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Stripping Quills
With Depilatory (Hair Removal) Cream

Information by Paco Soria

If you've ever stripped quills by pulling off the fibers then you know it damages the quill’s enamel coating.  The most popular method is messy method of burning the fibers off with a 50/50 solution of household bleach and water.  It involves soaking, rinsing, and re-soaking, until you get it right.  Different types and sizes of feathers require different soaking times and you have to be careful not to over soak it the quill will burn and become too brittle to use.  A change in stem color may also occur.

I learned of a method from my good friend in Spain, Paco Soria, that eliminates all that mess.  He discovered that depilatory (hair removal) cream would melt away feather fibers like it does the hair and it is as gentle on the quill as it is on your skin.

Follow the instructions as if removing hair.  Apply the cream generously and agitate between the thumb and forefinger to ensure it gets to the base of the fibers.  It isn’t necessary, but if you cut away the fibers to leave stubs, you will save on the amount of cream used.  

Allow the cream to work 5 or 10 minutes, depending on the fiber thickness, and then rinse it off along with the fibers.  Timing isn't critical as is with bleach.  It works on any feathers, from peacock herl to goose quills.

Caution:  The stripping process should be performed in the bathroom sink, away from the rest of your materials.  You may want to put a drop of soap in your hands and wash the quills after stripping but I haven’t had a problem by simply rinsing well.  You should avoid scratching your head while handling the cream, unless you're already bald.

The quill will be ready to tie after rinsing.  Any fiber stubs that you miss should easily rub off, especially after it dries.  If the quill dries before you use it, just place it in a folded wet napkin for a minute or two.  Wrapping dry may result in splitting.

This was one of the best fly tying discoveries I’ve had in many years.  No more rubber gloves or worrying about proper ventilation and smelly bleach.  The only down side is it would be more time consuming and more expensive to process large quantities.  But it is quick and easy for a dozen or so at a time. 

Ed Gallop

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