Peacock Herl

[DaveM]

I have been given a load of Peacock feathers.
Is there an easy way of getting the Herl off the quill or do you just cut it off or pull it from the quill then trim of the curly bit of quill ?

Also is there any use for the Eye of the feather, the really colourful part ?

I know the thicker herl comes from that end and is ideal for stripping for buzzers.

There alos looks to be a few Swords in there as well !!!!!!!!!!!

Just getting them ready for freezing before putting with the rest of my materials.

If anyone wants some eyes if they are of any use let me know and they are yours.

Thanks

Dave

[DaveMcC]

I use a pencil eraser to take the hearl off the quill.

[DaveM]

Cheers Dave, but I meant getting the herl off the main quill, not stripping the herl.

Dave

[arkle]

It's probably easier to just cut the top 12" or so off the top of each eye, that way at least nature stores it in size order. Use side cutters or similar though as the quills will ruin scissors.

[DaveM]

Originally Posted by arkle

It's probably easier to just cut the top 12" or so off the top of each eye, that way at least nature stores it in size order. Use side cutters or similar though as the quills will ruin scissors.

Thanks for that, seems the most logical thing to do.

[diogg]

Originally Posted by arkle

It's probably easier to just cut the top 12" or so off the top of each eye, that way at least nature stores it in size order. Use side cutters or similar though as the quills will ruin scissors.

What is a 'side cutter' and why will quills ruin scissors?

[taylor990]

Originally Posted by diogg

What is a 'side cutter'

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/160mm-D...4Pa38Ta38PaN50

hope this helps mate,
regards,
matt.....

[bugsplat]

Just cut the herl off the main quill with your scissors, that's what they do in the fly tying dvd's I have.

Cheers, Dave.

[Steve_C]

I just use scissors to cut the herl from the stem, the eye section I always use for quill bodies as it tends to be lighter when the herl is stripped off and stands out better on the body, by the way I use veet/emac har remover when stripping quills, quicker and easier than a rubber imo.

Steve