stripping quills

so, I went through my stuff and have several picked over necks, only sizes
I'll never need left

as I walked towards the garbage, that dim little bulb in my head went "quill
bodies"

what is the right, easy, way to strip hackle for the quill?

I not sure but maybe a pencil eraser will work.

"Larry and a cat named Dub" wrote in
message m...
I not sure but maybe a pencil eraser will work.


That's what I use.
Ernie

"Larry and a cat named Dub" wrote in
m:

I not sure but maybe a pencil eraser will work.



I've done that with peacock, but never with hackle quills.

As an aside, if they're fairly old and dry, try soaking in water with a
drop of hair conditioner.

Scott

"Larry and a cat named Dub" wrote in message
m...
I not sure but maybe a pencil eraser will work.


I have not tried it more than just to experiment-- I think A.K. Best says to
soak them in bleach (50% bleach, 50% water solution?) I do know if you let
it sit too long it will dissoulve the quill also.

jh

You can use bleach (Javex) but I have found the eraser is more than
adequate.

Soaking them with a weak solution of water and hair conditionner or
water and glycerine is advisable.

Happy tying

Dave

On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 03:59:09 GMT, "Larry L"
wrote:

so, I went through my stuff and have several picked over necks, only sizes
I'll never need left

as I walked towards the garbage, that dim little bulb in my head went "quill
bodies"

what is the right, easy, way to strip hackle for the quill?

John Hightower wrote:
"Larry and a cat named Dub" wrote in
message m...
I not sure but maybe a pencil eraser will work.


I have not tried it more than just to experiment-- I think A.K. Best
says to soak them in bleach (50% bleach, 50% water solution?) I do
know if you let it sit too long it will dissoulve the quill also.

jh

Try hair remover/depilator, works on feather just the same. See the link
below.


http://flytyingworld.com/Tying%20Tec...ing_quills.htm

--
Don`t Worry, Be Happy

Sandy
--

E-Mail:-
Website:- http://www.ftscotland.co.uk
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ICQ : 41266150

Cut away the excess fibers (cut close to quill) so there is less to remove.

I'd recommend wetting the quills in warm water before stripping them,
then use a solution of **25**% bleach, 75% water. While they're
soaking, prepare a stop-bath of baking soda (3 Tbsp) and cold water (4
cups) to douse them in to stop the bleach's action which should keep the
quills from getting unduly brittle. Rinse thoroughly and allow to air
dry COMPLETELY before putting them away.

When you're ready to use the quills, wet a paper towel and fold it in
half, then place the number fo quills you plan to use between the folds
of the towel so they're easier to tie with.

If you'e going to dye any of the quills, make sure they're soaked in
warm water prior to dyeing, and remember, they look darker when they get
wet than they are.

Larry

Larry L wrote:

so, I went through my stuff and have several picked over necks, only sizes
I'll never need left

as I walked towards the garbage, that dim little bulb in my head went "quill
bodies"

what is the right, easy, way to strip hackle for the quill?

"Sandy" wrote in message
...
Try hair remover/depilator, works on feather just the same. See the link
below.

http://flytyingworld.com/Tying%20Tec...ing_quills.htm


I like the line: "You should avoid scratching your head while handling the
cream, unless you're already bald."
--
Stan Gula

"Larry" wrote in message
...
Cut away the excess fibers (cut close to quill) so there is less to
remove.

While they're
soaking, prepare a stop-bath of baking soda (3 Tbsp) and cold water (4
cups) to douse them in to stop the bleach's action which should keep the
quills from getting unduly brittle.

Good info here. I've bought too many "burned spey hackles" that the stem was
so brittle, trying to strip the hackle was impossible because the stem would
break too easily.

On this note, does anybody know exactly which goose feather is used for
"burned spey hackles?"