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Tools?
Jul 8, 2003 6:06:58 GMT -5
Post by Gander on Jul 8, 2003 6:06:58 GMT -5
I have just been considering my fly tying tools.
The collection is made up of bits and bobs, mainly cheap pieces that date back towhen I first started.
I have decided to renew the lot, so what I am after is tool recommendations.
I require a general scissors, a deer hair scissors, midge scissors, dubbing rake, dubbing needle, hackle pliers, bobbin holders, dubbing twister (fast spinning), and finishing tool
Is there a complete set you can recommend or should I be going for individual tools from different sources?
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Tools?
Jul 8, 2003 6:27:03 GMT -5
Post by smallmouth on Jul 8, 2003 6:27:03 GMT -5
No recommendation, just don't buy the Stonefly set.........
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Tools?
Jul 8, 2003 7:56:23 GMT -5
Post by Russ on Jul 8, 2003 7:56:23 GMT -5
Hi Gander
Don't lose sight of the fact that it is you who will be using the tool, so what you should buy is what you like, not neccessarily what others recommend.
However, since you asked, here is what I like :
General & midge scissors - Wiss, Anvil Deer hair scissors - Tiemco Dubbing Rake - Waldron ceramic (coarse & fine) Hackle pliers - Tiemco articulated Dubbing needle - home made Bobbin holder - Griffin ceramic Dubbing twister - turbo ball race thingy Finishing tool - half-hitch tool on other end of Tiemco hackle pliers
The deer hair scissors are a luxury (for me) as my others work just fine. All that said, tools are at their very best when the user has got used to them.
HTH
Russ
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Tools?
Jul 8, 2003 10:05:27 GMT -5
Post by ACW on Jul 8, 2003 10:05:27 GMT -5
Re scissors Steve Parton does some great scissors under afiver which suit me fine for 90% of my tying . Thompson double rubbers hackle pliers are on my wish list and I will get some more of their ceramic bobbin holders ,but then I'm a thomson Fan
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Tools?
Jul 9, 2003 3:59:46 GMT -5
Post by Chalkstream Angler on Jul 9, 2003 3:59:46 GMT -5
Fly tying tools are very subjective I think. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
However, Peter Smith at Niche has a good range if you are intent on buying new.
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Tools?
Jul 9, 2003 5:42:10 GMT -5
Post by Jinxter on Jul 9, 2003 5:42:10 GMT -5
Got the Anvil mini scisors. They're superb for fine work. Wouldn't want to be without them now.
Can anyone recommend a ceramic bobin holder? I find I keep going back to my old steel tube, as the body is much heavier. What I'm looking for is a normal (fine) ceramic bobin with a bit of weight to it.
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Tools?
Jul 10, 2003 1:45:33 GMT -5
Post by AlanB on Jul 10, 2003 1:45:33 GMT -5
Hi Gander, Good to meet you the other day.
There is a set of tools made to go with the Magic Tool from Marc Petitjean. They come in sets but don't include a dubbing whirl or bobbin holder and they aren’t cheep.
They are so new my demonstration set hasn't arrived yet! I have handled a set and they are of the finest quality being Swish made.
The recommended bobbin holder is one of the Tiemco ones (Whichever kind you feel suits you best. (If you are using the magic tool I wouldn't go for the cranked ones as these will not spin so well.) As for the dubbing scraper the best without a doubt is the Waldren set at over £50. However I use a tiny one from Gordon Griffiths which cost just £3 or £4.
Hope this is some help.
Regards
Alan.
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Tools?
Jul 10, 2003 10:48:18 GMT -5
Post by halcyon on Jul 10, 2003 10:48:18 GMT -5
As far as scissors go, you may wish to check out the Fishing Line brand of tungsten carbide scissors. The std four inch model will do all you cutting without the need for any other scissors at all. They are about $25USD. No other brand I have tried (tried them all available in the US) are anywhere near as good until you get to the Hunter's top of line at $179USD. These scissors have extremely fine points, will cut everything including wire and will never dull or nick. Can't drop them though:>( I have been punishing my first pair for the last 4 years to see if I could ruin them, no way, still like new. They are available mail order from Hunter's Angling Supplies at www.huntersangling.com/fdelta.htm under BH Tungsten Carbide scissors. Regards, legal stuff: I am not connected in any way with Hunter's or Fishing Line other than satisfied customer of both.
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Tools?
Jul 10, 2003 12:54:16 GMT -5
Post by Eddie on Jul 10, 2003 12:54:16 GMT -5
No recommendation, just don't buy the Stonefly set......... I second that. Not worth the expensive price at all!
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Tools?
Jul 10, 2003 16:44:22 GMT -5
Post by highlander on Jul 10, 2003 16:44:22 GMT -5
As the others have said tools are subjective & best if you physically check them out yourself.having said that you asked the question.I will give you the ones that have served me well over the years. General & midge scissors - Dr.Slick or Veniard are good,(straight & curved) Deer hair scissors - A good pair of T.C.T. but with seratted blades I find to be good. Curved are handy for shaping. USA tyers use a razor blade to shape Muddler heads. Dubbing Rake -Have a cheap plastic set which work ok,for all I use them.Hans tells me the LAW ones are the bees knees,but for £50 a set I will pass on them. Hackle pliers - English type,(small & medium)as long as they have good jaws(Veniard again) Dubbing needle - home made,darning needle glued into a bit of dowling is as good as any else. Bobbin holder - various ceramic for floss,std metal tube for wires etc.(Gordon Griffiths/Veniard),as good as any) Dubbing twister - Never use them Finishing tool - Have a Materelli,but use my fingers most of the time ,unless I need "fine placement at head" To sum up,The British company Veniard are a good range to consider for most tools.One thing I will agree with a previous posters comments is that "Stay clear of Stonefly" kits.I got one when the first came out & they are basically rubbish.Other's in the same vein (stay clear off) are "Sunrise" Made in India......Bob Church Co I believe are distributors. Now having said all this it really depends on your budget,but it is one area I would "spend" a liitle more to get the right tool. But £50 for a set of rakes from LAW....hmmmmm Tight Lines PS What is a "Magic Tool" Alan......This one of your "sleight of hand tricks" Dont tell me Marc P. might have guessed
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Tools?
Jul 11, 2003 2:02:18 GMT -5
Post by AlanB on Jul 11, 2003 2:02:18 GMT -5
Highlander, Watch this space! The magic tool is one of those gadgets that when you see it you'll slap your head and say "why didn't I think of that". And who else can really be asked to promote them (Yes I am declaring an intrest here). Now, pick a card!
Cheers
Alan.
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Tools?
Jul 11, 2003 4:20:28 GMT -5
Post by Gander on Jul 11, 2003 4:20:28 GMT -5
No recommendation, just don't buy the Stonefly set......... Too late! I got a free set when I bought their daft excuse for a vice a few years ago. The "vice" and tools sit in a box in my attic. They are really nasty.
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Tools?
Jul 11, 2003 4:33:51 GMT -5
Post by Gander on Jul 11, 2003 4:33:51 GMT -5
Hi Gander, Good to meet you the other day. There is a set of tools made to go with the Magic Tool from Marc Petitjean. They come in sets but don't include a dubbing whirl or bobbin holder and they aren’t cheep. They are so new my demonstration set hasn't arrived yet! I have handled a set and they are of the finest quality being Swish made. The recommended bobbin holder is one of the Tiemco ones (Whichever kind you feel suits you best. (If you are using the magic tool I wouldn't go for the cranked ones as these will not spin so well.) As for the dubbing scraper the best without a doubt is the Waldren set at over £50. However I use a tiny one from Gordon Griffiths which cost just £3 or £4. Hope this is some help. Regards Alan. Hello Alan, Thanks for advice, and thanks for the Magic Tool demo at Scone. I have been looking at the Marc P C&F tools. I think they are part of the "Marc Petitejean tying system", but can be bought seperately. Are these related or similar to the new Swiss ones you are talking about?
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Tools?
Jul 12, 2003 4:24:38 GMT -5
Post by breacanodhar on Jul 12, 2003 4:24:38 GMT -5
I have tools that I have used for 30 years still going strong, I have 2 prs of scissors one pr heavy and one fine pr. couple of prs of hackle pliers, 2 ceramic bobbin holders, one American style home made whipfinisher, recently bought a pr of iris scissors, not that good, the fewer tools you have the less space you need for them. I was impressed by a set of battery powered nasal hair clippers for deer hair flies but I resisted the temptation as I dont tie that many My scissors are good quality embroidery scissors you can get some really nice fine ones but I only use one pair at a time, Breacanodhar
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Tools?
Jul 12, 2003 6:11:58 GMT -5
Post by AlanB on Jul 12, 2003 6:11:58 GMT -5
Hi Gander, I can't remember if you took a catalogue of Marc’s with you but the tools are in there. They haven't made it onto the web site yet ( www.petitjean.com/ ) and my demo set still hasn't arrived! I hope to have them in time for the Royal Lancs Show and the CLA Game Fair. Though Lowther may be the closest I will get to you for the foreseeable future. If you are looking for good standard scissors I can get the ones I use which are similar to Veniard ones but without the serrations (and much less expensive). Though these are not part of the kind of set I think you are looking for. Regards Alan (Now officially middle aged )
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