Why I Try To Avoid Floating Selvedges

Recently, this question came up about floating selvedges:

I get the impression that this floating selvedge issue invokes lot of passionate discussion on both sides. It seems to me that it is recommended that some weave structures use a floating selvage. I guess I don't understand why some weavers have a passionate dislike and avoid them whenever possible.

And my response:

For me, it's a matter of weaving rhythm. The act of throwing and catching the shuttle is very intuitive for me and over the years I have honed it so the minutiae can make a difference. While in theory, it is just a matter of throwing over one selvedge thread and catching under on the other side, this action is not only one more thing that I need to keep track of, it also changes many other small details including the angle of the shuttle in relationship to the warp (both vertically and horizontally), and the speed at which the shuttle moves in relationship to how much force I am throwing it with. When I throw my shuttle, I am actually angling it up just the smallest bit. The action of having to go over the selvedge thread means that the shuttle is angling down, not up. I generally have to use a taller shuttle to compensate for this small difference in angle and the taller shuttle has more drag on the warp which means that I have to throw the shuttle with more force, and also that the "sweet spot" in my weaving is quite a bit smaller and I have to advance more often.

I weave a lot. I weave fast, but without a lot of effort...this means each motion has an important purpose. I know that the speed with which I weave is not realistic or necessary for most weavers, but there is also a balance between what someone wants to weave and what one is realistically able to weave. Tightening up the small details can make a difference and enable someone to weave more fabric with less work and a happier body.

With all of that being said, I respect whatever choices others make in their weaving. My goal is to present alternatives that have the potential to simplify the process and lead to more enjoyment and better made fabric.