To burn or chop?

[Bob58]

Hopefully in a day or two I'll have some nice barred turkey primaries. I would like to use them to fletch some arrows. What do those of you who make your own fletching prefer? Thanks in advance!

Bob

[LBR]

Chopper for me--don't care for the stink.

Chad

[John Young]

I like to burn my feathers because I'm not limited to any one length and they look more custom.I even modify die cut feathers when I get a good buy on them.I reburnt some 5.5 parabolic's to 4" feathers on arrows for my nephew.When I first started I bought a chopper,did 3 dozen feathers but wasn't happy with the cuts.Then I bought my burner and thats what I prefer,still working after 12 years.

[LBR]

I should clarify--Vario Feather Clipper for me--works a lot better than the other one. I've been aggravated more than once with the cuts before I got the Vario, now I have a few with a couple more on order.

Chad

[OkTrad]

chopper

[Inhimwelive]

Sharp shears and a pattern.. I cant see burning or chopping when I can do it faster and cheaper with shears..

[OkTrad]

You may do it cheaper with shears, but not much. A chopper costs $20. No way you can do it faster with shears than a chopper.

[AKRuss]

I do both and agree that burning REALLY stinks. I only burn outside since I got married, LOL. I trim the burned edge with a dremel tool with a sanding drum attachment. You can create any shape you want by burning and it gives the arrows a truly custom look. However, I've started mostly chopping my feathers. Guess I'm naturally lazy ...

[JimPic]

Been using a burner for years.I started out with a chopper but hated the constant "BAM,BAM".I open a window,turn a fan on,close thew door and burn away---no complaints

[AK in PA]

I prefer a feather burner. It's faster and offers infinite options. The one and only feather chopper I bought was a pain. I'd whack it with a rubber mallet two or three times, only to find my feathers still weren't entirely cut. I'd adjust it, whack it, and still get a no go. Then I'd whack harder and bend the metal blade. So I'd have to straighten the blade, whack hard, bend it, repeat. Took forever. The burner does stink like mad, but it's no big deal as long as you do it outside. :)

[CCArrows]

I chop. So far I have used only the Little Chopper. But, I would like to try the Vario Clipper.

[AKRuss]

Who sells the Vario Clipper?

[LBR]

AK in PA, you just got a defective chopper. I don't have that kind of trouble even with my old "worn out" ones.

AK Russ, they are made in Germany--you can do a search and find the website (I don't know if off the top of my head).

I don't know of any U.S. dealers--Dennis at Git-r-Done Archery and Herb at Herb's Archery (both in Canada) are dealers. I've had very good experieces with both.

Chad