Hi Mick; Lucky you for getting the capes. I have not experienced the twisting you mention while using Whiting Hackles.
I feel that perhaps the feathers have dried out some and this has made them stiff.
I have in the past soaked some Andelucian capes in water overnight and found that the whisks dry out quickly and the stem stays reasonably pliable.
Another trick that is frightening until you try it. Is to grip the hackle at each end and pull it over a rounded edge about 1/4 of an inch Dia to flatten one side a bit. Starting at the butt end and pulling slowly down with a good angle between the two ends
make sure you flatten the correct side of the hackle so you dont end up with the hackle facing back instead of forward or visa versa. Have fun and I hope you can get over the problem. If you can. A Cigar Humidor can be of help to condition the capes. Jax
[This message has been edited by Jax (edited 29 July 2005).]
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