FLYMPH FORUM

I've been using head cement from Hook and Hackle (H&H) for a long time. It looks
good and lasts a long time in the bottle without becoming too thick. I have about
60% of a bottle left. Unfortunately, H&H is no longer selling fly tying material
(just rod-building stuff), so I need a new source.

Who can recommend a head cement they really, really like?

Thanks- Ken

If I was going to use head cement, I think I would go this route

After decades of different head cements my regular choice is Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails in an applicator bottle.

Easy to find and thin to the consistency you want. You can keep a thin and thick bottle if you want, or use the brush in the original bottle for big jobs.

Keep the cement level where you want it to get the right size drop to apply. The inside plastic seal keeps the fumes to a minimum while you tie.

RIMG1606 by William Lovelace, on Flickr

As Dave McNeese says, they spent millions developing it, so why not use it!

Bunch of them out there, new and old. This is my shortlist:



I'm partial to Cellire--nothing quite like it. Some sellers in Europe will ship to the US, and I'd suggest that's a good way to go--6 bottles, a bottle of Unitit thinner, and Veniard's Liquid Wax--and you'll be ready for the next decade.

bb

I've been usig this for many years, ever since I saw Oliver Edwards using it in his videos.

Bob

Shellac is fun stuff to play with. Thin it out with denatured alcohol; makes me feel a certain level of emotional attachment when I change varnish consistencies.

I'm not sure who told me about it, possibly Al Beatty, but for years I used Min-Wax water based polyurethane. Goes on white so you can see where it is, then dries clear with your finish of choice, gloss, semi-gloss or flat. Soaks into the threads well, fairly quick drying and UV resistant. I was a fan until I found UV resins.

I struggled with this problem last winter. There are many good cements .today that are compatible with todays modern synthetic threads. But these cements all seem to darken real silk thread. Even good old marine spar varnish slightly darkens silk. Griff thin was the best as it did not change the colors.
but no longer available. After much experimentation I found that thinned out Sally Hansen did not discolor real silk. Also I use to use cellire to have a shiny head such as is found on Salmon Flies and was starting to run out after 25 years. I found Sally Hansen Mega Shine to work just as well and easier to apply. (less coats).

Tom

I've been using Minwax Polycrylic as a head cement for 20 years.
Life time supply for a couple of dollars at Home Depot.
Forgot to add, this is very similar in color, texture and smell to Loon Outdoors water based head cement.

After years and years of using everything under the sun, I now just use clear nail varnish. No particular brand. Just what’s on special down at the chemist. Never had issues with any yet......