Spliced Feather Pricing

[Dustin Waters]

I recently agreed to help a fellow tradganger out and splice up some feathers for him.  I figured I would turn to the experts in pricing them out to figure out a fair price.  Normally it takes about 1.5 feathers to complete one five inch spliced feather with a single splice in it.

So knowing that here is how I broke down the price.
This is all cost to me prices
Barred feather .83
Fletch tape .03
solid feather .27 (one solid will make two spliced)
shipping of products to me .26

Then my fee for the splice .75 for each splice done.

Round about total for a single spliced barred feather   2.14.

Does that sound about right to anyone else?
Would anyone else pay that price for a spliced feather?
Thought maybe if this turns out and some show interest I could offer this up as a small service to the folks around here.

Let me know please
Dustin

[Mike Vines]

That is why I'm starting to make my own.  I'm cheaper than American money.

[Dustin Waters]

I'm confused is that to say this is a bad price for them spliced?

[Onestringer]

Price is what ever the market will bear.  I splice almost every feather I fletch. Splicing is a very time consuming thing.   I think its fair, but again I know how time consuming the process is.  I say give it a whirl and see what happens.

Scott

[Tom Anderson]

I'd pay that for a spliced feather, for sure, but probably not a whole lot more.
It would actually be more money-smart for me to pay even more for them, though, and just do a carpentry side-job for $40/hr. and buy them from you.

Once you get good at it, be sure to post some pix on here.

[Footed Shaft]

You bet splicing is time consuming. Those who  believe that $2.14 is too much have NEVER tried to splice a feather.      Bill

[Tim Fishell]

Lets put this into perspective.  It takes at least 3 dozen feathers to fletch a dozen arrows.  So at your price of $2.14/feather you are looking at $77.04 plus shipping for enough feathers for a dozen arrows.  For me that would be tough to swallow but like has been said above they would be worth what people are willing to pay.

Now I am not saying they are not worth that because I know it is tough to make spliced feathers that's why I don't use them any more.  To much time and effort for them just to get beat up.  

This is just my $.02 your mileage may vary.

[Tom Anderson]

Tim,
One thing to keep in mind is that folks don't typically use spliced feathers for ALL their fletching....usually just for cock feather only.

[Tim Fishell]

That is true Tom and a good point.  Even so $25 plus shipping for a dozen feathers is more than I am willing to pay.  But who knows.  I never thought I would pay $10-$15 for a broadhead and that seems to be becoming more of the norm.

[sagebrush]

I would hate to have to make them for that. With the cost of feathers and shipping, I think it is a good price. Gary

[Killdeer]

Butt spliced or membrane spliced?

Just adding to the confusion...
Killdeer

Spliced feathers are a labor of love. You could not pay me enough to do that!  

figure in your wages for the job.

[barredfeather]

I splice my own feathers and have spliced many for friends.  I just have them furnish the feathers and don't charge them at all.  But....they get them when they get them, usually a snow winters day project.  Lot of work Dustin so I think your price is fare enough.

Jerry

[jcar315]

I know how long it takes me to do them....way too low. There was a thread on this not too long ago and a company does this too...was curious how much they charged but didn't check into it.

Making arrows takes such a long time I would have to charge a mint to make any money. But I really love making them!!

[Craig]

I have been doing them for over 20 years and I have saved every cut feather. So would I charge todays feather prices or 20 years ago prices.  I always use full length feathers.

[Tom Anderson]

Charge today's feather prices...and whatever you feel like your labor is worth.

[Dustin Waters]

Killy
No short cuts here.  Membrane splices only.  Ill let the recipient of these feathers post up his opinion of the craftsmanship and value of his purchase.  Thanks for all the input.

Dustin

[steadman]

Great idea Dustin. Will be in contact with you.