Charlie Craven Talks Fly Tying Scissors

[@michaelammerman2732]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise regarding the type of scissors you use, and what to use them for as you tie.

[@tomkeaveny2827]

YES! I've been hoping you'd do videos on equipment. It'd be great to see how to properly use specific items, and your recommendations on brands and what characteristics to look for. More of these!

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Will do!

[@mikekuczynski1552]

Nice , I like the Dr. Slicks scissors also and like you have tried just about every scissor that’s been made . I like the big finger loops it makes them easy to hold while your tying . The scissors are super sharp and can last a long time depending on what materials your cutting. Thanks for sharing the world of scissors.

[@bobhammond8067]

Chock full of information. Thanks so much!!!!

[@Kab_On_The_Fly]

I absolutely agree with you here Charlie, although I’ve fully embraced Renomed scissors as the absolute best scissors I’ve ever used. I now own three pairs of them, a long bladed pair, a curved and a straight.

[@CharliesFlyBox]

The scissors I used are NOT the FS-1's upon further review. The scissors shown here are FS-3's....that's the longer pair.

[@erdymt]

Thanks Charlie. I’ve owned curved Dr Slick scissors and never use them. It would be great if you could cover various applications for these scissors or maybe you have. Thanks again

[@beyoutube76]

Always great to see more than your hands! I really like my Dr Slicks. Haven't mastered holding them, so I have dropped them on my tile floor and into my leg (why is it the reaction to snap your legs closed to catch something?) I do like the ease of taking them apart and I do use a stone to keep them sharp. No issues if done right.

[@cachi-7878]

My first pair of scissors were the Thompson ones. I still have them. The small ones are nice but they keep coming loose even when I tighten the screw. I have to keep retightening them.

[@jimholland1592]

Thanks Charlie 👍

[@ericlecko]

Thanks for the information.

[@FlyFish402]

Are there any that you can take apart and sharpen? I have sharping stones that I use for all my knives.

[@robertbaker9619]

Do they make scissors for cutting elk and deer hair so the doesn't slide away

[@mediumdun18]

thanks Charlie.....see the 4 inch dr slick are sold out on ur site .....was thinking perfect gift for my son in law new to tying. Any chance they will be back before xmas ?. Appreciate the videos!

[@CharliesFlyBox]

They’ll be back in this week!

[@mediumdun18]

hot damn 🙂@@CharliesFlyBox

[@harryjoesather6539]

Love my DR SLICKS scissors.

[@steveberliner6573]

I'm a big fan, thank you for all you do. Wondering what your thoughts are re Tiemco 's deer hair scissors?

[@CharliesFlyBox]

The TMC deer hair scissors are fantastic, but no longer available unfortunately

[@FlyTyer1948]

You didn’t mention serrated compared to non-serrated scissors. Do you have a preference? I’m particularly thinking in reference to flies like muddlers or packed hair poppers, sliders, etc.

[@CharliesFlyBox]

All of the above-mentioned scissors are serrated. I mush prefer serrated as materials don't get pushed out of the blades as you make the cut. But honestly, when doing the majority of the actual trimming on a hair bug, I use a double edged razor blade!

[@axelschug3451]

Is it ok to cut foam with Dr Slicks? I heard somewhere that foam can dull them. I don’t see why though.

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Foam is abrasive and I’d probably not cut a ton of foam with my hood scissors (I’d use a roller cutter or razor blade) but a bit here and there is sort of what fly tying scissors are for.

[@phillmartin6196]

Thanks your great in fact awesome , from south africa .

[@billcalhoon8353]

Really enjoy all of your fly tying videos. Beautiful flies! Do you use special scissors for cutting hair?

[@CharliesFlyBox]

I typically use the Dr. Slicks for that kind of thing...if I am tying a big haor bug I'll use the five inch scissors but mainly the 4 inch.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

what are iris scissors?

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Shorter, thicker bladed scissors, generally less expensive but good enough to get out of the gate when you start.

[@champtree]

Charlie, where did you get that comfortable looking tying chair?

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Amazon.

[@ryantherock7664]

What is the gold knob for on the razor scissors?

[@CharliesFlyBox]

That is a tension adjustment knob...you can tighten or *loosen* the blades to accommodate thicker, heavier materials.

[@richardsmith5812]

do you use curved scissors for shaping ep flies?

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Yes, I like these : charliesflybox.com/products/loon-ergo-prime-scissor-5-inch?_pos=2&_psq=loon+scissors&_ss=e&_v=1.0

[@michaelleibowitz7100]

Do or did you ever grind the sides of the blades to make the tip thinner then it is? Gently bring so as not to burn the temper out of the blades?

[@CharliesFlyBox]

I have done that myself for years but several years ago I asked Steve at Dr.Slick if he could make the tips thinner for us and he has ever since. They’re pretty damn good right out of the box these days which is nice!

[@michaelleibowitz7100]

Thanks. I hold my scissors in my left hand and I think if I ground em a little I could get a closer cut. I think I'll try it. BTW, Dr. Slick's razor scissors are the bomb IMHO

[@mikebaker6714]

Your skills with your hands make tying look easy.. You are a true artist! Thanks for your opinion on this basic tool..

[@jimsymons4269]

I do my tips on a stone. 400/600 grit will move material without creating heat.

[@michaelleibowitz7100]

Jim, that's a great idea. Thank you

[@brainmed]

What do you think about Kopter scissors?

[@CharliesFlyBox]

I find the blades to be fairly thick and the finger holes don't fit my fat thumb very well, so not a huge fan.

[@louied6065]

Hi Charlie. Do you have a preferred scissor for gsp?

[@khuhner]

Don’t use scissors for gap! GSP will dull out scissors on no time. Get a pack of single sided razor blades.

[@CharliesFlyBox]

GSP won't really hurt your scissors and the trick to cutting it is to pull the thread tag tight and push the slightly open blades through it. Not so much a snip as a slice.

[@johndondero2676]

Where were you 10 years ago? I feel like I’ve been roaming in the scissor desert in search of the perfect pair. Too much $$$ under the bridge I’m almost there. You helped me move several years ahead of schedule, but oh if I had your advice earlier. Think of the expensive capes I could have now. 😂?

[@phillmartin6196]

Make that 60 plus years ago

[@theinvasivespecies1119]

What about fiskars scissors?

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Hate 'em. Short, chunky tips and just don't feel at home in my hand. Some guys really like them though, I'm just not that kind of guy.

[@mommaangler]

I’m a full blown Renomed snob. There. I said it. Whew. Glad that you are a fan. I feel totally validated! 😅 I have 7 different pairs and depending on what I’m tying I’ll reach for different ones. While I love Dr. slicks, I have a hard time tying with them in my dainty, girl hand. They’re built for man hands, and rightfully so. Great video! Love the content. Keep it up, y’all.

[@jasonerickson1033]

Sharpen them with Japanese water stones

[@steveyates1136]

Chuck Norris can run with scissors

[@SST7777]

Sharpen your scissors it only takes a few minutes. A good pair can be sharpen and last a life time.

[@mungobaggins8197]

Dr slick used to offer sharpening services, don’t know if they still do. I never did it myself because the shipping cost was prohibitive.

[@CharliesFlyBox]

I have yet to see a sharpened pair of scissors that is as sharp as a new pair.

[@davidemigliaccio5646]

🎉 hi Charlie, I agree that the Dr. Slick razor scissors are the best, sharp, and with very fine points. In addition to being a serious tier, I am also a professional sharpener, and have the proper equipment and knowledge (factory training) to get fly tying scissors very sharp. One thing I have found is that many shears that seem dull are actually out of adjustment; this is one of the things I like about the Dr. Slick shears, their tension is adjustable. But in the end, I agree with you, if you cannot get your shears to a competent, professional sharpener, best to replace them.

[@CharliesFlyBox]

@@davidemigliaccio5646 you are my new best friend!!

[@lukecoppersammy]

Don't throw away scissors when they get dull. Learn how to sharpen, chances are you can get it better than the factory edge. We don't throw knives away when they dull, we re sharpen them. It's not that hard.