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 cwfly |
hackle plier recommendations |
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Posts: 706 07/24/2008 17:24 |
I threw another pair of pliers across the room last night when the hackle simply slipped out - not for the first time. I've tried the thin black ones, the
"english" style and the type with the spring and the little u shaped metal loop on the end and have never been satisfied. To help me stop the
juvenile act of throwing little pliers, any specific recommendations would be most appreciated.
Thanks, Charlie |
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Mike Connor |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 10 07/24/2008 17:29 |
Most "standard" hackle pliers will not work properly without a small modification. You MUST use a slip of rubber or silicone rubber tubing over the
plier jaws. This will prevent hackles and the like from slipping, and also prevent the pliers cutting material.
See here; http://www.mike1.bplaced.net/Wikka/HacklePliers TL MC Connor: HomePage
Last Edited By: Mike Connor 07/24/2008 17:35.
Edited 2 times.
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gbflytyer |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 101 07/24/2008 21:53 |
open the jaws and put something in to keep them open. the take some 100% silicone caulking and put a bb size dab on each jaw flatten it out a little and let
cure. make sure to scratch up the jaws first. this has worked well for me
gary |
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bluejayee |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 505 07/24/2008 22:22 |
Hi cwfly, Nah, sounds too technical, just throw 'em. Jay Edwards
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bluejayee |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 506 07/24/2008 22:41 |
Hi cwfly, Nah, that was a flippant reply and totally uncalled for. I just didn't want you to feel alone. I think I'll try some of those ideas on my
own hackle pliers. Too, breaking the corners or edges seems to help as well. Just round them off with a file/stone/sandpaper/steelwool or whatever.
Don't throw them but try a variety of types, some work better than others depending on what you're tying. Or use saddle hackle from Whiting Farms. I
recently tied over a dozen PMD's with one hackle and no hackle pliers. Jay Edwards
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Brian Shaffer |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 1089 07/25/2008 02:15 MO/ARK Trout Bum |
Wait - Dare I be so bold as to say - you shoulda pick'd a different feather ? A higher quality stem aint gonna give you these scissor throwing
outbeaks....
But I know better - any stem can break on you. It happens on 4 outta 51 everytime. I had a Thompson hackle plier for like 4 years.. it lasted me thru hundreds and hundreds of soft hackles.. then all off a sudden, my old standby betrayed me.. it became difficult.. total splippage.. all the time -- like I had a glue on my fingers and mistakingly touched the rubber. Next thing I know.. I'm looking a similar.. and can't find one. Pissed off enough.. I paid too much for a Marryat circle looped kooky idea. And it works like a champ! Good idea.. great grip on a tip or a stem. I'ts got real manly big finger holes too - Brian My advice - try a bunch of new of these gagdetry items.. hell.. whaddya got to lose |
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cwfly |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 707 07/25/2008 07:41 |
And my thanks to all of you. Haven't thrown them out so there is still time to try the modifications suggested. To be clear, it's slippage, not
breakage.
Charlie |
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Buck Henry |
Griffin Rotating Hackle Pliers are the bomb! | #7 | ||
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Posts: 172 07/25/2008 07:43 |
I am a big fan of the Griffin Rotating hackle pliers. It has a pivoting / rotating head that really reduces the amount of odd stress angles that are put on
the hackle stem as it is being rotated around the hook shank. I bought one several years ago and have not touched my old English hackle pliers since.
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oldtrout |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 61 07/25/2008 10:47 |
I've been using the EZ Mini Hackle Pliers for the last few years. Here's a link, the EZs are the least expensive on this page: http://www.feather-craft.com/wecs.php?store=feacraft&action=searchadvanced&advancedsearch_words=hackle+pliers&x=15&y=5 |
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bluejayee |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 508 07/25/2008 13:09 |
Hi Guys, Yeah, the EZ Minis are the best. I forgot about them. The ad on the Feathercraft website says forget about the imports with the ring. Do forget
about or you'll end up throwing them. Jay Edwards
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cwfly |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 708 07/25/2008 13:39 |
Thanks fellows, for all the recommendations. I suppose I could also consider (1) ceasing the tying of lies, and/or (2) a bit of restraint in the handling of
the tools.
But those two options don't seem too rational, or reasonable, so I'll keep trying with something new. Charlie |
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cross creek one |
"ceasing the tying of lies" | #11 | ||
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Posts: 316 07/25/2008 16:32 |
Man, that's the best Freudian slip in a long time!
-CC PS. I have the best luck using my fingers to hold the hackle when wrapping, then attaching whatever hackle pliers or tiny surgical clamp I happen to grab to hold it in place until tied off.
Last Edited By: cross creek one 07/25/2008 16:35.
Edited 1 time.
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DrLogik |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 1477 07/25/2008 17:48 |
I bought one of the rotating handle type hackle pliers when they first came out years ago. They were really a novelty back then! I bought them because I just
never got a handle on the English style ones. Never looked back. Rarely do I lose a feather unless I do something stupid. After so long one can get a
feeling on how much pressure you can apply to the feather withour either breaking it off or pulling it out of the pliers.
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robcane |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 347 07/25/2008 21:31 |
Does anyone else here just use their fingers when winding hackle?
I have a few pairs of hackle pliers, including the rotating ones, but lately it just seems easier, or quicker, to grab the feather in my fingers and wind it. Now, I have had feathers slip out of my fingers, which is annoying. But it seems like I have a better 'feel' for the feather when winding it without the pliers. Just my .02, probably worth about as much. rjj We few We happy few We bamboo brothers |
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jasonklett |
#14 | |||
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Posts: 20 07/25/2008 23:23 |
I use my fingers for saddle hackle but game bird feathers are too little for my stumpy fingers to hold onto so I use pliers. Test clips for electronics
testing(radio shack has them for $3.50 a pair) are the same thing as the EZ hackle pliers. I used to use the bulldog clamps and they would slip all the time.
The test clips work much better for me.
As to the flying tool problem, tie a cord between the vise and your hackle pliers and they won't go as far when you do throw them. |
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bluejayee |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 509 07/27/2008 02:49 |
Hi Guys, I prefer wrapping hackle with my fingers as well. I just use hackle pliers when the feather is too short or I suspect it of treachery. Good hackle
wraps better. Jay Edwards
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 tedgolden |
Ez Mini | #16 | ||
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Posts: 2562 07/27/2008 13:13 Moderator |
I carry one of these in my vest and find they are tremendously helpful when knotting very small flies and fine tippet. That is, if I can find them/remember to
use them.
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shakeylee |
#17 | |||
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Posts: 103 07/29/2008 15:15 |
i too use ez minis i bought from feathercraft.i have found when you buy wire clips at electronics store,they are notquite the same.
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