Well, I did something that is very unusual for me. Generally when I have a tool that works, I'll stick with it, or at least borrow or try out a different one before I invest in it. However, after reading several positive posts and talking to Herb at Herb's Archery about the Vario, I bought one. Glad I did!

I went to TN to hunt with a good friend this past weekend (got there Thursday night, came home Sunday). Saturday we didn't go out--wind was blowing real hard, and hard rain most of the day. Anyhow........

We spent Saturday in the shop, and I chopped between 500 and 600 feathers with the Vario. I bought the 5" sheild, left and right wing blades, but only used the left wing.

It was a little aggravating at first--more because it was different that I was used to than anything else. Also started out with Gateway feathers, and the thick quill is a pain with any chopper. A little sanding took care of that.

I used a mallet for probably the first 100 feathers--the one I got did need "breaking in". One of the unique features of the Vario, the quill holder (what I call it anyhow), had to be cut through for the shape you are using. Probably didn't take near 100 cuts to do this, but I was in the habit of using a mallet and just kept with it. Finally decided to use my hand, and it worked great--even better than the mallet, I think.

The cuts are very precise and consistent--as good as any I have ever seen. After getting the feel for it, it was as quick or quicker than a little chopper. I didn't time myself on how long it took to cut 500-600 feathers, but it went by quick. The only bad cuts (very few) were my fault, generally from trying to squeek out an extra cut from not quite enough feather. I chopped Gateway, Truflight, and wild turkey feathers ground by Jan at Raven Arrows. The Gateways were the only ones that were any trouble, and this was due to the extra wide and thick base ends--not the chopper's fault. A few were due to me not having some screws tight on the base. (always being told I have a few screws loose, you'd think I'd have enough sense to check)

If it will hold out for the long haul (yet to be seen), this tool is well worth the money. I don't think I'd get more than 2-3 different blades per base, because each one has to cut through the rubber part that holds the quill, and chopping it into several small pieces might do too much damage for it to do it's job properly. That's just my thoughts, haven't tried it (obviously).

Basic run-down on how it works. First, if you are used to a Little Chopper, it will mess with your mind a little. The feather goes into the Vario in the opposite direction as it does in a Little Chopper. There are two small rubber strips at the base of the chopper, with a small gap in-between. This in where the quill goes, and keeps it in place (instead of your fingers) and kept it from rolling over (one thing that really aggravated me with the Little Chopper, and made the cuts look crappy when it happened). After a few cuts, it's easy to see just where you need to place the feather. Start the quill into the holder, run your finger down it to seat it. The clipper has a small rubber boot that keeps the blade off the feather until you smack it--kind of a spring-loaded type action. This gives you a bit of momentum and requires less force to make the cut. I seldom needed more that one whack to make the cut. I was set up on my buddy's work bench, and although solid it has crap piled up and stacked from one end to the other, so I couldn't hit it too hard without causing several things to fall over. When I took a feather out that wasn't cut completely, it wasn't a big deal to put it back in place to finish the cut.

These choppers aren't cheap, but unless they don't hold up (and they seem to be very solid--much more so than the LC's I've been using for years), they are worth it.

Chad

How many 5" feathers can ya get from a full length feather? Is it worth the time to cut your own?

A few years ago you could easily get two 5" cuts from almost all full length feathers, even two 5.5" cuts. Nowadays though, the (bought) feathers are shorter, and you are lucky to get 2 cuts from 1/2 the feathers. Barred are worse--might get two 5" cuts from 10% of these. I was told it's because the turkey farms are breeding turkeys to have less feathers (easier to pluck), and this is resulting in shorter primaries. Is it worth it? Hard to say--if you shoot 4" you can still get two cuts from most, and if you like to splice you can use the leftovers for that. Also if you save wild turkey feathers the choppers look a lot better (to me anyhow) than the ones cut by hand with scissors. You can get a 5" and 4" cut from most--use the 5" yourself, and the 4" for your wife/girlfriend and kid(s), or even sell them.

Chad

Hey Chad, where do you order one from? I have a zillion wild turkey feathers that I hope to have sent out real soon to be ground by Raven. I am going to need a chopper. Can you get them from 3Rivers?

I hope you didnt make too much of a mess of Tom's bench.

Kip, here's the link to Herb's Archery:

http://www.herbsarchery.com/

He's the North American dealer for these choppers.

I'm a little leery of them due to their price. However, I've never heard anything but good reports on their performance and the different shapes that are available is inspiring. I imagine I'll someday get one of these to give it a go since I chop all my feathers. I find it much easier to keep a good selection of feathers in full length on hand and cut what I need for any particular shape, size, and color than it would be to try keeping all that in pre-cut feathers.

Thanks for the review, Chad.

Guy

Honestly, I had no intentions of trying one, mainly due to the cost. I've been looking at them for a while, even before Herb picked them up, but just couldn't bring myself to pay that for a chopper. I've used the Little Choppers for years, and just couldn't picture there being that much room for improvement, especially not enough to justify the difference in price. Man, was I wrong! As I said, if these will hold out for the long haul, they are well worth the money in my opinion. I think they will--the base is much more solidly built than the LC. The wild cuts they offer were tempting, but I stuck with my tried and true sheild cut. I like not having to risk a digit every time I chop a feather, along with getting a much neater, very consistent cut. Thought about picking them up myself, but I don't want to compete with Herb. I don't know him personally, but he seems to be a real nice guy, and did me right on the Vario. If you chop a lot of feathers, or intend to, I think it's well worth the price.

Chad

Kip, you never heard so much fussing and carrying on, even when we were in Canada! He griped and snorted and moaned, and I just kept whacking--lol. Tom hates to cut feathers, so he was grateful in spite of the show (and I did knock a few things over before I found out I didn't have to hit it nearly so hard). If you decide you have too many of those feathers (after you have them ground of course!), feel free to send them my way! lol

How's Brian and Webber making it? Shoot me an e-mail sometime with your phone number so I can jaw at you a bit--been forever it seems.

Chad

Nice to hear from you guys again. Seems like its been quite awhile. We need to get together again somewhere sometime. Tell Brian and Webster I said Hi, Kip. Chad, I hope to see you at KK this coming year. John

Hey John--how's it going? Man, it seems like forever. Still debating on the KK next year--ankle is still shot, and not working for 10 months has done bad things to my wallet. I do plan to be at Cloverdale though, if at all possible. I don't see me being able to play nearly as much next summer as I did this past summer. KK is a maybe, Cloverdale and Twin Oaks (you should really consider this one--EXCELLENT shoot) are on my do-or-die list.

Chad

KK just wouldn't be the same without you hollerin " how about them chek mates " every time you make a lucky shot You can use delivering my next bow to me as an excuse if ya want ( even though I'm hoping it's done before then ) I know I know patience is a virtue grasshopper huh? Good thing I aint no grasshopper cause I sure don't have no patience LOl back to staring out the window watching for the mail truck!