I need some feather advice

[Rock Crusher]

I've always shot three five inch parabolic feathers. I just recently used all my feathers up and I'm trying to decide wether to stick with parabolic or get three rivers five and three quarter inch low profile bannana chopper and go with bannana feathers. My deal is I wouldn't mind having the extra stability as my release isn't always that great but I don't know anything about bannana feathers other than what I've read on here. It seems most think they are better in the wind and that would be nice other than that is it just a matter of preference or are there some other advantages? One other thing my experience with chopping feathers is that it's hard to get a nice angle cut across the quill and it looks like the bannana feather would have to do that at both ends. Those of you that chop them how do you get a nice cut? Thanks for your time. RC

[magnus]

Try cutting the quill with a razor before whacking the chopper. Helps keep them from rolling.

[Rock Crusher]

I hadn't thought of that thanks.

[magnus]

Just passing on what I've learned here. Good luck.

[The Whittler]

Magnus, are you saying to cut the feather to length before you put it in the chopper?? Have never used a chopper but thinking about getting one and nice to know the little secrets before hand. Thank you.

[stringstretcher]

If you take and put the feather in the chopper and just lay the cutting edge down on the feather, take a really sharp exacto knife and cut down through the quill using the cutting blade of the chopper as a quide.  You will feel and see the blade drop down to the feather giving you a "no rolled" edge. You can do the same on the back, but I find that most of the time, if you just tape the back lightly with you mallet first, it cuts, but does not roll the edge.  Hope this helps.

[magnus]

Listen to what Stringstreatcher says. He's the master at this and is who I learned from by reading and using his advice and tips. If you've ever seen his feathers you would too!