32) disposed on the shaft (18) for sliding movement therealong and having a plurality of radial vanes (34) each with a leading edge (36) and a trailing edge (38) as well as a reinforcing extension (40) forwardly of the leading edges of the vanes and extending rearwardly at least to the trailing edges thereof. By limiting the stabilizer (26) to sliding movement along the shaft from the launch position (28) to the flight position (30), a bow (12) having a riser (14) may be provided with a launcher (24) mounted on the riser to resiliently grip the stabilizer with the vanes forward of the riser during launch.