slipping PT fibres

[bill1]

Hi everybody

I've just taken up tying again after 40 years and still using my old hackle pliers.

I still have the same problem that I used to. Pheasant tail and peacock herl keep slipping out of my pliers.
Is this a function of my pliers, my clumsiness or just in the nature of the beast?

Regards
Bill

[A. Fluker]

I am not being funny but do you have to use hackle pliers? What is wrong with your stumpies (fingers). After a fashion one can judge tension far better with the old porky ends than with any clamp.
If you need to use hackle pliers then the grip was always enhanced with a piece of rubber tubing along one of the grips.

[Scratch]

I can't think why you'd want to use hackle pliers for winding Peacock herl I don't use pliers for winding my PT either (I use my fingers) but I can see why, with PT fibres being relatively short, that one would want to wind with pliers. The problem of slippage with PT is due to trying to grip several relatively bulky fibres at once - there's always one or two fibres that slip out... then the grip loosens on the 'bunch'... then a few more slip out. Not an awful ot you can do. 'Soft' pliers can be bad enough, but I found that the problem is exacerbated even more by pliers with hard, bare metal surfaces at the business end.

Try these for size.

[bill1]

Thanks for the replies. Trouble is that my fingers and thumbs seem even worse at gripping herl and feathers. Either it slips out or I break the fibre.
I'll try the rubber. Good idea.

[BRUCE1]

the link that Rob(scratch) has given you is IMO the best hackle pliers there is , i have two pairs of them

[Scratch]

Originally Posted by bill1

Trouble is that my fingers and thumbs seem even worse at gripping herl and feathers. Either it slips out or I break the fibre.

Maybe tying isn't for you then Bill

[bill1]

Has to be. Too tight fisted to buy the buggers.

[syphogenic]

Originally Posted by bill1

Thanks for the replies. Trouble is that my fingers and thumbs seem even worse at gripping herl and feathers. Either it slips out or I break the fibre.
I'll try the rubber. Good idea.

l reckon some tyers make some things harder for themselves than it actually is. Wind your pheasant tail fibres with your right hand (assuming your right handed) after half a turn or so, trap the fibres against the hook with your left index finger behind the hook, continue wrapping with your right hand, then trap the fibres against the hook with your left thumb. This way you are using your prominent hand to control tension. I must add there is no need to add tension until you have finished wrapping, then pull gently tight. I hope this helps and relax yourself with the elbow resting on your bench edge when your trapping the fibres against the hook. Make it as easy as you can for youreself!

[A. Fluker]

That the way to do it!

[bill1]

Now that's a good idea. Why didn't I think of that? (Probably because I'm too dim)
Thanks