Bugsy I tried your suggestion and it was a tad better, but still not the results I would like to see.

It may be that you just don't get it to do both sides at once.

I also tried using the center of the tippet feather, with 1/2 dozen barbs on each side of the stem, and sort of rolled it over the hook while tying it in. This did not come out too bad, but still showing the dull sides on a few barbs.

I can get them to look right on one side and since you only see one side while on display I can live with that. For fishing, it don't matter, but I like to tie for display and always trying for the 'perfect' fly (it has not happened yet! )

Bob