What is the expectation for quality of commercial feathers?

[longbow fanatic 1]

If I buy a dozen or 100 feathers, I expect a quality product. By that, I mean a very low rate of imperfections. I know that's subjective, but let me explain. I purchased three packages of a dozen feathers from a reputable company who sells feathers from a reputable company. I've noticed failures of quality such as the feathers separating from the quill, other anomalies like what looks like burns along the feather shafts, which causes dimpling and creases along the feather shafts. Is this normal or should I consider another vendor? What feather distributors have you dealt with that provide reliably, consistent quality?

[gvdocholiday]

The best quality, as far as durability is concerned, feathers I have found...are straight up self ground and punched out wild turkey feathers.  

A close second, are TruFlight feathers.  

Fortunately, I'm able to collect enough turkey feathers throughout the year to have paid off my feather grinder and cutters several times over.

[Biathlonman]

I just bought a hundred Sagittarius feathers.  I've been impressed so far.

[nek4me]

Always used Trueflight and never had any issues. Last ones came from Lost Nation Archery and are top quality.

[crazynate]

I bought 1000 tru flight full length feathers in 10 different colors. Each bag seems to have feathers that are shorter but all of them seem to be good quality.  100% natural feathers are good but way to expensive if your like me and build lots of arrows.

[Rough Run]

I have the same expectations as you.  But I find many flawed feathers, it seems to me - sometimes 2-3 per dozen.  That seems high to me.  I have used only reputable brands, from reputable suppliers.  I don't think the suppliers have any idea, it all depends upon the quality control of the manufacturer.  So far, Tru Flight has been the best of the bunch for me, too.

[Michael Pfander]

2x on Trueflite

[David Mitchell]

X2 on feathers from Sagittarius archery. best quality feathers I have ever had from any source. Price is good too.

[Fletcher]

I prefer TrueFlight, too.  Usually buy from Kustom King or 3RA.

[Pine]

True flight for me as well .

[McDave]

I've always bought True Flight full length feathers and chopped them myself, because I've always been perfectly happy with them and see no reason to change.  Using full length feathers, I'm sure I've chopped more than a thousand feathers in all different colors.  I've never rejected a single feather.  Some I've had to search for the best place to chop, but I've always ended up with a chopped feather that looks perfect to me.  (I use a Vario Clipper, which does produce good chops).

Once I had a chance to buy a lot of AMG seconds at a discounted price that were chopped to 5".  The only thing I use 5" feathers for are my flu-flus, where I mount 6 feathers on one end and a judo on the other, for stump shooting.  They get torn up pretty quickly, so I thought seconds would be fine.  Frankly, I couldn't tell why they were seconds.  I would look at one and think, "this looks fine to me."  So I guess I must be a poor judge of feathers.  Fortunately, I am a better judge of women (in case my wife ever reads this!).

[Trenton G.]

I use TruFlight shield cuts and I've never had an issue.

[alex321]

I have just bought several hundred Sagitarrius feathers and will let you know what I think when they arrive.
Cheers
ALex

[Jon Stewart]

I think the feed has a lot to do with the durability of domestic turkey feathers. And anytime you dye a feather you are loosing something also.

I use truflight feathers and  wild turkey feathers.

[longbow fanatic 1]

Originally posted by McDave:
Fortunately, I am a better judge of women (in case my wife ever reads this!).

[forestdweller]

How does Gateway compare to Trueflight to those that have used both? I currently use Gateway feathers and have yet to have a problem with them but if Trueflight is better I'll try them out.

[DanielB89]

I have bought True Flights and Bearpaw and have not had any complaints about anything.  Sure, there are probably a couple in a 100 or so that may not be "up to par", but I just throw them away and use the next one.  I would say there hasn't ever been 2-3 out of a dozen that were bad.  Maybe 2-3 per 100.

[Burnsie]

Trueflight from The Footed Shaft

[FlintNSteel]

Trueflight for me.  Bought Gateway once and once only.

[KevinK]

Originally posted by FlintNSteel:
Trueflight for me.  Bought Gateway once and once only.

Unfortunately I have more than once. They are cheaper...you get what you pay for though. I had several dozen, and through most away. I got a lot of curling at the back edge. My local guy gets some through his distributor (Pape's I think) and they were inexpensive but much better than Gateway. I don't know the brand or mfg but wish I did as they are close to Trueflight in quality. He doesn't keep a lot of colors in stock (deals with compounds mostly) and has to order in the 1,000+ count.