feather choppers Love em or hate em?

[bigcountry]

Thinking of getting a feather chopper from 3R.  Whats the feeling about em.  I know raptor archery has a video on youtube and makes it look effortless.

[LBR]

Lil Choppers are ok, and pretty easy to use, but don't expect a consistent cut.  I much more prefer the Vario, but I don't think it's available anymore.  I think Herb (sponsor--Herb's Archery) offers his version of the Vario--I haven't tried it, but hear it works great.  The few reports I've heard on the German Ridge haven't been good.  A burner is an option, if you can set it up outside the house--stinks something awful.  Downside is you have to fletch the arrow before you burn the feather to shape.

[Grey Taylor]

The Vario was too expensive for me so I've only used Little Choppers (for which I am thankful since the Vario seems to have disappeared).
Out of 36 cuts to make a dozen arrows I may get 1 to 4 mis-cuts that need to be done over. Sometimes I can correct the original cut but sometimes I have to trash it. I only take one cut per full length feather. Lots of guys get more but since I make arrows for other people I am pretty picky on how they look. When I get into the thicker or wider parts of the feather base I get poor cuts so I don't even go there.
If you're only making a few dozen arrows for yourself, I counsel just getting per-cut feathers. If you want to try cuts that aren't typically available pre-cut, then the chopper is a good, but sometimes frustrating, alternative.

Guy

[eric-thor]

i love my little choppers . i have four of them they work great for me .

[bigcountry]

Thanks all.

[cbCrow]

I used the little choppers for quite sometime and never have any problems. I have even been thinking of getting another.

[Looper]

I use the little chopper, too.  It will make a different shaped cut depending on how thick the base of the feather is, though.  I end up sorting them into similar cuts.  It's a pretty handy tool, but I think I'm going to try a burner. or make one.

[bigcountry]

You know a burner is one of those items you could buy, then use and sell back.  I mean I get a turkey like once every haleys comet visit.

[magnus]

Does a chopper work on natural feathers?

[Old York]

From LBR:

"Lil Choppers are ok, and pretty easy to use, but don't expect a consistent cut."

There it is, what he says, spot-on.

[Looper]

Yep. It works on fingers, too.  So be careful.

[Bjorn]

Get the one from Raptor. Best investment around!

[Killdeer]

Choppers never appealed to me. I like the creative flexibility of designing my own fletch, bending the ribbon and smoking up the house.

Killdeer  

[Ted Fry]

Yep , there not for everyone Killy, But I love mine .
We have some feather choppers that I have been using since we opened for business ( 20 years).
Once you give them a try you will see, in my opinion much better than stinking up the shop.
Good thing we all have a choice eh!

[Killdeer]

Makes the world o 'round, Ted!   :D

Killdeer  

[Mint Hill Mule]

Never used a chopper but love my burner. I can get 2 4" shields per full lenght feather. I bend the ribbon to the shape I want, place it in the burner and hold the feather to the burner. I don't glue on shaft before burning. It works for me.

[vtmtnman]

Little choppers are all I use because of price and availibility.They SUCK for consistancy.You can hit them the same way twice and have the feather look different.I have found that starting the blade down in the base of the feather before chopping helps,but not always.

Why can't someone in the US make a vario or something similar but better.Doesn't make sense why no one in the US carries Varios either.I would've much prefered one of those.Folks that have them say they are better.Never used one myself.

[mcgroundstalker]

I Love My Chopper! Mount it on a piece of heavy stock like a 2X6 and use a rubber mallet. Keep her screws tight and you will get years of use out of the same one.

... mike ...

[bigcountry]

quote:Originally posted by Killdeer:
Choppers never appealed to me. I like the creative flexibility of designing my own fletch, bending the ribbon and smoking up the house.

Killdeer      

Hope dinner smells better.  

[JAG]

Killie, Just gotta ask....What else ya smokin'?
Only kiddin'!  I love my Little Choppers, but on special arrows, I love to use my burner.
I even have an old, old, old burner...dims the lights when ya plug it in.  Don't use it much.  Like the newer ones much better.  Still smokes up the house, quite good!!!!!
JAG/Johnny