I've noticed that the graphite tail fin and stab sets have most of the surface area removed, but the stock plastic sets don't have any of the surface area cut out.
Does having the holes cut in the graphite fin and stab effect the handling of the helicopter or is it just for appearance?

I could be way off on this, but if I'm not mistaken these things don't actually effect the flight characteristics until you get into moderately fast forward flight. They're used to stabilize the flight slightly and I'd imagine (this is where I'm not really sure) that having the extra drag created by slotting the plastic would have a sort of dart effect. Causing a little bit of drag on the tail which helps keep it traveling in the forward direction.

less resistance to the tail pirouette (vert stab) and elevator control - flips etc, (horiz stab). Used primarily for 3D flying where you want to have quick response and little wind resistance (braking effect) from the stabilizers, but in forward flight they still offer some stability.

Vortexgen is correct here. Carbon stabilisers are used because they are more rigid, generating less vibration in 3D manuvers. They are also slotted to minimise drag and weather-wane effect.

Thanks to everyone for the replies

so what is the point in haveing the horz. fin? I thinking of taking mine off. any thaought as of why i should not?

Looks dude! The model will look somewhat silly witout...

The horizontal fin is used to help keep the tail down during fast forward flight. At least on real helis! How big this effect is on models, I do not know, but I think it is small due to the lack of airfoil on them.

In backwards flight you can't get out of a dive too easily with it on. The only purpose of the verticle one is to keep the tail away from the ground.

Not true. The vertical stab is to help keep the nose pointed forward in FF. This is
if you aren't overriding this tendency with HH. If you're using rate mode or no
gyro at all, the vertical stab causes the effect known as "weather vaning".

Actually he is right, they did not design it do do anything other then that, with gyros today the heli will fly the same with or without a fin in fast forward flight. The fins on a model do nothing in FF, although theoretically they should but they dont, take your fins all off fly, then out them back on, you wont notice a difference except the balance will be off.

Colin