Making fletchings

[Pat B]

You need to come back. 

[Pappy]

You was supposed to keep that to yourself JW. and yes you need to come back sometime. To each their own , but I prefer splitting and grinding them, simply because they are easier for me to deal with when putting on an arrow.
 Pappy

[Eric Krewson]

As for a grinding clamp; I use a Jo-Jan straight fletching clamp with the fixture that holds it in the jig ground off. You can see it in this picture lying on my fletching table, I use it on a sanding block while fletching if I have a feather with an extra thick quill that needs a little thinning. I also use it if I cut my own fletching for shaping the quill on my belt sander.

[TimBo]

Can you strip goose feathers?  I thought that only worked with turkey.  I havn't managed to accumulate enough goose feathers to try them.

[Pat B]

You can strip any feathers if they are not too dry. If they are you can rehydrate them.

[JW_Halverson]

I have stripped macaw and parrot feathers, exotic owl feathers, English sparrow feathers, duck wing-pheasant-grouse.  If it is a feather, it all comes down to the feather not being too dried out/

[TimBo]

OK, good to know.  Now I just need to remember to go out looking for molted goose feathers next June.

[JW_Halverson]

OK, good to know.  Now I just need to remember to go out looking for molted goose feathers next June.

I mean, who is too proud to take free fletchings?

[Ruddy Darter]

I like to throw the geese some wholegrain bread when I do collect feathers. Maybe I'm too proud,  but I feel I've done a good honest trade then. 

 R.D.