Turkey Feather -JACKPOT-

[burch]

I was talking to a guy at work about hunting and he mensioned how much he Turkey hunts so I asked him what he does with the feathers. He tells me I don`t eat feathers and agreed to give them to me. Today he came to work with 6 wings and 3 tails. These are still wet from this weekends hunt. Since i`ve never used Turkey feathers before i`m hoping I can get all the info I need here on how to process `em into fletching. So any info or web sites on how this is done will be greatly appreciated. I don`t even know how to tell the left from the right and by the way i`ll only be using right wings so i`ll either sell the left wings or trade `em off here so someone on the forum can use `em.  Also, can the tail feathers be used ?

     Burch  

[stringstretcher]

Get in touch with Magnus on here.  He is a sponsor

[wtpops]

There is a couple of how too's in the how too fourm if you want to do it your self or as stringstrecher said contact Magnus and you will get some nice feathers. Just about any feather can be used to make fletching but the primaries are the best. Tail feathers will wear out very fast they are best used for crafts and decorations

[Ragnarok Forge]

Look on Dean Torges website for a link to his Barred for Life - A Tale of Grinding Truth.  It tells you how to build a grinding jig and use it with specs on the jig.  It will provide everything you need to be successful.

[burch]

Which one of these two feathers is the right wing and are these the primary feathers ?

   

[Winterhawk1960]

I believe the one on the "right" in the picture is a right wing and the one on the "left" in the picture is the left wing. They look like primary feathers to me.

Winterhawk1960

[Wapiti Chaser]

The easiest way to sort them is to hold the  feather in your hand (just like you are trying to fly). You will see the the quill is in the front of the feather. In your picture the right wing feather is the one on the left. Hope that doesn't confuse you. The primary feathers have the stiffist feathers.Looks like a primary on the left and a secondary on the right.

[Tree Killer]

Originally posted by burch:
Which one of these two feathers is the right wing and are these the primary feathers ?

   

RIGHT WING ....................... LEFT WING    

They're both primary feathers.  The secondaries will have a 50/50 split of feather on each side of the center quill.

[Ragnarok Forge]

On another note, never.  As in never ever in any manner or form grind feathers without full breathing protection.  The grindings can cause serious damage, and they can carry viruses and bacteria that can really mess you up.  I wear a double filter respirator system when I make knives, and grind feathers.  I plan to live to a ripe old age.

[magnus]

X2 what Lowell said. This stuff IS toxic and the affects are permanent!!!!  Don't think it won't happen to you. Safety first. I do this for a living and take every precaution.

[burch]

Originally posted by Ragnarok Forge:
On another note, never.  As in never ever in any manner or form grind feathers without full breathing protection.  The grindings can cause serious damage, and they can carry viruses and bacteria that can really mess you up.  I wear a double filter respirator system when I make knives, and grind feathers.  I plan to live to a ripe old age.

That`s a good bit of info i`ll heed.
       Many thanks  

[burch]

Originally posted by magnus:
X2 what Lowell said. This stuff IS toxic and the affects are permanent!!!!  Don't think it won't happen to you. Safety first. I do this for a living and take every precaution.

I`ve done a lot of deer bone grinding for my muzzleloader stuff so I have plenty of mask to use.