Simple Way To Color Cock Feather/Mimic Splice

[cloudbaseracer]

I am wondering if there is a simple way to get approximate the look of a spliced feather by using some type of marker to color the fletching?  I am wanting to go with all three feathers the same color but need a simple way to designate the cock feather.  I though some of you guys on here had probably experimented with various ways.  The spliced feathers look really great but I do not believe I want to spend the money to have these done since they are just for stump shooting which is very hard on the fletch.

[K. Mogensen]

One guy I know shoots with all orange feathers, but on the cock, he just takes a sharpie and puts a dot on it.

[Zbearclaw]

I got tired of paying as much for 12 barred feathers as 36+ solid reds so I took a sharpie.

Works for me.  I may try dying the front half or something to mix it up.

[K. Mogensen]

Oh, one more thing, you could also just use nocks with indexers on them. That's what I do...

[TxAg]

I use a sharpie.  I like all my feathers the same color.

[bornagainbowhunter]

I used to bar the cock feather with a sharpie, works great.

[cloudbaseracer]

Thanks guys, I thought about the sharpie idea and I am glad you guys find that works.  Have any of you found a way to do colors other than black that will show up?  Is there some type of paint?  I would think that a blue marker would not come out as blue on a yellow or pink or red fletch.  This is why I wonder about other options. I will play around with the sharpie though.

Cheers,

James

[Zbearclaw]

Silver Sharpie also works to give it a different color.

I also index my nocks but sometimes with gloves and such it can be hard to tell.  

I can see the differences in color in my peripheral vision.

Also I would be leery of paint as it will most likely just stiffen the feathers and not allow them to do what they do, in that case may as well use vanes...

Good luck

[tukudu]

The flytying guys use a pen called "prismacolor" to color fly bodies. I think they would work really nice. Check out a place like "feather craft".

[deaddoc4444]

Mercury index or Bohing index nocks are the easy-est solution .  I have had many arrows over the years fletched with all the same color and never had a problem.

[cloudbaseracer]

Originally posted by deaddoc4444:
Mercury index or Bohing index nocks are the easy-est solution .  I have had many arrows over the years fletched with all the same color and never had a problem.

I love your suggestion in light of your signature!  Too funny!

I am going to experiment with putting some dye in a little bottle with a foam sponge top like they use for moistening a letter.  This could work good if it will allow a definite line and not run/bleed to the other quills.

[frank bullitt]

Use Feibings leather dye, with a Q-tip. Practice with an old arrow or feather to get the right touch! Then post pics of you work!

[outdoorsman_3]

I don't know if it would work but in fishing we are able to dye our plastic baits with a item called Spike it.  They make it in may colors and will stain almost anything.  Including hands when it is wet.  I bet that it will work without stiffening the feathers.  Might have to try it tonight

[cloudbaseracer]

After trying the Feibings leather dye, a Sharpie and another fabric marking type pen I decided to just leave them all the same and I actually enjoy them without any distinction.  I have also swithed to cock feather in so I am not as concerned about oreintation.  Thanks for all the ideas though.  It was really cool to experiment.

I think it would be neat if someone made a custom stamp or burner.  A guy could have his own "crest" of sorts and then the feather would be really special.

[Mint Hill Mule]

I use three of the same color also. Doesn't seem to matter which way the cock feather faces. There seem to be alot of folks that shoot cock feather in, which is what I do most of the time. The claim is that the feathers seem to sustain less damage. I can't tell any difference either way.

[KSdan]

Seems to me that I read somewhere how a guy used stain to make his own barred feathers.