whip finisher tool or fingers?

[megaflies]

last night or early morning around 2.30am my whip finsih tool broke

I was shown the whip finish method years ago but could not get the hang of it, hence the tool.

I scratched my head for a few minutes then remembered the finger method of whip finishing.

Now i do not think i will go back to using a tool.

Does anyone else use fingers or tool?

YouTube - How to whip finish a fly without a tool

YouTube - How to whip finish a fly without a tool

[maharg]

Both.
Usually the tool, but if I cant find it fingers will do the trick.

[lhomme]

Fingers for me. As I glue the heads I don't even bother to whip finish. Two half hitches, a lick of glue on a wire before cutting the thread and varnish to finish. No probs whatsoever. For bead heads double your last half hitch.

Regards,
Johan

[billy fish]

I ALWAYS TRY TO USE MY FINGERS TO WHIP FINISH AS IT IS SO MUCH QUICKER. Unfortuneately this is very difficult if you have the slightest bit of roughness on the fingers.
Colin.

[megaflies]

have added a video for the finger method....

[budgie]

Personally I prefer to use a Matarelli style whip finishing tool. As I mainly tie in sizes 12-18 I find that the tool gives me better control on thread placement and helps me maintain a tight thread while finishing the fly.

[shortea]

i find a whip finish tool lets me control the shape of the head better-my skin is often too rough to do it by hand anymore

all the best Nick

[richardw]

I lose stuff on my desk. Fingers are easier to find.

richard

[arkle]

Fingers, & can do it with my eyes closed - willing to demo it at the BFFI if anyone's interested (stand 42 in the exhibitors hall. both days)

[steve collyer]

Fingers because the whipping is more precise.