This is the way I grip the feather.

T1332.jpg

I might be wrong on this but the feather really gets a grip this way. Maybe it's the black substance that is in the cut-off end of the brass tube that helps with the grip. Holding the feather in line with the brass tube also makes the whole deal compact and easily worked into position.
All I can suggest is either give it a try both ways to see which way works best for you or call TyFlyz and ask their opinion.