tonysurface 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2011 Has anyone compared the Matarelli whip finisher to other "matarelli style" whip finishers? Is it worth the extra cost compared to whip finshers made by Dr. Slick, Orvis, etc? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlexC 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2011 I paid $3 or $4 for a matarelli style whip finisher like 6 years ago, rotary version. I can't see this being a case of you get what you pay for. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gustav F. 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2011 Well, I bought an indian one just to try it out. That specific WF was garbage, it started to jam itself to the pipe and the rotation suffered from it. The Dr. slicks though seems to be better off in quality. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
perchjerker 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2011 I have used the Matarelli knock offs on occasion, and have not sen any difference. By all means, get in 'person' from a shop as opposed to ordering one. This way you can spin it to see whether or not the hook portion will spin freely in the tube. As long as it is made from quality materials, and spins freely, I see no reason why they won't work as well as the Matarelli. By all means, get the large one as opposed to the small one as the large one will put a head on the smallest of flies just as well as the small one, and has the added advantage of doing the tails on a large bug, for which the small one just won't do the job. As the now defunct expression says: You get more bang for your bucks! perchjerker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
halcyon 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2011 From my experience of over 30 years using the Matarelli it is worth every penny and is superior to the look-alikes. Firstly, the Matarelli is made from hand polished surgical grade stainless steel. The beads mounting the brass handle are silver soldered in place. And the angle of the hook is very carefully designed for the job. There is a difference in ease of use and ease of removing the tool determined by the angles of the wire. The choice of stainless steel and the hand polishing means the thread is never frayed by the tool allowing the knot to be properly formed without fraying and the consequent loose knot formation. And you don't have to go to the shop and check the Matarelli to see if it will turn or if the wire is smooth, every one is perfect when you get it. Let's see, $15.95/30 years = a true bargain. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flytyer14 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2011 Buy the original, For the extra bucks it will improve durability and it is great to work with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
