First try at splicing feathers

[AndreasLundin]

I am building some arrows for the moment and this is my first try at splicing feathers. I like it so far other than the white feathers are a pain to pull the quill off. No issues with green and yellow. Maybe I got a dodgy batch?

Anyhow I have also done a crown dip/spray and will be doing some cresting tomorrow. I will update this thread as I finish up my first set.

   
   
   
   

Finished product

 

[Tom]

Looking good-sure the finished arrows will look great.

[Roy from Pa]

Very nice...

[zepnut]

So far so good

[DanielB89]

I have noticed that the feathers were tough to pull off the quill as well.  Like so tough that a lot of them broke the quill.

[Homey88]

Nice!

[snag]

Nicely done. If you aren't doing this you might try it. When stripping the vanes off the quill do it in small 1" sections. I find doing it this way doesn't put too much stress on the quill and/or the vane membrane.

[Mike Vines]

Looking good.

[Yewbender]

Looks pretty darn good to me            

[AndreasLundin]

Originally posted by snag:
Nicely done. If you aren't doing this you might try it. When stripping the vanes off the quill do it in small 1" sections. I find doing it this way doesn't put too much stress on the quill and/or the vane membrane.

Thanks for the reply. My coloured feathers works well with this method. My white is more about stripping mm by mm. Even then I get left over quill stuck which I have to scratch off with a scalpel or dremel. Such tedious work.

[AndreasLundin]

Built a home made cresting tool and did a trial to see how the colors came out. The photo in the first post is on top of a clear wrap so I easily can remove it when doing the proper cresting.

Very happy with the result

[snag]

If the feathers are too dried out they will get brittle and not strip well. I keep mine in a container in a closet. Even temp/humidity.

[AndreasLundin]

Originally posted by snag:
If the feathers are too dried out they will get brittle and not strip well. I keep mine in a container in a closet. Even temp/humidity.

Awesome, thanks for that information. Do you think a box with some added humity (wet rag) for a few days could help rehydrate the quill a bit?

[BAK]

Nice splicing but that one jimmy jam cresting is a bit much for me.

[AndreasLundin]

Originally posted by BAK:
Nice splicing but that one jimmy jam cresting is a bit much for me.

Ha ha... yes. This is only to practise the technique. The real crest will be a lot more neat.

[Hatrick]

Great idea on how to practice your crest by using a clear wrap. Splices look really nice, especially for your first time.

How about a picture of your home made cresting tool.

[snag]

Originally posted by AndreasLundin:
 

Originally posted by snag:
If the feathers are too dried out they will get brittle and not strip well. I keep mine in a container in a closet. Even temp/humidity.

Awesome, thanks for that information. Do you think a box with some added humity (wet rag) for a few days could help rehydrate the quill a bit? [/b]

You could try this with one feather and see.

[frank bullitt]

Yep, looking good!

The man that taught me how to build and fletch arrows, always placed his feathers in a damp towel.

[Gator1]

Great job

[AndreasLundin]

Added video of finished product.