I know turkeys have right wings and left wings. After I split the wing I am getting 2 large spices. One fits right clamp and other would fit left clamp( if I had one.) Am I supposed to only use the feathers with a right clamp off the right side of a turkey or just the right side of the feather after I split the wing. Both pieces look identical except for the right or left offset.
Nope. Both sides of the same feather aren't identical, and you only use one side. Suppose I should never say never. Some folks have probably used the other side as well.
Anyway, after they're split, you use the larger side of the feather for fletching. That's the trailing side. Envision the feather on the bird with its wings outstretched. Viewed from the front, you want the part of the feather that is on the back/far side of the quill. Hope that makes sense.
Feathers from the left wing need a left wing clamp, and feathers from the right wing need a right wing clamp. Don't mix right and left wing feathers on one arrow.
A good way to determine left or right wing once off the bird is to look them up on Google or compare to some marked fletches you have.
For prime fletching when you split the feather you would use only the part that was on the outside bend or the largest usually.
The other side is discarded. Unless doing some type of special fletching.
I'm guessing he is referring to the secondary feathers? If you split them you can get a RH LH matching set, and I just finished last night making Flu Flu's from them. Are they good for 2ndary fletchings, I also would like to know?
Thanks south. That's exactly what I was trying to ask. I have about 40 left and 40 right after splitting them. They look just like the 5 inch I already use. The right fits on the clamp just like a gateway. Just wanted to know if they were usable or if not, why? I know a left won't work I'm a right clamp but why won't the right side of the split work?
Sid,
I have approximately 230 RH and LH secondary feathers and 460 total once split. I plan on chopping them into 4" shield fletchings and if they look like they'll work I'll use them for practice arrows, Flu Flu's and other projects.
Normally it the primaries that are used for fletchings as they are firmer, quieter, and hold up best for durability. At least that what I've been led to believe.
Here the Flu Flu I made last night after grounding down the quill very thin so it would wrap around the shaft easily, not the best quality picture but you get the point.
(http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy235/jalmay5th/2014-03/7b4cb917-7110-40eb-8f61-e48005d9a9c0.jpg) (http://s795.photobucket.com/user/jalmay5th/media/2014-03/7b4cb917-7110-40eb-8f61-e48005d9a9c0.jpg.html)
John, thanks. I just wanted to make sure they were usable for something. I'll make practice arrows with them.