Chopper

[Scattergun2570]

Does a feather cut with a 3 Rivers Little Chopper,look just like the precut feathers I buy from Trueflight? Will the shape be just as clean and precise? or is it not quite as good?

[STICKBENDER98]

I've used a chopper for the last few years, does ok, probably not as good as the factory die cut.  I notice more on the front of the feather after I chop it may look a little off sometimes, mostly my fault, you need even pressure on the guide, and you need to keep your fingers out of the way, but all in all I've been very happy with mine.  Just takes a little practice and patience.

[jamesh76]

I think it depends on the feather manufacturer.  I have bought barred precut to match up with some solids I cut and they were a little taller.  Dont recall the make though.

[Looper]

You'll need to make sure the back of the feather stays flat on the base of the chopper. Sometimes, if the base of the quill is taller on toward the front of the fletch, the feather will want to rotate slightly under the pressure of the blade. That will cause a little hump at the front of the fletch. I made a little clamp out of a thin piece of sheet metal to hold the feather down. As a result, my fletches come out pretty clean.  

I think Rob Distefano had a thread somewhere using a very similar method with some good photos. PM him and he'll point you to it.

[McDave]

There used to be a chopper named Vario Clipper, which chops as good or better than pre cut True Flight feathers. I dread the day when mine wears out. It is not offered in the US anymore, although it is still offered in Europe and I believe someone is independently making a copy of them in Canada.

However, I think the thing that makes it so good is that the quill is held on two sides rather than just being pushed up against a ridge like the Lil Chopper. This avoids the hump, mentioned above. I'll bet it would be possible to add a second ridge to the Lil Chopper that would accomplish the same function.

[Scattergun2570]

Originally posted by McDave:
There used to be a chopper named Vario Clipper, which chops as good or better than pre cut True Flight feathers. I dread the day when mine wears out. It is not offered in the US anymore, although it is still offered in Europe and I believe someone is independently making a copy of them in Canada.

However, I think the thing that makes it so good is that the quill is held on two sides rather than just being pushed up against a ridge like the Lil Chopper. This avoids the hump, mentioned above. I'll bet it would be possible to add a second ridge to the Lil Chopper that would accomplish the same function.

I see that Herbs Archery has blades for the Vario Clipper,,is that what you need when yours wears out?

[Scattergun2570]

Also found this on Herbs Site

 http://peteward.com/test.vario.html

[McDave]

Yes, that's what I'm talking about!

[bowhuntingrn]

Has anyone tried the Bearpaw feather cutter (http://www.kustomkingarchery.com/Bearpaw-Feather-Cutter/productinfo/4825/)? Looks really nice, but I'd like to hear a review or two before handing over that kind of cash.

[Bldtrailer]

If you can stand the smell get a          BIG rubber hammer  Still have all my fingers