Other than your vise, what is the most important tool

[Gene L 0]

This was on the Classic Fly Rod forum.  The majority opinion was glasses which is a good choice.  I chose scissors because they're irreplaceable.  Glasses, sure and there's no substitute for them.  I wear reading glasses of 2.0 or thereabout, but don't use them exclusively for tying flies.  So what do you think.

[gillage 0]

I was going to say my clip on +3 cheaters right off  BUT the cheaters don't help much without good lighting.

So my tying desk lights get the nod, with adequate lighting I can better see what I am doing.

Just my opinion, YMMV

[Heff2 0]

I’m gonna go with bobbin.  

[SalarMan 0]

Hmmm...Hard to specify, but I am a fanatic on lighting and my setup includes 2 lights. 1 from each side of the vise location and the office window at my back. After that my readers, scissors and bobbin. That pretty much tops my list.

[niveker 0]

For me, pretty much what's been said - glasses, lighting, scissors.  I could probably tie without a bobbin holder, but having one is too convenient.  

Certainly not the most important, but I really like having a number of these little clips for holding things

[Bruce Derington 0]

Yep vision and lighting are critical 😎

[SilverCreek 0]

My Norvise Automatic Bobbin.

https://youtu.be/uXkRNFwABko?si=oK9O6vXEe_Kkavpd&t=478

 

[Jaydub 0]

Has to be scissors. Some materials can be broken off, but there aren't many flies I could tie without using scissors at some point. 

[flyflinger 0]

Mercifully, we don't have to actually choose just one!  But I must agree with many of the previous submissions: 3X cheaters, lighting, ergonomic chair, bobbin(s), scissors, bodkins, hackle pliers, etc.  And a casual observation of the surface/contents of my antique roll-top tying desk would suggest that my list is apparently much much much longer than that!   😂      

Regards, 

 

 

[Poopdeck 0]

Since the question is what’s the most important tool and not the only tool you can have,  I’m going with my hat magnifiers. If you can’t see you can’t see. 

[primeflycompany 0]

Scissors. They are not all created equal. Unfortunately our industry (or much of it) is what I consider to be a trickle down one- meaning a lot of our products were designed for something else and that includes scissors. And what I've learned in the 11 years I've been tying and selling flies- is that price isn't necessarily a tell all. I foolishly bought a $60 of Tiemco scissors that are more of a nuissance than they are helpful. On the contrary- the $24 Tiemco Deerhair Scissors (blue handle) have been a god send. 

 

[flytire 0]

lighting

[DFoster 0]

20 years ago I would have said scissors, these days I got to go with the magnifier and lighting.

[Capt Bob LeMay 0]

Have to say it's my scissors... and they get used a lot, not just for fly tying but also for bucktail jig making, rodcrafting, etc.  Mine are simple tailor's snips from Japan that have each blade screw mounted separately so I can remove one side at a time to allow for careful sharpening on Arkansas oil stones.  Here's a pic - and no, I have no idea where I'd be able to buy another pair.   I'm lucky enough to have bought a second pair that have never been used but stand ready to go in service if I lose or damage my current pair - that are nearly 20 years old now.. 

[KnottaFly 0]

As I get older, and hope to get much older than the 72 years I am now, everything mentioned is very important. Here lately if it wasn’t for my comfortable office chair I probably wouldn’t even sit down. My tying desk is my most relaxing place for mind and body.