I use full-length feathers and grab the end of the feather and pull down towards the point end of the quill.With practice(and you'll probably go thru some feathers),you'll be able to get the feather off intact.Then I cut off the length of feather I want to put the splice on with a utility knife but don't cut into the quill base and make sure all the barbs are taken off.I sand both pieces then glue.I usually do end splices-they're easier for me to do than splices in the middle of the fletch.I probably didn't explain it all that well but it's not really too hard with practice.Just take your time.