Cutting Feathers

[Gatekeeper]

I want to make some small game arrows and I want to put as little money into each arrow as possible. To do this I would like to get as many cut feathers from a full length feather as possible. I saw an article in TB where the author cut more than one feather from the full length feather but I can’t remember the length that he used.

What is the length of a full length feather?

Can I cut more than 1 fletch from each full length feather?

If so, what can I expect the maximum length fletch to be?

Thanks for your help.

[George D. Stout]

If you make them 4" to 4 1/2" and  you can get two.  That's plenty of feather for arrow guidance.

[macbow]

I was just reading Rob Davis's book called FAFFY, Flinging Arrows For Fifty Years.

His small game arrows were modified Flu-Flus. He would put about 4 rows (fletches) but each fletch was made up of 1 inch segments of full height feather spaced about 1 inch apart.
A full length feather is at least 9 to 10 inches long.
You should get 2 arrows where full length would net one.

Part of his reasoning for less feather is squirrels are quick so don't slow them down too much.Maybe 4 or 5 1 inchers per row.

For those of us that have left over feathers from chopping or burning our own. This would be a real savings.
Where is Camden Point, LOZ?
Ron

[Gatekeeper]

Thanks guys this helps.

Camden Point is 10 miles north of KCI airport and 2 miles east of I29.

What does LOZ stand for.

[Ben Woodring]

If you want flu, flu's use the one full length feather wrap around method...easy and really puts the brakes on...

[macbow]

LOZ is the Lake of the Ozarks. I was hoping you was closer, could have gotten together and chased those furry critters.
Ron

[Australiamick]

Most times you will be able to get 2 x 4 1/2 fletches from the one full length feather.

If you want the absolute most from your full length feathers, try cutting 2 x 4 1/2 inch fletches in the 'traditional' shape. You will get more feather profile on your arrows using this shape than any other, as the back edge of one fletch will overlap the forward edge of the next. Actually you will end up with about the same profile area as a 5 inch sheild cut, but at much less cost.

I burn my fletches into shape using a homemade burner.

It must be my Scotish ancestory.

Mick