I've been fletching arrows for 45+ yrs. My parents got me a used Bitzenberger for Christmas when I was 12 with a right wing clamp. Couldn't say how many feathers and vanes went through that first clamp but now have all three styles for the original jig. When I firs saw spliced feathers I only wished I knew how....well, after a few You Tube videos, and several destroyed feathers, I assembled my first arrow with a tri colored pattern. It's not the prettiest, but I'm persistent and will keep at. I just got an older Bohning crester on a trade and will be starting that to match splices in the future. Arrow building is very addictive and plan on building wooden arrows as soon as I get some more tools for them.

Anyone else splice feathers...?

I do. For my hunting arrows I like to splice white onto the last inch or so, then paint the shaft white from there back to a white nock. All white on just the end of the arrow doesn't act like a big quiver full of white feathers and cap dipped arrows to alert game, but it's enough that from the shooter's view, it allows me to follow the arrow in flight and looks like a white cotton ball against the side of a deer as it passes through which lets me see right where the arrow went in.

Like you I have been making my own arrows for a lot of years but never have spliced any feathers. I wouldn't mind learning how. Would you happen to have the URL for any of those videos? I suppose I could do a search but I would appreciate it if you would let me be my usual lazy self. :-)

I do, not every time but when I want something special. These I made for hunting.

I've been making my own arrows since 1988. Sometimes I make my arrows plain and sometimes fancy with spliced feathers. Here are some of my arrows I made with spliced feathers.

A few years ago I made six cedar banana fletched arrows with spliced feathers for hunting. I killed five bucks with five of them six arrows. Plain arrows will shoot and kill just as good as a fancy arrow but there is something special about a well-made pretty cedar arrow. JMO

Nice work, guys.

Cool!

I’ve been splicing my own for years. I’m like Jeff , I like that little bit of white that I can see but it’s not enough to spook animals.

I’ve been splicing my own for years. I’m like Jeff , I like that little bit of white that I can see but it’s not enough to spook animals.

I was out of white and going to try them when they come in the mail. True flight has been my staple feather but prices are soaring... What are some cheaper $ options...? Without sacrifice of quality..

I've done a ton of it since I started making my arrows in the 80's. Both butt and membrane splicing. Just simple butt splicing anymore now.

Kids arrows too long ago ...but not so much anymore. They lose or break them too often..:))

Ottertails, You are an artist... Crests are so much better looking than wraps. Are these pictures done with membrane or butt splice...?

Question; when butt splicing, are you cutting through the quill by 90° x 90°..? (down the angle of the feather, then 90 down and 90 across the quill...?)

Absolutely works of art! You folks make me envious. I just finished up six dozen woodies tonight for a couple of lighter bows I’m shooting. I’m just glad to have most of the feathers going the same direction. I stared building wooden arrows 60 years ago, and it is addictive and also a lifetime hobby. Thanks for sharing and making an old dog wonder about new tricks...

What is your splicing method? Aligning pieces, of different colors, one behind another, or are you leaving the main quill in tact and attaching the different colors to it?

here are some i made... i leave the main quill and peel off a small piece than reattach different color in place of that, than use the feather chopper,

A few I made this winter

Yes arrow making can become addictive and a lot of fun.

Bob

Some gorgeous work guys! I've done it both ways, but my attempts were pretty amateur compared to those. Nowadays I'll grab a dozen from Gary at D&M when I need some with spliced fletchings ;)

Nice Bob, really nice.

Gorgeous arrows guys

Great looking arrows added, nice work fellas.

Rivercain, those are all butt spliced...and I don't consider myself an artist but thanks anyway. I'll have to dig around to see if I have any cutoffs of membrane spliced. I didn't do more than maybe a few dozen of membrane...pia, for me anyway. I use a razor or a pair of quality cuticle scissors to cut the quill by sliding either between the vanes of the feather down onto the quill, straight across, square, no angle cut.

These I did in the 80's early 90's...some old Stotler midnocks and another brand of nock I don't remember the name of I used back then. Not the neatest job on these.

Scoop, 60 years ago?!! I'm thinking you could teach me/others a few tricks eh!

Bob, I remember when you did that patriotic arrow, very cool, glad you posted it.

Some I made for our annual Festival auction this year

Well, without a doubt, it's safe to say that there are some very talented folks building arrows out there! WOW!!!!!!

Thank you gents for sharing your creations!

Those are really nice, Ron.

AMAZING TALENT!!!

AMAZING TALENT!!!

Blown away gents. Eye candy across the board.

You know this thread right here is a BIG reason I like this place. Handwork of the talented. Well done. Thanks for all the photos.

Ron, Beautiful arrows.

Thanks guys, enjoy the membrane splicing. Learned how to marry feathers tying Atlantic Salmon flies years ago.

I’ve been splicing feathers on arrows for over 30 years I’d bet. Seems many more recently doing so again. Great to see the resurgence

Oregon, great looking arrows as usual. You and I think his handle is snag are a couple of the best.

Some real artists on here. Wow nice work guys looking fantastic. Thanks for sharing your talents.....

Sent these to a fella in Kentucky this week.

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