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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Bakes168 on July 01, 2008, 11:16:00 PM

Title: Feather Chopper
Post by: Bakes168 on July 01, 2008, 11:16:00 PM
Why wouldn't I be able to use the same feather chopper for both right wing and left wing?
It seems like they would go in the same, one would just flex up and one would flex down...right?
Thanks in advance
Bakes  ;)
Title: Re: Feather Chopper
Post by: Ian johnson on July 02, 2008, 07:23:00 AM
you can use both with a bannana chopper, but not with all the other shapes, just stick with one, I shoot right wing
Title: Re: Feather Chopper
Post by: Cherokee Scout on July 02, 2008, 07:31:00 AM
It is because of the way they are designed to cut the base of the feather, the flex is different. The base will roll over more and distort the shape of the cut. You will have a wave across the top of the feather.
Title: Re: Feather Chopper
Post by: Eric Krewson on July 02, 2008, 07:35:00 AM
I use a left chopper to chop right wing and left wing feathers, works OK if you get the opposite wing feather positioned right in the chopper.

You will be putting the opposite wing feather in the chopper up side down and it will have a tendency to curl up. Just takes a little more time to position the feather but cuts them just the same.
Title: Re: Feather Chopper
Post by: leatherneck on July 02, 2008, 07:39:00 AM
I made the mistake of cutting left wing feathers with a right wing shield chopper. My arrows sounded like a jumbo jet when they flew. I have a left wing chopper on order. Anyone need a right wing cheap?
Title: Re: Feather Chopper
Post by: Ian johnson on July 02, 2008, 08:09:00 AM
leatherneck pm sent
Title: Re: Feather Chopper
Post by: Rob DiStefano on July 02, 2008, 08:15:00 AM
I have no problem chopping right wing feathers with my Li'l Chopper left wing shield chopper.  In fact, I find it easier to use a right wing chopper for left wing feathers.
Title: Re: Feather Chopper
Post by: Eric Krewson on July 02, 2008, 02:14:00 PM
To elaborate, put the opposite feather in the chopper, close the lid lightly and us a pencil point to pull the quill tight against the stop, push the lid down hard with your hand to start the blade into the quill. Whack it with your hammer and you will get a perfect cut no waves on the back.
Title: Re: Feather Chopper
Post by: Doc Nock on July 02, 2008, 02:32:00 PM
I got hold of analtered Raptor chopper made into A&A style "mini" chopper to make the small ones Adcock and Ashby are saying works.

Even with a left hand and left feathers...on the smaller feathers, they got wavy sometimes...from quill rolling I guess.

I solved it by using a small box cutter to notch the thick part of the quill where the blade contacted it... got chopper blade in the groove and then whacked it...worked slick..fwiw.  Might work when doing upside down right in left or vice versa.
Title: Re: Feather Chopper
Post by: tim-flood on July 03, 2008, 09:52:00 AM
since the chopper comes straight down , how is there any difference?? I just hold the feather down with my fingers and whack away.  you are not changing the grind or if you strip you are not changing the base in any way.  Now if you fletch with the wrong clamp that can look funny or if you put the feather in the chopper the wrong way, I have always wanted to try that for Flu flus put the feathers on backwards