The great wax debate

[scotfly]

A reason for debate (not argument) wax or not and why?
My thoughts and why are known, what are yours.

[Tango51]

The only time I wax is to
a) Touch Dub
b) Change the colour of the thread

If my fingers are dry I'll roll the wax in my fingertips, just enough to get them tacky.

As to why, I just don't need it for normal dubbing techniques and I don't like the finished dubbing rope if the thread has been waxed.

[diogg]

I don't - I've not felt the need, although I do have some wax in my kit - somewhere.

But.... Who knows whether I would have caught more fish if I had waxed!

Regards,

[Highlander]

To wax or or not. Moi I generally wax not always but often. Why.
Why not I ask.
It can preserve fine silk's, I use Pearsall's quite a lot, can give subtle changes in colour (Greenwell)
It aids with dubbing especially spiky furs such as Seal fur. It binds well for neat bodies, helps with grip on hackle stalks & material in general.
That will do for now.
Again I ask why not. Give me one good reason why not.
Tight lines

[midlander]

When to wax:

When touch dubbing.

When dressing using traditional materials like Pearsalls silk as the silk has a tendency to rot otherwise.

When dressing on a blind eye hook as the wax help to hold the gut secure.

When dressing a Greenwells I like to use either Beeswax or Cobblers wax depending on the shade I want. Using primrose gossamer as the body silk.

When not to wax:
Pretty much the rest of the time.

That's my thoughts in a nutshell.

Edit: Blimey, some quick replies there!

[Ian_M]

Always, because I always have.

It colours the thread for a Greenwell.

It negates the need to varnish the head (IMHO)

It helps with dubbing ...

and I've got loads of it.

[darkuser80]

for changing the colour of the silk slightly. On dries with silk bodies I like to so that the fly is a little more water proof. For dubbing on dries I like to as it creates slightly finer bodies in my opinion. Otherwise I get away with wet fingers.

[JonT]

Used to religiously when I started tying but soon fell out of the habit when I started majoring on salmon and sea trout flies.

I still do for touch dubbing as my confidence with dries grows but I'm learning to master the dubbing loop so no idea whether the tonne I have will ever be used.

Jon

[Ardbeg]

I find waxing stops the thread from breaking when I whip finish.

Cheers

Ardbeg

[barclay34]

I Only use wax When Touch Dubing