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SnagmasterQueedo

good fly tying tools

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Hi Everyone,

 

This is my first post but i've been tying for many years but there are four things I haven't found yet..

1) The best fly box (something that holds trout size flies securely without squishing the hackles and wings) (I prefer ripple foam over compartments because I think the flies look better in the box that way) (oh yeah,it should look nice and be of good quality)

 

2) Good fly tying scissors (small sharp points,large finger holes,VERY sharp blades,good steel that holds an edge)

 

3) A good bobbin (standard size that has the right tension and doesn't break thread)

 

4) The biggy! A good hackle pliers! (There is nothing more frustrating than when your almost finished hackleing a fly and the tip of the hackle breaks off in the pliers jaws and you watch your feather unwind.)

 

Do you guys have any thoughts on any of this equipment? Any preferences for me to consider?

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1. I really like my C&F boxes. My favorite is one that has compartments on one side (for dries) and slots on the other (small nymphs). Had it for years. For trout nymphs I use Otter Boxes and glue in my own foam. Contrary to what C&F claim, their boxes are NOT waterproof if submerged, I have several and none of them are. Otter boxes are totally waterproof. I know you dont like smashed hackle and stuff, and neither do I, in fact I hate it, which is why I use compartments for dries, true you can't show them off as well, but at least they don't get smashed and you can pluck them out and drop them in someone's hand a lot easier, which is way cooler than rows of smashed (and thus poorly floating) flies. The C&F slots hold nymphs great and I haven't had any wear out, but they do bend tails if you tie nymphs on curved hooks, hence the otter boxes, although I have to replace the ripple foam once in a while b/c it wears out.

 

2. Small Dr. Slick scissors are awesome, very sharp and cut nicely all the way to the tips. about $12 and mine last a year or so and I tie a ridiculous number of trout flies. I save my old scissors fro cutting wire and lead.

 

3. I use a Tiemco bobbins with a white ceramic tip. About $15 and they don't fray 8/0 thread at all (the smallest I use). If they fray did thread I wouldn't use them. The tension is also perfect for me.

 

4. Hackle pliers that I use are also Tiemco. They are gold with a rubber "condom" on one jaw. They grip exceptionally well on biots (which I use a lot), and are excellent on hackle (they don't slip at all). I do, however, have occasional problems with them cutting through very small neck hackle (sz 22 or smaller) or when I am gripping on to the very tip of a hackle and getting more barb then stem. When listening to others whine about their plier woes, I realize that the ones I use (1 pair over the last 8 years or so) are sweet.

 

I am a freaking picking when it comes to any kind of gear, so if any of the above didn't make me happy and perform exceptionally well, I'd buy something else. The C&F boxes are the exception. There is no reason that they couldn't make them totally waterproof but I like the slotted foam and compartment combination, it is a great box, and rain is no problem at all, just don't dunk it.

 

Take it or leave it, this is just my review of my gear.

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Tiemco for hackle pliers and for ceramic bobbins, I have used these for years without any complaint. Sometimes when I am tying very heavy threads...............which isnt often I like to use a larger tension ajustable bobbin.

 

Scissors I agree with Sal but I have also used Eye surgeons very fine point scissors in the past and they were awesome. If you have good scissora that are too thick at the points then grind them on an oil stone to your specifications, thats what I do.

 

Fly boxes I have a vast assortment, I do like the C&F boxes for nymphs but love the traditional 32 compartment Wheatly for my dries.

 

 

Mike.................... B)

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I like Rite bobbins. The tension is adjustable; they are easily handled, and thoroughly enjoyable to use!

 

Rite Bobbin: Only a spider has better thread control!

 

Below are the models:

IPB Image

 

I like Dr. Slick's scissors; they are very similar to those I use in surgery, and they are sharp.

 

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:dunno: unless I've been wrong AGAIN for 20some years, can't you just flex the legs on a regular bobbin to get the tension you want? (by "regular bobbin" I mean one ceramic tube, two spring steel legs which the spool goes between.) My wife tells me I'm wrong a lot, so take it for what it's worth.... :P

 

If you NEED an indestructable, totally waterproof fly box, get yourself a mini-pelican case and glue in ripple foam or foam strips on the bottom side. They make them in several sizes similar to "standard" fly boxes. About $15 plus whatever foam you want.

 

+1 for Dr. Slick scissors.

 

Hackle-pliers: I've got an ancient english-style plier which I improved by dipping the jaws in Plasti-dip a few times. They work good for me, but I don't tie small dries much.

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Check these out and see how you like'em :)

 

1.) SA System X fly box.

 

2.) Columbia scissors.

 

3.) Griffin bobbins.

 

4.) C&F hackle pliers.

 

Good Luck

 

Skinny

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I appreciate how I can fine-tune my touch with my Rite bobbin. I am super heavy handed.

My mom, an avid practioner of the sewing arts, gave me a great pair of scissors that have served me well over the years. That being said I would love to get a new pair from Dr. Slick or Anvil.

Good Luck!

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I'm wondering, when you adjust the Rite Bobbin holders, do they click when you make adjustments, or do yours work similar to tightening a smooth cork drag? I bought two Rite bobbin holders when they first came onto the market, and I haven't used them since day one, because each adjustment clicks into position, one click to the left is too loose, and one click to the right is too tight. I use the long tube Matarelli bobbin holders, very light weight, and great for precision tying, especially between legs and wraping thread around legs. Maybe the Rite bobbin holders have a different drag adjustment now, when compared to the ones I bought about 12 years ago. I'll pull them out of my tool drawer and try them again, but I remember them feeling very heavy when compared to Matarelli's. I'd love to tye with a bobbin holder with a smooth adjustable drag. The Rite Mag and Rite Cermag look like the one's I have.

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I use the Scientific Angler boxes that are similar to the C&F. The ony thing I don't like about them is in cold weather, the box can be a little tough to open with the arthritis in my hands.

 

I have a bunch of different scissors I use. I have Dr Slick Razors, Anvils, Fishkars from Wal-Mart and a pair of titanium bladed scissors I got also from Wal-Mart that I use to cut wire and tinsel. I think the titanium blade run about $6.

 

I have 17 different bobbins. I get sick of changing thread all the time. Most of them are the Griffin ceramic. I think I have 3 or 4 ceramic tip bobbins I got from Feather-Craft. I use them for spooled lead, GSP and Kevlar threads.

 

My hackle pliers are the wire testers type. Never had a problem with them.

 

 

Mike

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When I mentioned bobbin holders above, it's the same thing as a bobbin, I guess. My wife likes to sew and she calls thread spools bobbins, and the fly tying tool a bobbin holder...

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Thanks everyone for some great advice!

 

As dumb as it's going to sound your replies made me realize two grave errors i'm making concerning scissors....I keep them forever and think they will remain sharp. The second thing is I use the same ones for wire and feathers. Most of you recommended the Dr. Slick scissors so i'm going to give them a try by buying two pairs,one for wire,one for feathers.And i'm going to either learn how to keep them sharp or spend the money to replace them every so often.

 

As to fly boxes, Sal,you made a great point. Though the foam boxes look great they all bend hackle and if too shallow they will bend wings as well. I'm going to purchase something i've always wanted to buy anyway...a Wheatly fly box, one with the spring type compartments.

 

Concerning the bobbins,several recommended the Tiemco so i'm going to try those. The Rite bobbins seemed interesting but I was concerned because i'm so used to the type with a bar on each side of the spool but the next time i'm in a fly shop that sells them i'll handle one to see how it feels.

 

On hackle pliers, iv'e been using the English type and I think the ones Sal recommended with the rubber foot on one side deserve a try.

All in all it seems my main problem is i'm using the same tools i've had for the last 15 years and things have improved since then.

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I wouldn't use a Dr Slick for cutting wire and tinsel. You could go as cheap as a nail clipper for that and not take a chance on damaging a 20-25 dollar pair of scissors. Go to Wal-Mart and spend the $6 on the titanium pair. Try the wire tester for a hackle pliers. You can get them at Radio Shack.

 

 

Mike

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Agree with maddog--don't use any good scissors for cutting wire (unless they are old and worn out). Any cheap tying or nail scissors (no more than $5) is good enough.

 

One tip: in a pinch if you have nothing but good scissors and need to cut wire, cut it as far back in the jaws/blades as possible. That way you won't dull the tips of the blades, which is what you most often use in tying.

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I wouldn't use a Dr Slick for cutting wire and tinsel.

 

Right!!! You don't use good quality instruments for wire cuting. I use dikes (wire cutters). They're made for that.

 

Ray

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