Playing Favorites: Weaving Shuttle Ranking

[@oboesmith]

#10 looks like an early version of the Glimakra Oxeburg shuttle. I have two, which I load 6” quills on for wide blankets. The Glimakra Damask shuttles are much thinner versions of your other Glimakras, and only accept 4” quills. Similarly to you, I love my Schacht end feed shuttle. I’ve been eying the Louet Flying Dutchman though, I really love weaving with super quiet quills. Thank for sharing 😊

[@TheTallWeaver]

Ahh! Thank you for the info! I can’t say how much I love the Dutchman - the only reservation I have is if you have a narrow shed like with a small jack loom.

[@naomikatepp]

I personally absolutely adore anything by handywoman shop. But I especially love her double bobbin shuttles and her slim closed bottom shuttles designed for rigid use. I am not exceptionally fond of her square cross-section ones but that’s personal preference. They do fit very well in end of warp situations. I just prefer to use the slim lines that are a little wide, then tall but narrow. Her woodwork, quality and choices of beautiful woods will blow your mind and the finish on those tools just be to be in your hand. I hope you get the chance to explore her work.

[@TheTallWeaver]

I haven't tried any of hers to my knowledge -- I'll have to add them to my list!

[@dorym8045]

I started with Schacht shuttles and the curve in the ends just fits my hands perfectly. I have multiples in several sizes. But after watching your video, I’m tempted to try a Flying Dutchman since, like you, I love Louet weaving products. Thanks for a very informative video.

[@TheTallWeaver]

The Schacht ones are great! The Dutchman is just that little bit better for what I do often, I’ve found. Worth trying out!

[@Scott-N-Atl]

Thank you so much for doing this! The info on the Dutchman was what I was looking for. At the moment, I only have 11" Schacht open bottom shuttles but finding I have to throw harder for wider warps when I max out my David 3, which is a bit fatiguing. I've been wanting something with bit more heft so I don't have to throw as hard (and the closed bottom give too much drag for me), but on the downside, I'm hesitant to invest in another bobbin/pirn/quill design. Too many decisions. LOL. I too dislike the stick shuttles, but use them when I only have single pick or two to throw. I also load them up with scrap yarn for my headers to keep my shuttle bobbins free. Think I may take the plunge and order either a Dutchman or End Feed.

[@TheTallWeaver]

The good news is that you can use the same bobbins on the Dutchman so that investment is minimal at least.

[@Scott-N-Atl]

Oh, thanks for that tidbit!@@TheTallWeaver

[@Scott-N-Atl]

You persuaded me. Ordered my Dutchman today; should be here by the end of the week.@@TheTallWeaver

[@taken-for-pomegranted]

I got my Leclerc EFS first, since I figured I had a Leclerc loom so I might as well. I don't dislike it, but I definitely prefer the Schacht EFS I have. I bought the Schacht when I started weaving overshot for the first time, and I found it definitely feels like it fits my hand better-especially on the throw. That having been said, I haven't used any art yarns or anything other than smooth cotton or linen, so I'm probably going to pick up another when I start that.

[@TheTallWeaver]

It’s such an interesting process to find what you like and why, isn’t it?

[@Woolmouse]

Thank you for your video. I love my bluster bay end feed shuttles!

[@TheTallWeaver]

Oh I love those too! I didn’t buy any before they stopped making them and I’m so angry I missed out!

[@sonjanordahl3158]

Thanks. That Flying Dutchman looks like one I need to try.

[@TheTallWeaver]

Oh I absolutely LOVE mine. I was just weaving on my 16-shaft Jane and my Schacht kept diving while the Dutchman worked just fine.

[@MrThom8804]

You should do a ranking or talk about pirns, quills, bobbins you have. I mainly have Schacht and leclerc bobbins that came with the shuttles i acquired. Quills and pirns always concerned me because I don't think my shuttles work with pirns and quills the lack of sides always weirded me out

[@TheTallWeaver]

I only really have the Schacht bobbins and pirns - haven’t adventured much beyond those. My quills are mostly made of printer paper cut down to size. The trick to winding quills is to build up towards the center while staying away from the edges and hiiiiiiiiiigh tension.

[@WthrLdy]

My Shachts , 11", open bottom, boat shuttles are my favourite, but even in that rack of shuttles, I have my favourite grab, Charolotte. But then I short muscular hands, and only deal with 36 epi fiber. The plastics don't have enough weight for my throw and drag too much. Beyond those, my personally least favourites are the ski shuttles.

[@TheTallWeaver]

I’ve not used ski shuttles much but they are a whole other beast!!

[@weavenut]

Great info thank you, I wonder what storage ideas you have for all your shuttles

[@TheTallWeaver]

I use a wall hanging sewn out of handwoven fabric. I just posted a photo over on Instagram to illustrate. :)

[@laurabobay5607]

Learning on my Louet Jane.... how do you keep the boat shuttles from falling through the threads on the bottom of the shed?

[@TheTallWeaver]

I’ve found it varies by shuttle, warp, and sett. Good tension and a wider, more blunt shuttle helps to not dive through. :)

[@alisonjames8082]

Sorry your Leclerc plastic seems so rough. I have a couple of these, and, while they are not my favourites, I do take them out to demos, since they can be dropped, and are my least expensive shuttles, should I lose one. Mine are both very smooth. I also like the Schacht and Leclerc end feed shuttles. Also the Schacht double shuttles.

[@TheTallWeaver]

I've found it a new home with a young weaver who's just starting out so it'll get some use and love that way instead

[@robertrobert5583]

Interesting! I hate stick shuttles. They were surely invented to put people off weaving.

[@TheTallWeaver]

They’re certainly approachable and affordable if nothing else 😅

[@robertrobert5583]

@@TheTallWeaver true, but I could say the same about chop sticks 🤣