89 replies to this topic

[day5]

I started using the Stonfo a few months back. With out a doubt the most comfortable bobbin Ive ever used. Honestly I cant even hold a griffin any more.

[centerx]

Rite for me but the stonefo looks interesting

[Hairstacker]

I just use Griffins with the ceramic inserts. I use my hand to adjust thread tension, so I set them all just tight enough to keep the spool from unwinding while hanging; as a result, I only have to set them once when purchased and haven't felt a need to use anything else since they're relatively inexpensive, readily available, and I'm satisfied with their performance.

Mike

[Hairstacker]

As an aside, after thinking about it, I too am surprised by the popularity of the Rite bobbin . . . .

I can see preferring it if it's more comfortable in the hand; however, for me, I can't see buying it just because you can adjust and set the thread tension. I find myself having to contantly adjust the tension on the thread as I tie a fly and what can be more quick and sensitive than the palm of your hand? Even a single material like deer hair for a streamer wing may require varying tension as you tie it in to secure it. Given that you should have very little thread out to maintain good thread control, I would think this tension-set feature would be a real hindrance rather than an advantage, if you've set the tension on the bobbin at anything other than loose.

Also, I see they came out with a version that's assists in doing half-hitches and whip finishes. I suppose the half-hitch feature is slightly useful for doing half-hitches at the head of a fly, but then again, I'm typically doing a whip-finish there, not half-hitches. Moreover, in order to execute a whip finish with this tool, you first have to have placed a half-hitch or two, because the tool does not maintain tension on the thread while executing a whip finish. In my mind, that is a significant disadvantage if you're required to execute half-hitches before you can execute a whip finish.

Anyway, those are the thoughts that come to my mind when I think of those bobbins . . . .

-- Mike

[onceahoosier]

I have close to a dozen bobbins of various types but I find Griffin to be the best value of the ones I've tried. Unlike my other, mostly cheaper bobbins, it rarely if ever cuts/breaks thread, and for the $7 or so it costs is a pretty good value. I now use the cheaper bobbins for brassie wire, floss, etc.

Tom

[gadabout]

I'm a Matarelli guy - have three or four of them. I've used them throughout my entire fly tying career, which is about 32 years now.

[Trout.vs.Bass]

I just use the one that came with my kit works fine. My vise died out of my kit (mainly cause of all the flies i tied on it) but my bobbin is still going so chose other on the vote

[boynabubble]

I have a rite bobbin and just a standard ceramic bobbin (don't remember the brand). I thought I would like the rite bobbin, but I don't really use it that much. I like to tie several different patterns each night, and it is just a pain in the butt to have to unscrew the side of the rite bobbin every time I want to change thread. So, I usually end up using my no-name bobbin simply for that reason.

Edit: Forgot to mention that the grip and ceramic insert both fell off of my rite bobbin, so I wasn't impressed with it for that reason also.

[bowfin47]

I'm a Matarelli guy - have three or four of them. I've used them throughout my entire fly tying career, which is about 32 years now.

Ditto... I too am another "old school" Materilli guy. Love em' have a dozen or so that I've used for about 30 years... Definitely got my money's worth!

[agn54]

I have a few Dr Slicks and Griffins ceramic, have no problems with either

[Nor-viser]

My main use bobbins are the norvise ones for most uses, ekich for thread smaller than 10/0 and rite for spinning deer hair, while the first ceramic ones are used for floss and wire.

[stanbiker]

I have the knockoff's that I use for wire, and was a big fan of the rite bobbins and have 2 of them. Now that I have the Nor bobbin, I think I would buy one even with a regular fixed vise

[Randy Taylor]

been using a norvise retractable bobbin since i started tying
i cant seem to get the hang of using normal ones....

[tyrite]

I yous 5 different kinds but the Griffin ones are my favorite!!!
Thank glen ty-rite

[Silver Doctor]

Nor bobbin for small flies the rite for large streamers and deer hair.