feather choppers and dyeing feathers

[str8jct]

3 questions
1. Why are feather choppers wing specific? Even though they are wing specific can you successfully chop LW feathers with a RW chopper?
2. What is the method and needed materials for dyeing white feathers?
3. How many 4in parabolics should expect out of a full length feather..2 or 3?

Thanks for the help.

[LC]

1. Because of the "foot" of the feather not laying flat on striker board if you do cuts opposite of intended, but yes you can still do it, just not optimal.
2. Check the  How To Resources forum, that's exactly how I have done it for years.
3. I'd guess 2 on commercial ground tame turkey feathers but I only chop 5" fletching and only plan on one from a primary wild turkey feather.

[str8jct]

Thanks LC, I forgot about the how to forums.

[JRY309]

A bananna chopper will chop both LW and RW.I have used the Great Northern feather dye with great results,you can buy direct or at 3Rivers.

[acolobowhunter]

I agree - get the packet of dye from 3 Rivers, works great and several colors to choose from.  I use 4" and get 2 out of a full length feather.  I don't use the chopper, but use the Youngs feather burner, so LW and RW are not a problem.