Whip finishing tool, or not (Knot)?

[Kirk V 0]

Do you use a whip finishing too or do you tie your own knot?

 

Yesterday while "working" I decided to surf youtube and found a gentleman known as David Cammiss. He showed me how to tie a double half hitch knot. I have not used any of my flies on the water yet due to ice, but I am curious to the strength of the two. Which way is better to go is one stronger than the other? I also use head cement on all my flies so it is strengthened that way.

When I got home, I decided to try this know and it was a whole lot easier for me to tie, should I stick with that or try to master the whip finisher?

[oldtrout58 0]

I enjoy using a whip finishing tool, I think it's a marvelous device, but as often as not I employ a two-finger whip finish. With a little practice you can master the whip finish quite easily - either with a tool or by hand. I would recommend adding this skill to your arsenal. That being said, a couple of half hitches and head cement will do the job just fine.

[Jaydub 0]

A whip finish, whether by hand or with a tool, is more secure. It's not that hard and a good skill to have. But, I know at least a couple of well known and repsected fly tyers that finished their flies with two half hitches. If you use the half hitches and head cement, you probably won't have many problems.

[rockworm 0]

I have always wanted to whip-finish my flies by hand, but because my fingers are so rough, especially in the winter, they tend to fray and catch the thread upon contact. Therefore, I must use a whip-finishing tool, or a half-hitch tool. Once you master its use, the whip finisher is fast, easy, and permits you to lay down each wrap of thread exactly where you want it. On the other hand, the half-hitch tool allows you to slip a knot over the hook's eye when it is crowded with parachute hackle, antennae, and other impediments to the whip finisher.

[invasionqt 0]

I have been tying for a very short time and use the whip tool exclusively. I think from a beginners standpoint I tie a much tighter and smaller finish knot. I just think I have better control of how the thread lays over itself.

[lykos33 0]

Kirk, learn to do it with the tool and by hand. I had trouble getting the hand finish at first, then one day it was like a light switch got flipped...it just felt "natural". I still use my tool on smaller flies, but the larger ones...it seems faster to just hand whip it...

[Kirk V 0]

Thanks for the comments, but I used the finish tool and never really got the hang of it and last night after about 3 flies I could tie the half hitch faster than with the whip tool. I was just curious if it was just as good of a knot.

[bluegill576 0]

I'm too lazy to use a tool and when I did use one I was always loosing it on my desk. I'm actually too lazy to even use a know at all. On my flies size 8 and larger I use some zapagap and have never had one come undone. I got the idea from anthony hipps when he gave a demo of one of his poppers at my local club. On size 8 and smaller I make a knot with my hands. Don't know what it is or where I picked it up from but it works.

[kentuckytroutbum 0]

I have always wanted to whip-finish my flies by hand, but because my fingers are so rough, especially in the winter, they tend to fray and catch the thread upon contact. Therefore, I must use a whip-finishing tool, or a half-hitch tool. Once you master its use, the whip finisher is fast, easy, and permits you to lay down each wrap of thread exactly where you want it. On the other hand, the half-hitch tool allows you to slip a knot over the hook's eye when it is crowded with parachute hackle, antennae, and other impediments to the whip finisher.

 

rockworm-

 

I'm with you on this one. I rarely use the WF tool, I can do half hitch knots pretty fast, and I feel it gives me greater control over placement

of the knot when I guide it onto the hook using my fingernails. And as you said, it can get crowded up at the hook eye.

[flytire 0]

2 to 4 half hitches and my heads do not come apart

[perchjerker 0]

if done properly, one should be just as good as the other. Therefoe, do whichever is best for you!

[blakejd 0]

if done properly, one should be just as good as the other. Therefoe, do whichever is best for you!

I agree both are adequate. 90% of my flies are #18 and smaller and when you get into much smaller flies and more sensitive thread a whip finish tool gives the precision you cant get with your fingers. With the bigger stuff i can see the benefit of a hand whip but I don't do it enough to become proficient.

[Toirtis 0]

Whip finisher and hand whip....I learned using my hand, and use the two about 50:50.

[sandflyx 0]

half hitches have been known to slip then come apart, if you insist on using them do 3 one direction and 2 opposite (overhand vs underhand)(forward/reverse) it will lock the hitches then..

[ditz2 0]

In my many years of tying and fishing I have had maybe 2 flys come apart because of using half hitches. I have a whiping tool and can do it by hand but I usually just put 2 to 4 half hitches and a drop of head cement. Same with my salt flies.