stripped vs. ground feathers

[briarjumper12]

I see most everyone uses ground feathers.  I stripped a few yesterday to try out.  
Will stripped feathers hold up good?  If they do, what makes it worth all the trouble to grind down the quills.
I am working on a grounding system but if the stripped feathers work just as good, why not go that route?  I think I will like the low profile the stripped feathers have on the shaft compared to ground.

What's your alls sentiments on this issue?

John

[John Scifres]

They work fine.  I think a lot of folks just use what the commercial folks produce and then that's what they replicate when they make their own.  On the other hand, I think the stiffer, usually more uniform, ground quill is a bit easier to handle in jigs.  Either way, you'll be fine.

[briarjumper12]

Thanks for the insight.  I am going to try to get a few fletched up with them stripped ones this evening.  When I get them done up I'll put them through the ringer and see how they hold up.

[Grey Taylor]

The only thing I can add to what John said is that on a production basis grinding makes more sense.
On a personal use basis, grinding is probably easier. The skill to strip a feather is something that needs to be learned.

Guy

[briarjumper12]

I stripped enough last night to do 4 arrows.  Those were the first I had ever tried.  I didn't any have problem at all stripping them and thought it would much much easier than doing all that grinding.  
I better do few a more just make sure I was doing it right LOL

[scrub-buster]

Grinding feathers is a lot of work?  I split the feather with a knife, cut to length, and then stick it between two scrap pieces of 1x board and run it across the belt sander for a second or two. It is really pretty quick and easy.

[alaninoz]

Ground feathers give you something to stick the pieces to when you are splicing. Apart from that I don't see much difference.

[briarjumper12]

Originally posted by alaninoz:
Ground feathers give you something to stick the pieces to when you are splicing. Apart from that I don't see much difference.

Good obsvervation.  I hadn't even thought of that.

[briarjumper12]

Originally posted by scrub-buster:
Grinding feathers is a lot of work?  I split the feather with a knife, cut to length, and then stick it between two scrap pieces of 1x board and run it across the belt sander for a second or two. It is really pretty quick and easy.

That's what I intend to do when I grind also.
KISS is always my approach to things.

[red hill]

I made jig to hold a feather while I use a sanding block to sand down the quill. It only takes a few passes using low grit sandpaper. Haven't tried to strip any feathers yet.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

You guys that are grinding be sure to wear a mask that dust from the feathers is toxic as all get out. Just ask Charlie Jefferson aka StringStretcher.

[George Tsoukalas]

I prefer them ground because the quill or shaft is a bit thicker. Dean's jig is the best. Adapt it for your needs. Jawge
 http://bowyersedge.com/feather.html

[Roy from Pa]

I like grinding them also. To me it makes the feather much more solid. After splitting and cutting to 1/2" over length, I clamp them in a straight bitzenburger clamp and grind them flat, trim up the sides, then pop them in my feather cutter.

[briarjumper12]

Thanks for tips guys.  I am going to try some stripped and see how I like them.  I have only used ground so far. I had them done.  I am going to fix me up a jig to ground if I decide I don't like stripped.

[Jeff Smith]

I like stripped. Fast,clean, and easy on the knuckle if you shoot off of your hand.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Originally posted by briarjumper12:
I see most everyone uses ground feathers.  I stripped a few yesterday to try out.  
Will stripped feathers hold up good?  If they do, what makes it worth all the trouble to grind down the quills.
I am working on a grounding system but if the stripped feathers work just as good, why not go that route?  I think I will like the low profile the stripped feathers have on the shaft compared to ground.

What's your alls sentiments on this issue?

John

I prefer to grind mine on a belt sander while clamped in a home made jig that I made out of a brass door hinge. Stripping them makes me nervous because I've screwed the pooch on some doing it that way so that's why I prefer to grind them. Plus I get a nice uniform base for gluing with a Bitz jig.

There really is no right or wrong way, it's just whatever works for you. The native people didn't have sanding belts or jigs, so you can't argue with what has worked for 1,000's of years.

[briarjumper12]

I got a dozen arrows made up using the stripped feathers.  I got to admit that I like the way the stripped feathers really lay down on the shaft and make a for a smooth transition. I have had problems in the past with commercial feathers having a thick quill that would have to be smoothed up once on the arrow. That way it would scuff up my strike plate. I haven't got to shoot them yet but I will soon and give a report. I'll try to get some pics too.