Even on the primary feathers, which there are usually 8 to no more than 10 on each wing of a bird, have a #1 and a #2. If you look at the base of the feather and look up you will see an oil line. If the oil line goes more than half way up the feather, it is a #1 and the best. If the oil line goes less than half way up it is a #2, which is still good, but not quite as stiff. The stiffest feathers are on the front of the wing starting with those 2 o 3 small pointers and get wider and softer as they go back to the rear of the wing.