grind feathers?

[wanabehunter]

I bought alot of whole turkey feathers but I dunno how to get a thin even layer of the quill like alot of the fletchings I see on here

[1/2primitive]

Strip them, that's what I do. Mickey Lotz just wrote a nice tutorial for the upcoming mag, look at it on the PA homepage.
    Sean

[david w.]

yep i peel them

[Hillbilly]

Either strip them, or split the quill down the center in the natural groove, then sand or grind it down.

[Mike_A]

Same here stipping them is the way to go. If you have trouble keeping them in one piece try soaking them in warm water for about 10 minutes then strip them. I've had a lot of luck with this method. Hope this helps. Mike

[bootboy]

this was basicly my question....except I wondered if there was a an accurate way to get the same result for every feather. whatever this is cool too. Off to read the article

[keekeerun]

I strip them and I also split them down the quill and stick them in a fletching clamp and sand them on the belt sander

[Kegan]

Tap the quill with the butt of a knife. Split with said knife. Stick point of knife in block of wood and hold butt in place with chin. Drag quill back and forth along blad until proper size.

Or [soak and] strip 'em .

[Pat B]

All good advise about. I have better luck splitting the quill, cut to length, clamp it in a fletch clamp and grind to size on a belt sander. Pat

[Minuteman]

I've never been able to hold my butt in place with my chin.  You must be very flexible.

[Pappy]

What Pat said.It make them easier to work with when putting them on the shaft,a
little stiffer.I have done it both way and like the splitting the best.Try both ways
and see witch you like the best. 
    Pappy

[Justin Snyder]

If I am gluing them anyway I just strip them.  If I am wanting a primitive look I split them and tie them so they are a little more rigid when I only tie the front and back.  Justin

[Ranger B]

Here is a follow along for grinding that I do.
Ranger B

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[Ranger B]

Step 2
Use a sharp knife or razor to split them right down the middle.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Ranger B]

I then use my fletcher clamp to hold them straight.

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