FLYMPH FORUM

I have magnetized all of my tying scissors using a small device I picked up at a local Radio Shack (electronics store). The device is called a Kronus Magnetizer/Demagnetizer (see photos below). All you need to do is insert the the tool through the appropriate slot and slide it back an forth a few times. The tool will also remove the magnetism from tools if it is a problem.

I keep my tying scissors in my hand at all times when I am tying. When I need to get a hook out of a package, I just insert the point of the scissor into the package and the hooks grab on to the end. I've also used them to help find a dropped hook. Just wave it along the floor and the missing hook usually will jump onto the blade of the scissors.

Mike wrote:It's not really a question of speed as such, although it will make you a lot faster, it's just more convenient.

I've been bothered enough over the past couple years by people who put down and idea without having tried it themselves that I thought I should actually try holding scissors while tying. I have a pair like Mike pictured, although they are straight rather than angled.

Mike's right, it is more convenient - a lot more. It will take some getting used to, though. I still have both eyes but I did manage to poke my thumb hard enough to draw blood. I think I'll get a pair of the angled ones.

I tried keeping the scissors in my hand to speed up my tying on large orders but it got too dangerous.
Every time I tried to brush fibers away from my face or adjust my "cheaters" I'd poke myself in the face or eye area.

Mike,
Your mention of tying by useing your fingers reminded me of a teacher I was fortuneate enough to have had in my 8th year of school.
He was a 'former' Marine, a veteran of the South Pacific (WW2), he had lost his left arm just above the elbow. His hobby was fly fishing and fly tying.
This was in the early 1960's and he used his sissor action hook (Left hand), as his vise. Funny what we remember as we get along in years. I'm aware that you had mentioned tying in the hand before, just didn't 'ring the bell' till now.

Minor trick. To prevent my bobbin holder from un-wanted twisting when letting go of it, I have mounted a cable tie to the stem with the end parallell to the hook shank. When not needed, I twist it 90 degrees pointing away from me...

dd

DD, clarify for me.....when you let go of it, it should UNtwist (the thread).....is that what you really meant.....and if so, aren't you really trying to keep it from UNtwisting, and not stop it, from ("unwanted"), twisting?

willowhead wrote:DD, clarify for me.....when you let go of it, it should UNtwist (the thread).....is that what you really meant.....and if so, aren't you really trying to keep it from UNtwisting, and not stop it, from ("unwanted"), twisting?

"willow, willow" ... when I read your signature I always hear the voice of Joan Armatrading in my head ... you are quite right - it is when I want to prevent the thread from un-twisting that I use this very expensive and purposefully designed device...was twisted in my thinking last night - my brain cell was almost worn out. Thank you for helping me clarifying this.

dd
with willows in head

Here is a little trick I recently learned from Davie McPhail. I was watching some of his fly tying videos on YouTube and notice that he places a piece of cobblers dubbing wax on the side of his index finger, to use at different points during the tying process. I tried it out and found it to be another very useful little technique. By keeping the piece of dubbing wax on your finger, it stays warm and soft. It wipes onto the tying thread very well when it it warm, and it seems a bit tackier (could be my imagination). It also saves you from hunting around on your desk trying to find the wax. I recommend giving it a try.

Any way, here are a couple photos showing the position of the wax on your bobbin-hand. I also include a shot showing how I hold my sissors and bobbin. Normally the tube of my bobbin is much closer to the hook and held horizontal, parallel with the hook shank.

Nifty~