Burner vs Chopper??

[FerretWYO]

Those who have used both please give me the pros and cons.

[Barney]

Burner never gets dull. Choose your feather shape with a ribbon. Does stink a bit but you get used to it. I've got half a dozen choppers and regret selling my burner. I'll get another.

[FerretWYO]

Thanks Barney.

[WESTBROOK]

Ferret, I pondered the same thing a couple years ago. Went with the burner, glad I did.

The only con is the smell, definately an outdoor sport.

Pro's  

LW/RW..a burner dont care.

want another feather shape/size? bend the wire or splurge $2 on a new wire.

Faster..once fletched you can burn off a dozen arrows in less than 5 min.

No comparison for me, burner everytime.

Eric

[Barney]

More consistent feather shape also. A burner makes them all the same, every time.

[Widow's Son]

Only trouble I've had is getting the wire too close to a wood arrow and scorching the shaft. I haven't used mine in years but it works great when set up correctly. My choppers work okay but it's tough to get a even cut when your blade gets dull which doesn't take long.

Ross

[JRY309]

When I first start making my own arrows over 20 years ago I bought a chopper.I made a couple of dozen arrows,but just wasn't happy with the chopper.Bought a burner,much happier and you are not limited to a feather shape and LW or RW.I still have and use my burner today.

[Onehair]

Burner

[Pat B]

I've used both and by far prefer the burner. I think you get a lot cleaner shaping and all fletchings are the same since you burn an already mounted fletching.

[JamesV]

I have used both and the burner is the way to go OUTSIDE.

[Craig]

Burner

[Rob W.]

You guys are killing me. I was about to buy a bannana chopper and see this. May have to save a little and get a burner. I have used a burner and really liked it.

Gearing up for season has got me spending more that I thought. A chopper would make it under the wifes radar. The price of a burner is a different story.  :D  


Rob

[macbow]

If just doing your own arrows the burner is the way to go. There is a learning,curve especially setting up not to touch the shaft. Some paints etc. are very flammable.

If you do,a lot of say kids arrows then a,chopper is more productive.

I have both and I use the choppers more. Only get the burner out for special,arrows.

A burner is too expensive if you only do a couple of dozen  arrows a year.

[TIM B]

I've had good luck with the chopper- been using the same one for over 15 years and have made countless arrows with it- I did have to replace the wood block you smack with a hammer but that's it.  But now you guys are making me wonder what I'm missing out on...hmmm i have always wanted a burner...
Tim B

[Rob W.]

My thinking is I can chop a bannana for myself and with the left over chop the kids some 3" feathers or mini flu flu's. I fletch 3-4 dozen a year.


Rob

[Dirtybird]

I've have used both and prefer the burner.  I kinda like the aroma of the burnt feathers, but thats just me.  Other than the smell I don't really see any cons for the burner.  You might have to play with it a bit to get the hang of it but I simply love it.

[dnovo]

I have both choppers and a burner. I used the choppers for years and was always satisfied with the results. Then I got the burner and like it much more.
You can get extra wire and do as many shapes and sizes as your heart desires. I do a lot of splicing and it is so much easier with a burner to shape it after you fletch an arrow.

[karrow]

burners dont get dull. burners can do any shape you want, and if you burn and dont like the shape you can still tweak it slightly by just bending the wire and reburning. with choppers once you chop and glue it on the shaft thats it.

Im a burner type guy

[iohkus]

Have a burner and was almost decided to buy a chopper, but after reading this thread have changed my mind, and I'll stick with the burner. I like it for all the reasons given. About the only thing I would dislike is the discoloring of both the shaft and the base ends of the feather, but both can be cleaned up. The biggest attribute I bought it for in the first place was the ability to make ANY shape and size fletch I wanted.
       BTW, if price is a deterrent, a homemade burner can be made if you have access to or can build a transformer.  

[Bldtrailer]

Chopper you can make fletchings and have them ready for quick repairs and do alot at a time (but not the most consistant) alot of BANGING NOISE & a BIG RUBBER        WIFE LOL) but once set up makes very exact fletching time after time. fletching must be on shaft to burn. you can make any shape you can think of ( I make 1/4 inch plywood forms to help shape the wire. But the wire can be bent out of shape if you're not carefull when storing(need to have extra ribbons)