Chopper or burner?

[highnoonhunter]

I've been wanting a feather chopper or burner for years. I've just always used scissors and a pattern, but still they don't all turn out the same.

I've seen two different choppers mentioned. One is a Vario?? (sp)

The other I think is the Little Chopper.

And then theres the Young feather burner.

What are your preferances, and why?

I've been seeing some of you talk about 4 inch banana cut. What would be the best for that profile? Are rather, what is available for the 4 inch banana cut?

I need to use some of these feathers I've got!

hnh

[Grant Young]

I use a Young feather burner and have for many years. I like it more than any other method but it has drawbacks. I dip and crest most of my shafts but if I want to use wraps I use die-cut feathers. The burner is also a little bit messy and the smell of burnt feathers may not appeal to you either. I've seen great results from choppers but you will be more limited in size and shape, however there are still many patterns to choose from. Hope that helps a little.  Grant

[JRY309]

For me I like a burner,I can make any shape,length and height I want.I can also reshape die cut feathers,I took some 5.5" feathers and cut them and burnered them to 4" feathers for some kids arrows.I started with a little chopper did one dozen arrows,wasn't completely satisfied.Then I bought my burner and just like it better,with a feather burner I can do LW and RW.A little chopper does ok but you are limited to one stlye cut unless you buy another chopper and there is LW and RW.A burner cost quite a bit more but also is very versatile I have had my for over 10 years and still works great,new ribbons are cheap.

[Jack Guard]

I own all of the things you have mentioned and like them all.

The Feather Burner is very versatile.  for the initial investment and a few bucks in ribbons you can have many different feather shapes.  you will have to pay attention to detail to set up the ribbons and get consistency out of it.   especially if you change shapes regularly.  And lets not forget the smell of burning feathers.  not a pleasant smell to most wife's.  Currently a popular retailer has it for $99.00.     I believe you can find it cheaper or used.  

The Little chopper, retails for $20 to $28.  You can find it for as little as 10 bucks used.  I have several of them and they have done very well, with many hundreds of feathers chopped on them.  They are easy to use and consistent, even for a dork like myself.  you must buy a different chopper for each shape.  you use a hammer to smack the top of the chopper to make the cut and is loud (this only mens something to you when you are sneaking  some arrow making in the middle of the night when the wife and kids are sleeping)

Vario Clipper  $57.50  for the initial investment.  then $16.50 to change inserts (feather shapes).  This chopper is extremly well made (german craftsmanship).  20 different shapes to choose from, custom shapes are available.   This is a fantastic chopper that is very easy to use and change shapes.  I have only done a few dozen with mine but absolutely love it.  

So, everything i just wrote sounds like an advertisement.  they all work well, it kinda depends on how deep your wallet is and what you are comfortable with.  I would say that if money is an issue and you will probably only use one or two shapes, i would buy the little chopper.  if you are willing to part with a bit more money, buy the Vario, i am very  happy with mine (Herb at Herbs Archery is awesome to deal with).  

Good Luck, you wont go wrong with any of them.  Jack

[dino]

Jack summed them all up pretty well.  I have and use all three.  The vario is a Cadallic of choppers and worth the money.  Burners are nice if you want to try a new style.  Just bend your ribbon and burn, beats the cost of special choppers.  Lil Chopper are economical and probably the most widely used. dino

[hunt it]

Burning feathers will get you ejected fast. I love my vario clipper from Herb's archery - sponsor here. Only had mine for three months and it has chopped 10 doz so far it is a great tool.

[Dave Coalter]

I've had the little chopper, and have switched to the young burner. I like the burner better, but yes the wife doesn't like the smell. So when I'm ready to burn feathers its off to the garage with a bunch of arrows and a cold beer.    Life is good.

[J.Williams]

No doubt the Young burner and Vario clipper work great...it's just that I've had 2 Little choppers for years,have cut hundreds of feathers with them,and they work as good as the day I got them.

[highnoonhunter]

Thanks for the info!

It sounds like either of them will get the wife upset, either banging on choppers or the smell of the burner! LOL!

Being stuck with one type profile doesn't bother me, so it may be two Little choppers I end up with. The banging ain't a big issue, as I'm all the time banging while punching leather in the house.

I won't rule out a burner if I happen upon one at the right price either.

But I definately want to check out the Vario.

hnh

[Killdeer]

Now, who would run the little woman out of her kitchen?  :confused:    :p  
It lives here:

 

Just remember to disable the smoke alarm.    

 

Killdeer  

[highnoonhunter]

LOL!
Hi Killdeer, how are you?

Yea, I reckon the smoke alarm would be annoying!

hnh

[Killdeer]

Mostly to my neighbors. They have gotten pretty used to the smell and the smoke rolling out the balcony door. New move-ins tend to freak a little.

"What blight from yonder window breaks?"
Killdeer  

[longbowben]

I gave my burner away ,i like the chomper.

[Hot Hap]

How they taste? How about a chomp-a-long! Hap

[Rob DiStefano]

I've had them all and IMHO if ya can deal with the stink a burner (make it a Young!) is my preference.  I still have a Vario and a Li'l Chopper, both in 4" shield, but feather burning allows for a very custom feather shape that can't be had by chopping ... specially if you want a feather that's low profile but still has all the effective steering area of a high profile (yet without the arrow plate interference).  YMMV.

 

[highnoonhunter]

I like the profile of those feathers Rob! COOL!

hnh

[Charlie Lamb]

I love the smell of burning feathers in the morning... smells like archery!

Echoing Rob's sentiments, I much prefer the feather burner for it's vesatility... and it's the way I've done it forever. (old guys don't change easilly!)
   

I tried the Little Chopper for a few years, but wasn't really happy with it's uniformity, not to mention I was beating the crap out of it with a hammer.

A good friend who made custom arrows for a while got beautiful results using the Little Chopper. I don't have a clue what he was doing that I wasn't.
  :confused:  

I'd really like to try the Vario and think that's the way I'd go if I wanted to chop my feathers.