I have a copy of Russ' (Goldenwitch) feather inlay article and have had very good results with inlays so far. I have followed his directions, using a (silk) thread underwrap to rest the feather on, then coating with cp and finish.
I would like to place a feather directly on a blank, using no thread underwrap. To "contain" the cp or finish, do you border each end of the feather with trim wraps of thread, or is there other methods? Thanks for any help! Mike

I place thread wraps at each end of an inlay. Usually, right at the handle with a triple-singlewind inlay, then position feathers and place an exact opposite wrap after the inlay (make sense, by opposite, I mean to make it look symetrical). Just place the wraps an equal distance from each end of the inlay (otherwords, center the inlay between the wraps). I would not ever use full strength CP on a bare-blank inlay, my results have left a haziness(milkiness) when using fullstrength. If using directly on blank I use 30/70 mix of CP/water. The CP I use is Brilliance from Clemens.
Works great for me. If I really want a short butt section being finished I will put my inscription or label just opposite the inlay (bottom of the rod). But looks fine by placing above your outer wrap.

Thanks for the reply Elrod!
Here is how I understand the method: The feather is coated in the 30/70 cp/water mix, applied to a bare (unfinished) blank and let dry, and then coated with finish (LS2000 or whatever) until level? Will give it a go. Thanks again, Mike

I usually apply a little extra cp/water mix once the feathers are in place, but not so much that it runs all over the blank. Just directly to the feathers, enough to connect the feather to the blank. Let dry at least 24 hours. Even then, if multiple feathers, I hit with a hair dryer to make sure no wet "pockets" are left.

Thanks Elrod I really appreciate your help! This will be a "handy" method when I can't match a underwrap color with a blank color or certain feather.
Happy Thanksgiving, and best regards, Mike

I still have the samples that Rich and Solly did both ways was pleased either way.

Please, don't show those first frankenstein attempts to anyone.

We were playing and I agree, you can do either way. I think we even tried metallic underwrap for the flashy saltwater 'fly' attempt ('attempt' is about right). If I remember one had a yellow underwrap with a brown spotted grouse feather? Ugly, but it finished about right. These were all practice and nothing to show anyone. Thank god we didn't put them on a finished blank.

I think a lot depends on the color of the blank itself. I remember seeing some samples of the guild projects and remember seeing the bare blank feather inlays better show on the colored (matte green?) blanks. Nothing wrong with underwraps. is the point.
Damn. now coach you are giving me halftimer's again.

I'll have the blunderbust loaded again for more grouse. They make good table fare as well.

Rich