Home > Arrows and Arrow Making > Vario "Clipper" Feather Chopper

The most common shape of feather fletch on sale is the Parabolic next up is shield, if you want something different then you have limited choice, either buy a feather burner or a chopper. There are several choppers on the market all of which take ground full length feathers and this Vario Clipper is no different.

There are upwards of 20 different shapes available as standard and there is an option to create your own custom shapes, tell the suppliers what you want, a sketch will do, and however bizare the shape they will custom make the cutter for you.

Cutters are available in left and right wing versions and in 4" or 5" models.

The chopper itself is quite robust, it has to be because the technology behind it involves a rubber mallet to power it.

Place the feather in the mounting strip, close down the jaws of the cutter and give it a sharp whack, the feather is cut !!

Of course the first time you use it you realise that the mounting strip has been cut along with the base plate, over time these will need replacing, I was surprised how long the mounting strip will actually last as I have cut dozens and dozens of feathers and it is still going strong. Spares are available and quite cheap, mounting strips are around £3 and base plates in the region of £7.

Changing the cutters is simplicity itself, a screw holds it in place, it takes less than a minute to change to a new shape.

Of course the draw back is that each time you want a new shape or size you have to buy another cutter - I have quite a collection now but never seem to have the one I want.

It's a great little tool as now even shield can be hard to get hold of.

The only other option for making your own shapes lies with a scissors or a feather burner.

 How do you shape your feathers ?

Rating
Features & Design
OK it's a little primitive, but it does work
Performance
The only draw back is that you have only the choice of cutters that you own, but it does get the job done
Value for Money
Not really particular value, there are better ways to spend these ££'s
Overall
If you buy the chopper and a couple of cutters you are already in the territory of the feather burner which is a much more versatile tool

 

 

 

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Steve Nicholson and Andy Gilfrin, are real archers interested in the best archery suppliers have to offer. In our search for the very best bow, arrows and equipment we have shot, used and worn pretty much everything on offer.

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Essential Details
What : Vario "Clipper" Feather Chopper Price : £50 chopper unit / £12 cutter

A simple yet effective solution to cutting feathers

A rubber mallet has always been one of my favourite tools, but this time it is actually the right tool for the job.

Magazine

July 2010 The Mary Rose story comes to life this month, when Steve and Andy went to visit archaeologist Alex Hildred and got our hands on 500 year old long bows (literally). We look at the battle of Vernuiel, Andy visits France on a peace mission and we talk to Sid at Border.


June 2010 Bumper edition this month, a pig in armour, Geoff towers direct from Homildon Hill and a look at the Mary Rose. There is also news of the UK Atlatl championships and all the usual regular items.


May 2010 This month sees the release of yet another Robin Hood film, to celebrate this months magazine is a Robin Hood special. We look at the man behind the legend with a couple of articles about the man and the period that gave rise to him. We also have an article on Little John, not Robin Hoods side kick but John Cately of Little John Arrow, he talks to us about his life in archery and the way he likes to make his arrows. 

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