Best method to remove old feather from woodies

[Ari_Bonn]

Obviously not your current arrows but for the future just slap inexpensive arrow wraps on them. When its time to re fletch boil up some water and steam the wraps they come off super easy.

[Jim Wright]

I know it does not help you in the immediate but if you fletch with bohning fletching tape getting them off couldn't be easier. I have been using it for years and I've not had one come off until I removed it either.

[slowbowjoe]

What Shadowhunter said, X2.

[Jon Stewart]

I have re-done many old Bear wood arrows. Most of the time I can get the old feather off by using my thumb nail and then scrape with a dull knife.  A sharp knife can catch the wood and then you are done. I also have a gizmo that saunders put out that I use.  Can't give the actual name of it right now as I am gone from home.

I then use Min wax refinisher to get all the old paint and finish off.  works real good and does not harm the wood.

There are a lot of good old wood arrows out there than can be brought back to use.

[frank bullitt]

Yep, Jon is correct, old wood is good!

[randy grider]

Just glue large uncut feathers between them, and ad to the flu flu barrel. Squirells need hunting too.

[rraming]

Best method is to make those squirrel arrows and make some new ones, really!

[frank bullitt]

I have always used a knife, no problems.
As far as messing up the crown or crest, just battle scars!

Thinking if you used a hot iron, soldering iron, run along the top of quill? Soften the glue?

[Fletcher]

Originally posted by kstout:
I use lacquer thinner to soften the glue.

I've done this and it works pretty good.  They knife off pretty easily after the glue is soft.  Good luck!

[RGKulas]

Thanks to all the guys who contributed suggestions of substance regarding removing old fletching from woodies. The knife (used with care) is working just fine. This batch of 36 arrows (which have never been shot and are still 32" long) will be reborn as beautiful arrows.

[longstiks]

I've had good luck with the serated blade on my Leatherman. Like others said, go slowly so you don't get into the shaft. A heat gun will soften the glue some to make the job easier.
Denny

The cocker spaniel that i had, when we would shoot at a rabbit or pheasant.  Would charge after the arrow, then very quickly rip off a feather, rotate the shaft and do it again, until all the feathers were removed and then bring back the arrow to who ever shot it.   Only a light scraping and sanding to remove what was left for refletching.

[oldbohntr]

Yeah, I've used several ways, but lacquer thinner won't hurt wood.  Make a dip tube of a piece of pipe longer than the cap dip or fletch, thread on a cap and figure out how long to leave it in to soften the glue. I don't soak them in it, as I suppose it could dry out the wood cells.  Same thing would work with stripper, maybe w/o risk of drying out the wood. But I've not seen any weakening of shafts from either material.

[Brock]

depending on glue...i have removed them with steam or very hot water.

also removed some with knife blade but will either leave some quill or remove some shaft.

past few years I rarely if ever re-fletch old shaft.  I just relegate them to arrows I shoot for small game, or sharing with others trying to learn with one of my extra bows.  anymore, I dont even refletch if I lose a portion or an entire fletch...for short distances I typically hunt I have not found a huge difference if arrows are matched to bow.  My last hog I shot with arrow that only had 2 and 1/4 fletch on it...and the fletching was damp.  Flew true to 12+ yards and complete penetration.

Dont sweat the small stuff....

Sounds like excuse to buy some raw shafts and make up another dozen...