Other than your vise, what is the most important tool

[Sandan 0]

On 8/19/2024 at 9:21 PM, Gene L said:

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.

I chose scissors too. Glasses are the next in line. Why scissors first? Because for size 12 and larger I can see well enough. Not that I really tie anything that big unless it's salmon flies or streamers.

[Sandan 0]

On 8/20/2024 at 6:43 AM, SalarMan said:

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.

I got you beat George. 4 for me. Two on the left an incandescent (60 Watt I believe, might be more) and an Ott light. A duplicate incandescent on the right and an LED right down the middle.  I'm not sure there's such a thing as too well lit (bourbon excluded).

[RickZieger 0]

I can't decide, as I find to many of them useful. Probably the one in my hand.

Rick

[rscconrad 0]

Bobin

[Mark Knapp 0]

My hands and eyes.

[flytire 0]

i can no longer go with my eyes as a most important tool as they dont see anymore that i saw when i was 20. i cant see clearly now

i have to rely on my 3.0 reading glasses to tie flies otherwise you guys wouldnt like to see what i tied without them

[cphubert 0]

lights first, I've got 3 led spotlights above the bench might as well work on a suntan while tying😎, then 2.5 readers while tying and Opti visor for small work.

[cencalfly 0]

On 8/21/2024 at 4:22 AM, DFoster said:

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

I’m sitting here tying a fly and a thought of this topic went through my noggin.  What would I see as the thing most needed?  It hit me; I just adjusted my light to see what I’m doing.  I wrapped some wire, paused, and realized that I have my magnifying specs (ala @DFoster) on and at the same time a hand-held magnifying glass.  Go figure.  My next step might be an electron microscope.

I blame high-res photos.