Thanks Griff

[GyrXPeales]

Griff the hood arrived yesterday and I must say I'm just blown away! It is truly a thing of beauty. The gape fit well enough out of the box that I was able to get it on her without her going nuts, which is usually the case. I trimmed the throat down first as this bird always seems to have a gag response if the throat band touches her too high. I took a VERY small sliver from each side of the soft gape and sanded it down.
'Gave it a little spritz with warm water so it would mold to her face, popped it on her head, she roused, preened, tucked her head and slept the night through.
I've got just a touch of sanding to do right at the corner of the soft gape and it will be a perfect fit.
This is the best made hood I've ever had Griff, and ABSOLUTELY the easiest hood to fit that I've EVER gotten ahold of.
Thanks again so much, you have no idea how much I appreciate it mate!
ATB,
Jeff

[Tim Laycock]

Fine piece of work 8-)

Well "doctored" too Jeff :yawinkle:

[GriffMJ]

Hi Jeff

Glad you got it eventually :roll: :lol: Other hoods are on their way.... they have been out as testers thats why I have not sent them yet....

Gape fit for Hybrids is always tough ..... every one should be able to do what you have done with the gape Jeff.... just another skill to a falconer of merit :supz:

[GyrXPeales]

Thanks BB & Griff. But in all fairness Griff it doesn't do a damn bit of good to be able to cut a gape if the hood is not right to begin with. You nailed it a few weeks ago when you pointed out that the patterns that come along with the blocks are just not quite right, especially on the Rollins.
The hoods I get around here are extremely well made, and the price can't be beat, but the patterns are just wrong. Katana is a good example her size 3 is just a hair too big and the 2 1/2 is just a hair too small. A 1% reduction on the size 3 would probably nail it.
Also the hardest part of the gape hole to modify is over the cere. I gotta tell ya, the way you cut the top of the opening was perfect, it hit exactly where I want to see it. That makes any small adjustments a walk in the park. If you get the opening over the cere and the throat right, the rest just falls into place.
I appreciate the compliment, but credit where credit is due. It goes to a hood maker with insight enough to know that a pattern is not quite what it should be, and has the skill to fix it.
Good to know about the other hoods, I'll be taking all to Kearney.
Hats/Hoods off to Griff,:lol:
ATB,
Jeff