4 replies to this topic

[notenuftoys]

What is the difference between Cactus Chenille and Krystal (or Crystal) Chenille? Are they interchangeable in patterns?

[Kirk Dietrich]

Not much. I think the original brand name was Estaz, you could get it in a craft store. The manufacturer makes it in different sizes, see below. Cactus Chenille is the name used by some other manufacturers for the same fluffy stuff, some manufacturers now even make it in larger sizes. When I Googled Crystal chenille, the pictures I found were of Cactus
chenille stuff but pretty small diameter, where the fibers looked to be shorter than a quarter inch.
The fly tying material manufacturers finally have begun to make the Estaz knockoff much stronger than when they first came out. Used to be when you pulled tight on Cactus Chenille, if would pop whereas Estaz, you could tie an overhand knot with the stuff and tighten it and it would hold.

Crystal Chenille http://www.danvillec...le_crychart.htm

Estaz http://www.glissengloss.com/estaz/

Cactus chenille http://cascadecrest....cchk=1&Itemid=2

Orvis used to sell the actual brand Estaz, it would come on a card with the name brand written on it, now, I think they sell the stuff made for the industry but it is much better today than years ago.
Was a time, when I would just throw away the stuff if it wasn't on an Estaz card and it popped in my hand.

Kirk

[flytire]

Are they interchangeable in patterns?

the short answer is YES

[Kirk Dietrich]

Are they interchangeable in patterns?

the short answer is YES

Funny man!
They are the same but he should make sure the size is correct for his pattern. The picture on Davnille's site is of some pretty small stuff so, if you were tying a larger pattern, it may not be what you want. Now, I'm not sure if the "crystal chenille" comes in different sizes but the "cactus chenille" and "Estaz" do.
Just saying.

Kirk

[FlyFishin'Jam]

There is even another variation that i seem to use quite often 'crystal hackle', the synthetic only comes out of one side.