stripped vs. ground feathers

[briarjumper12]

It seems most everyone uses ground feathers. I stripped a few yesterday to try out.
Will stripped feathers hold up good? If they do, what makes it worth all the trouble to grind down the quills.
I am working on a grounding system but if the stripped feathers work just as good, why not go that route? I think I will like the low profile the stripped feathers have on the shaft compared to ground.

What's your alls sentiments on this issue?

John

[JackCrafty]

I like stripped feathers for my personal arrows but if I am making arrows for someone else I use ground feathers.  There's no difference in durability if you glue them down and spiral wrap.

[Tom Leemans]

Ground feathers are easier to insert in a feather clamp. That's about the only difference I've seen. They both hold up well.

[briarjumper12]

Thank you for the comments gentlemen.  I will soon fletch some up with stripped feathers and try them out.

I have some thread I intend to spiral wrap with.  What kind of glue should I use on it? And do soak the thread, then wrap, or wrap and then coat in some kind of glue?
Thanks,
John

[JW_Halverson]

I always start by stripping.  Just some of the feathers tear out a lot of quill, so those get ground down.  As earlier mentioned, the only advantage to ground is that they hold better in a clamp.

[Tom Leemans]

I put them on with fletch tape, then wrap. Keeps them from wiggling.

[briarjumper12]

I am going to be trying a wrap too.  Should be pretty cool.  Just got the shafts stained this evening.

[bowtarist]

bj12, I think some folks soak the feathers for a bit before stripping.  Just an idea, I've only stripped a few, and have never soake them, but I think some prefer soaking.  good luck, dp

[FAW]

This may be " old hat" to some here but I position the ground feather in the clamp and then file it down to the shape of the particular clamp I am using so that just a trace of the former ground is visible and still allow enough base to clamp. It also allows for good adhesion and a very uniform spiral wrap.

[crooketarrow]

  Toms right only difference I can see is it's easer to put in a clamp.
 I've used both but strated out grining mine and never really got over doing it. I don't get in a hurry so it's just one more step I enjoy doing.

[briarjumper12]

The ones I stripped I put in a vise, base down and started stripping from the top.  Been too busy to get much done lately but I got the shafts ready for a few coats of poly or tru oil or tung oil, whatever I grab first.  Then I'll fletch and photo em for you guys.  May take a while though. I just picked up a used jointer, router table and work bench with tail vises and I'd say I'll have to foo with them for a day or two before I get back to arrow building.

[Tom Leemans]

I was just going to add that if you're wrapping them for the first time, there is a right and wrong direction and that will be dictated by the feather. One direction will fight you and the other will fall in smoothly. You'll get the hang of it rather quickly.

[JackCrafty]

To answer the question of whether to apply glue to the wrapping before or after, I always apply glue on top of the spiral wrap after it is done.  I apply the front and back wrappings with glue during and after.

[dbb]

I have some problems stripping feathers (need more practice)But its worth the hassle when shooting off the hand.
More than once i have pulled featherfragments out from blodied knuckles.

[knightd]

Try taking your feathers and putting them in a Walmart bag or such and put them in the freezer for a day or so before you try and strip them.. Most of the time when you have a problem stripping them it is because they are to dry. Putting them in the freezer will solve that..