I have just started to splice my feathers and wondered if you make 3" or 4" feathers do you get more than one cut feather per full feather?
I can get two 4" feathers but find the quill and the feather too thin in the top of the feather to make a really nice cut feather. I also found that it's much easier to Mate the splice if a same part of the feather is used.
To make the best looking feathers you should use the same area to make one feather. Seems to be a waste of the rest but it makes the best results. I do keep the rest of the feather and match some together for beat around arrows.
I make mine about 4-1/4" and I get 2 per feather. If they are feathers I processed I can get2 5" out of the primary's but usually true flight feathers I can get at least 2. I don't worry about the thin base as long as it glues I'm fine with it.
The preferred way is what Biggamefish says. All the vanes in the feather match up better so you donot get separation of vanes when your done.
No, splicing feathers is not economical. That is one reason arrows with spliced feathers cost a bunch. I have been able to get at least one 5 in spliced feather and one plain 4 in cut out of a full length feather.
Thanks, I might use the best part for my hunting arrows and the thinner one for target practise. Felt like a waste to throw half a feather.
I will make a post with my new hopefully nice arrows.