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Joe,
Without reviewing all the posts above, allow me to offer up 3 comments that were not mentioned:
1)Wing 'Cutters' like large nail clippers will do the job. However, you must make the size and shape of the 2 wings identical.
2)Wing 'Burners' will accomplish the requirement of #1 above.
3)If you use a Wing Burner, and I believe this is true for most feathers used in this process as well as other materials that may be used, the edges of each barb/fiber are singed and hold together better then if the feather or material was cut.
I hardly use either of these processes, but if I did Burnt Wings would be my preference. So it's entirely possible that #3 is open to other opinions. Lastly, it appears to my view that the wings of the flies in the first post were cut, not burnt.
Tight Wraps.
Allan
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Something that might help with burning wings (I should have mentioned before). When burning two feathers together make a paper, feather, paper, father. paper sandwich. It will make the feathers easier to separate after. Cigarette papers are ideal for this.
Cheers,
A.
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AlanB and Allan,
Thanks for the info and feedback. The fly I was given has the wings burned, not cut. The picture posted was the only "on-line" resource that showed a good representation of the finished fly.
My original issue was trying to find a "pre-made" burner that fit this particular profile. That doesn't look like it's going to be something commercially available. So, that means I get to play around with trying to make some burners. The popsicle stick idea seems to be the best method to work on getting a final shape and pattern. If it becomes a fly I want to tie a lot of then I can go to either a brass or hacksaw blade style burner. Another challenge was the need for the various size ranges, my preference only, as the fly I'm using as the "copy model" is a 14.
I'm with you on the need to have balanced wings and I understand the challenge this presents when it comes to trying to cut them.
I do appreciate the tip on sandwiching the feathers and papers. Great tip!