vario clipper

[neuse]

Is the vario clipper better than the lil chopper?

I have a lil chopper but it can only be adjusted so much. I have a pope young cut that has a high profile at 5".

[East Coast archer]

Neuse

Don't have a vario as they are no longer made, but do have a "HH" knock off of a vario that was made by an old TG member and they are far superior IMO then the lil chopper.  Had 3 lil choppers and sold 2 once I got my "HH" chopper.  Only kept the third because it it a 4" chopper which is what I use for kids arrows.  PM me if you want the info. as he is no longer a member nor a sponsor, even though he was both for a long time and just recently left.

[Pete W]

Vario is back in business again.
 Pete

[McDave]

I have both, and much prefer the Vario.  The Vario is a little slower to use, as you have to insert the quill into a slot, but because of that, you get much more consistent cuts.

It's noticeable; I've had people remark about my feathers and wonder where I got them.  They're surprised when I tell them I chopped them myself, especially if they also chop their own feathers.  I just use a standard shield cut, but the Vario chops it very well.

[neuse]

PM sent East Coast Archer.

Thank yall for the info.

[R. Combs]

Pete, do you know who is selling the Vario now, and do the carry the foam strips that hold the feather in place?

Thanks Rick

[Rob DiStefano]

i have a few of both.  imo, though the vario is somewhat easier to use, and cuts faster/cleaner, any li'l chopper can be coaxed to work just fine at about 1/4 to 1/3 the vario price tag.  these dayze i'd rather burn feathers, and with the coming advent of young burner #4 i'll burn 4" 4-fletch nanners, too, and give up chopping ... well, maybe for now, maybe for good - who knows or cares.   :D

[Zradix]

Originally posted by Rob DiStefano:
i have a few of both.  imo, though the vario is somewhat easier to use, and cuts faster/cleaner, any li'l chopper can be coaxed to work just fine at about 1/4 to 1/3 the vario price tag.  these dayze i'd rather burn feathers, and with the coming advent of young burner #4 i'll burn 4" 4-fletch nanners, too, and give up chopping ... well, maybe for now, maybe for good - who knows or cares.      :D    

I think the chopper's biggest downfall is the "hump" that often appears towards the tip.

This happens when the base rolls while chopping.

Part of the "coaxing" I think (and might be wrong) Rob is referring to is trimming the base to length before chopping so you don't actually cut the base with the chopper.

Doing this really worked for me.

[snag]

I wonder if gluing a strip of foam, say 1/4" wide, on the inside of the cutter edge would help the chopper? This way when you bring the top down onto the feather it would hold the quills in place when you chop the feather....?

[BOWMARKS]

Does anyone know who deals in the Vario? Can only find the Longbow shop in England.

[Tree Rat]

Herb's in Canada makes Vario/Vario duplicates and parts. I believe Git R Done also carries parts, also Canadian too.

In reality once you buy the base a Vario doesn't cost any more than a LC. Vario blades were cheaper than a LC. I think they cost about the same now.

[Pete W]

Herb's parts are interchangable with the Vario brand, and virtualy identical.
 Dennis at Git-r-donearchery in Calgary has Vario's, and I think he has some of Herbs there too.
 Pete

[East Coast archer]

Byron

Responded back.

[Zradix]

Originally posted by snag:
I wonder if gluing a strip of foam, say 1/4" wide, on the inside of the cutter edge would help the chopper? This way when you bring the top down onto the feather it would hold the quills in place when you chop the feather....?

Hi Snag,
The lil choppers come with about a 1/2" square strip of foam that lies flush with the length of the inside of the blade. It looks and feels much like the coils of adhesive backed door seal foam you can buy at the hardware store.

Not sure if they always came this way as I bought my first chopper just a few months ago.
I was getting the hump in quite a few feathers until I started pre-cutting to length so the chopper only cut the feather vanes.

On a side note, I found that since I was pre-cutting, I could cut a bit long and sand down the base to length at an angle so I got a really nice/smooth shaft to feather transition.

[snag]

Good idea Zradix!