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