What Tools Do I Need to Start Fly Tying? | Module 2, Section 2

[@venturesflyco]

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[@arizonavol]

I am also new to fly tying in AZ. I am just starting module 3. I didn't see your kit until I had paused the video after each "need" and purchased each of those individually. I might have gotten kit if I'd known at the start of module 2. Although I am excited to get Dr. Slick Black Widow Razor Scissors that are bent so they don't lie flat on the working surface. Thank you ahead of time for all the modules I plan to go through!

[@timboCaptAwesome]

i am ridiculously new to fly tying here in AZ. this explains sooooo many things in a simple and condensed video without the fluff most video folks throw in. Great paced and definitely saving for later

[@routavarvas]

I use thin fishing line to pull thread thru bopping holder since don't have bopping threader. Also for dubbing I have old makeup brush that had only tip left, so I glued small piece of icecream stick on it. for Lighting, its also good to have some white/light colored paper as background, when tying with dark (black,brown...) material, you see them little easier, it helps if no spot/lcose to vice light available.

[@nevillewalker6299]

I started back in 1955 with just bits and pieces from my mothers sewing kit I now have two draws full and two full rotation vices one of which I built myself.

[@venturesflyco]

Very cool! Appreciate you sharing your experiences with us. 😎👍🏽

[@kerrypitt9789]

Those darned embroidery scissors meant for women's slim figures! Ouch

[@kerrypitt9789]

You bring up a very good point! Ive been tying since August 01/57. The tools back then, were really at times, archaic. I tied for around nine years before i discovered bobbins! 😂 Back in the day we learned to tie a whip Finish with no tools But!!! I got a job in the in the oil industry. My hands were so bad i could use the callouses to cut the line, i bought a whip finisher. After i moved to the office, my hands became smoother and now i can do both! LOL. I enjoyed this, a good take!

[@venturesflyco]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@manifestgtr]

A bobbin threader is a luxury, for sure…you don’t *need* it to tie flies. But that one is as close as it gets to a “need” for me when it comes to extra tools. When I think about my tying now vs back in the 90s when I was a kid and didn’t have one (didn’t even know they existed, to be honest), it’s night and day.

[@venturesflyco]

For sure!! Thanks for sharing!

[@dougfett9842]

This is a good video. I wondered which list the whip finisher would land on since whip finishing can readily be performed by hand, sans tool. Hand whip finishing is how I have finished my flies. I just recently bought a whip finishing tool to try it and see how I like it. The jury is still out ; I haven't used it enough for it to be completely natural, yet. Placing the whip finisher in the need list is probably appropriate, as I sense that using the tool is the dominant method in practice by a large margin.

[@venturesflyco]

That is true!! Technically not a need but in our experience whip finishing with a tool vs hand is easier (once you get it down) and more precise (the hook of the whip finisher is smaller than your finger, closing the loop right where you want it). But hats off to anyone who can do it by hand (including yourself). You’re better than us! Haha.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

in my experience most fly tying scissors are pretty crap. They dull fast, are uncomfortable to use, and just dont have a very fine tip. The only real exceptions i've found so far are ....none. I have 12 pairs of scissors. Most sub 20 dollar bobbin holders are pretty bad as well and will cut thread, they can be fixed with polishing compound rubbed all over some 30weight sewing thread. Bobbin threaders also damage bobbins and will make them cut thread. I have 3, and wont ever use them anymore. For me the tools that I cannot do without are bobbin holder, scissors, hair stacker, material clip, whip finisher, bodkin, velcro on a stick, regular, everyday tweezers, and dubbing spinners, UV Glue, and head cement. (yeah count the last two as tools) love your content. I've been tying since August and though I have most everything i need, i'm thinking about grabbing your kit and trying it out =)

[@venturesflyco]

Agreed! I think you’d be quite impressed with the kit (especially the scissors!). We put a ton of effort into making them all awesome. 😎🤙🏽

[@dougfett9842]

I found your comments interesting and somewhat surprising. This, because I have been using using the same fly tying scissors for many years and don't have any complaints about them. They didn't cost a lot and I don't even know what brand they are. I guess that I may have gotten lucky. As for bobbin holders, I suffered some of the aggravation of breaking thread but, once I got one with ceramic inserts, as recommended in the video, that problem was gone. I use the simple design shown in the video, which I like because I can control the thread tension by how tightly I hold the bobbin holder.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

@dougfett9842 Thank you for your response. I have 4 or 5 pairs of Dr. Slick scissors. One is micro topped, but the blade length is such that the metal at the tip, while sorta sharp, will flex and not cut the material. I haven't used them in months, I have a pair of arrow scissors which are a bit too small, but work well and have a section specifically for cutting wire, so I use them for that, I have a pair of the tungsten carbide 4 inch scissors with a blade with a broken tip from falling off of my tying desk...onto carpet! They seemed to keep their edge very well. And a pair of razor scissors which I use the most, but I've had to straighten and sharpen the tops from falling off of my desk onto the same (not thin!) Carpet. The whole brand suffers from finger holes made for Goliath himself!! That said I've ordered another pair of the tungsten carbide scissors. Other than that, I have 35 dollar renomeds, which dulled terribly trying to cut some body floss, I've tried to sharpen them, and while a bit better, still not as sharp as I'd like. I have 3 fiskars scissors, which are just fine for tying larger flies and streamers and a couple of pairs of no-name surgical scissors a friend got for me, they are pretty good still and have smaller finger holes, the tips have dulled a bit, and are not as fine as the razor scissors, but are ok.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

@dougfett9842 I am an avid outdoorsman and survivalist and have dozens of bushcraft and camping knives which are razor sharp, some hold their edge longer than others, but the ones made from 410 stainless never hold an edge, and that is the most commonly used steel in scissors. D2 tool steel or correctly tempered 440c stainless is much superior.

[@dougfett9842]

@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy, are there fly tying scissors made of D2 steel that you are aware of? If so, I would expect them to hold an edge well.

[@JoshOsteen]

This helped me a lot as a noobie! Thx so much #flytying

[@venturesflyco]

Of course! Appreciate the feedback.

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

I also think is better to buy a good quality tool than a cheaper one.

[@venturesflyco]

😎🤙🏽

[@joehawk9839]

If your going to buy a light may u suggest a led magnifying light.It's definitely a game changer for myself.Anyhow to each there own.

[@venturesflyco]

Good call! We’ve got a few team members that use the same thing. 👍🏽