Who cuts their own?

Kip · 02-21-2004, 09:40 PM

Anybody here cut your own feathers? Anybody play with trying to color them? I got a bunch of wild turkey feathers, and Im trying to decide if I want to send them in, or if I can do it myself.
Also, I use left wing feathers, and I have a bunch of right wing feathers. Anyone want to work a trade? I should have a pile more once turkey season opens. I got feathers lined up from every turkey hunter I know.

LBR · 02-21-2004, 10:35 PM

Kip, I've been there done that with splitting/grinding (sanding) my own feathers. Well worth the cost to have it done for me. Very time consuming, lots of dust, and I usually couldn't do nearly as good a job. Get yourself a right wing clamp and you will have twice as many feathers to use. I haven't had any success dying feathers, but I think it was Tom that mentioned to me the other day you need to put a bit of vinegar in the water to break down the oils in the feathers so they will absorb the dye better. Gonna try that next.

Now the important question--you gonna' get your sorry rear down this way for any shoots this summer? Cloverdale anyhow--that's about 1/2 way.

Chad

Lilhunter · 02-21-2004, 11:20 PM

get with a fly tying shop and get hooked up with some of the old timers when it comes to dying.

They get awesome colors, vibrant and many different colors! The process is exactly the same.

Kip · 02-22-2004, 06:28 AM

Chad, I think your reading my mind. For $18 per 100, its probably well worth it to let someone with experience do them. I read how they color them, and the process seems pretty simple. I may give it a go this week just for kicks.

Hey Lil', where ya been hiding? I aint seen you around in a while. Got that new bow ready to chase critters soon?

Tom-TN · 02-22-2004, 06:12 PM

For the $18 per 100 (plus shipping), you can't go wrong. There is no telling how many feathers I have ground. I made a jig to fit on the sanding disc on my belt sander and it works great. But, I am just to lazy to do it anymore. Jan at Raven Arrows does a wonderful job with the feathers, and Tom makes a great POC shaft too. Take care.......Tom

DoninVa · 02-22-2004, 06:29 PM

Hey Kip, I have a bunch of left wing feathers I would like to trade for right wing. If your interested, we could trade now, or wait till after the spring season as I to have been bugging every guy that I know that turkey hunts

. Don

Kip · 02-22-2004, 06:32 PM

Don, remind me on June 1st when our season closes, and I would be more than happy to trade you. I also have a bunch of secondaries, if anyone is interested in those.

I will try to remember to bump this up when our season closes.