Scissors.

[daringduffer]

We had this discussion about scissors the other day. Although I never let anobody touch my scissors I just might share a pair with you. These are my most used:

http://www.sewmate.co.za/index.php?main ... ducts_id=5

They are sharp and incredibly handy, open and ready for use due to the spring lever mechanism. I can pick it up and use it with just the thumb and index finger. The curved blades make it easy to use. They are made in Taiwan and I have used them for a couple of years so the quality seems to be fine. Found them in a haberdashery shop...

Product code is #ES-5002CB (12cm/4 7/8 stainless steel;curved).

dd

Edit: And yes - I bought a spare pair...

[DOUGSDEN]

Dear D.D.,
I opened up my "tool box" the other day and re-affirmed the fact that I have too many scissors. But it seems a curious fact that I have to try alot of different types and brands until I settle in on a favorite. And I do have a favorite pair that I seem to just keep going back to no matter what the pattern at hand. This scenario seems to repeat itself in other tools and materials too. That would explain why I have 9 pairs of scissors in my clutches. I think the fine folks in the flytying materials industry count on my constant searching for the "Holy Grail" of tools and materials. Is there any reason to have 5 dubbing needles? Or no less than 8 pairs of hackle pliars? And, I cannot explain why the clerks at my local flyshop always grin when I stroll in the door.
There was a mention once on this forum about collecting certain types of tools just for the fun of it I guess. I seem to like the form and function of hackle pliars. The scissors you have posted above are really cool! And, they look like they would do a really good job. Do you keep your scissors in the palm of your hand while you tie? This type of scissor seems to lend itself to that style of tying. I watch how others tie pretty closly and I'm impressed how the speed of ones tying picks up when these beauties are close under hand. Me? I have tried it both ways and I just can't get the hang of having them in the palm of my hand all the time. But, that's just me! And that's why I am a notoriously slow tyer.
I have not had the good fortune of watching any of my friends on this forum tie flies. I hope to have that opportunity someday. So, which is it folks? Palming or picking up?
This is a really good thread D.D. I like it!
The other D.D. -- Doug Duvall -- Dougsden

[willowhead]

i could never get completely used to keepin' my scissors in my hand full time while tyin'. i'm semi-ambidexterous.....do a lotta things right handed (wrap) and a lotta things left handed (cut with scissors), and some things either way equally well, (hit a baseball, shoot basketballs, lay-ups off the correct foot, etc.....), but prefere (more natural), to cut with scissors left handed. i play ping-pong left handed and tennis right handed...............go figure.
Bout a year or so ago, (and i've bought a few more since), i counted well over 200 (not counting bobbins), individual tools that we have for fly tying.....got bout 50 bobbin(holders).........
We keep lots of tools at three different stations that my wife and i use.....then we have two sets that are just for the road (hers and mine), and then we have a lotta loose tools that others can use when they come over to tye.
The Wasatch Tools people signed us up to be on their Pro Team a couple years ago, at an FFF show in Ellensburg, Washington and then they sent us a cardboard box full of tools.....so i kinna stopped buyin' anymore after that.....cept for now and again. It wasn't that big a box.....but plenty big enough.
You gotta see this one whip finisher i have.........it's at least twice the size of the regular oversized saltwater Whip..........comes in really handy when i'm tyin' on a hook with a 10 inch shank that's 20/0 in size. i gotta clip style hackle pliers that's at least three times the size of the regular ones.....and i don't mean those pieces of junk from radio shack.....i'm talkin' the good ones from Jack Gartside.....got a set of those really nice eyeball tools in graduated sizes, for painting eyes, that Chris Del Plato designed.....here's Chris' site in case you aint hip to it. http://www.streamerlist.com If you into streamers, GO! THERE! PRONTO! We've got 3 or 4 different sets of wing burners made by different companies.....different foam cutters, maybe 20 pair of scissors or more.....same for hackle pliers, hair stackers, tweezers, etc., etc., etc.......i just LOVE tools. Never cared one way or the other before i became a fly tyer. Damn good pair of headphones is all i ever needed "back in the days."

[daringduffer]

Dear D.D.,
Do you keep your scissors in the palm of your hand while you tie? .... Me? I have tried it both ways and I just can't get the hang of having them in the palm of my hand all the time. But, that's just me! And that's why I am a notoriously slow tyer.
I have not had the good fortune of watching any of my friends on this forum tie flies. I hope to have that opportunity someday. So, which is it folks? Palming or picking up?
This is a really good thread D.D. I like it!
The other D.D. -- Doug Duvall -- Dougsden

Dougsden,

I hope you forgive me for missing this earlier. To answer your question - the increase in speed by holding the scissors in my hand while tying would be of no importance since there are so many other reasons behind me being a slow tyer. I don't mind this, as I enjoy the process. If I tried to make a living on tying flies I would die in about a week. I have a couple of scissors to choose from at my tying tray, and make a choice every time. It is one of the things I like - to be in that exact moment of doing something. I've always been picky about tools. I need them to "feel" right to be able to enjoy using them. To me, the process of doing things is a part of the result. For most of my working life I have had to produce precision down to 0,01mm. One side-effect of this is this "thing" about tools. To tell you the truth, I have twelve different scissors. I have a pair of Mundial thread nippers http://www.universalsewing.com/tek9.asp ... eria=130.2 that are a tactile pleasure to use. I did som grinding on them to make the points thinner. They have a spring loaded function and a ball bearing. I use them whenever practical. Do I need them? No I don't. Do they add value to my hobby? Indeed they do.

"A really good thread" needs a good threadnipper.....don't you think?

dd

[William Anderson]

I'll weigh in here, because I think I have valuable input, but mostly because I am putting off writing a couple of difficult chapters and find it a perfect time to switch my focus.

I have settled on the Dr. Slick 4" micro tip scissors. I learned to palm them while tying a long time ago, the huge finger holes let them slip down completely unnoticably, they are short enough to stay out of the way no matter what operation I'm trying to perform, even selecting materials, making coffee or fussing with the spools of Griffiths 14/0 thread that seem to crows nest recently (which is really pissing me off.) And they cut the best of all the others I've tried. Yes, I have about 10 pair too, but I only use these. I used to have a heavier version on the station for cutting wire, but I've found that just using the base of the blades far from the tip is ideal, doesn't take anything away from the razor sharp and delicate tips and keeps me from having to find and switch tools.

dd mentioned that putting them down and picking them up might be about speed and efficiency, but I find that the issue is not picking them up, it's finding them. I am anal about putting everything in it's right place, but I would have to look down and find them. I take my time tying too, and wouldn't last a day professionally, but I tend to contemplate the materials, spacing, coordination, etc and hopefully tools disappear in the process completely. Of course that's easy if you never have to fuss with tools. Finding the right fit for me is always a fun process.

Does anyone use the Anvil line of scissors. I bought a pair and couldn't get them to be comfortable at all, and I think I mucked em up trying. Those things are really sharp and sound like such a great idea.

I love how diverse each person is in their choice of tools and what they are looking for in terms of best fit. I once did a clinical psych study on individual preferences based on personality. Those differences never cease to amaze. (yeah...I'm an architect, but I haven't always been.)

w

[Otter]

Thats interesting William, a good angling friend is from the same profession. He has only been fishing and tying a few years. He was I believe only tying a bit over a year when he was tying consistently to this quality, http://www.danica.com/flytier/moloughlin/moloughlin.htm
Must be something in the water, or in the training and way of thinking of an architect - kinda makes sense that an architect would be a perfectionist in many regards.

[willowhead]

Doesn't Anvil make those Ice Scissors? Lot of tyers realy like those. i think they have those sort of a Maroon colored handles.
Anyway.....i've always found it fascinating to see what different tyers use for different purposes and why they prefere this or that. Some guys use surgical tools for hackle pliers.

[letumgo]

I asked Santa for a pair of the 3-1/2" Dr. Slick Needle Point scissors. I hope I was good enough this year to get them.

[willowhead]

It's in the bag Ray.....those won't break anybodies budget.

i don't get no Christmas present..........in Dec............usually get bout one a month the rest of the year though.

[tie2fish]

I have a pair of Anvil Ice brand scissors with blue coated grips that I use much of the time for general purpose tying. They remain sharp longer than any other of a half dozen or so brands I've tried, and are easy to re-sharpen using a fine stone (on the non-serrated blade only!). They also have open finger holes that can be bent to adjust for differing hand and finger sizes.