Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: stuckinthemud on May 01, 2021, 04:59:35 pm

Title: Cutting-trimming-stripping-grinding feathers
Post by: stuckinthemud on May 01, 2021, 04:59:35 pm
I've only made about a dozen arrows and I typically use goose primary or secondary feathers gathered in the summer molt.  I cut along the quill with a sharp blade, tidy up the cut, cut to length, glue on, bind and finally shape with scissors.  What should I be doing differently?
Title: Re: Cutting-trimming-stripping-grinding feathers
Post by: Hawkdancer on May 02, 2021, 03:13:53 pm
Sounds like the drill!  Are you tapering the front of the quill?  Are your arrows flying true?  Good luck!
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Cutting-trimming-stripping-grinding feathers
Post by: stuckinthemud on May 02, 2021, 05:33:33 pm
Thank you, that's a relief, just found out I shouldn't use left and right side of the same feather, which may have been why one or two of my arrows have been wayward as occasionally I have gotten three flights from one feather.  I also used to shape the feathers very wide but have recently started cutting them on a narrow taper to a maximum width of 10mm.