Advice on purchasing first cape

[jcwarn]

Previously I've just bought packaged bags of cock hackles but become increasingly frustrated with having such a small % of the type of hackles I like using so going to buy a cape (or saddle, not sure the correct reference?) and was hoping to get some advice so I get the right one...the hackles I use most are the long ones with thin/short barbs for tying patterns such as spiders and crunchers on sizes 12, 14, 16 hooks, and also for palmering through flies, what I be right in thinking that the neck would give me the most of these types of hackle?

Cheers, Jon

[arkle]

A neck or cape will supply you with a wide size range, a genetic one will often be better quality than most Indian/Chinese ones. If you go down the non-genetic route, Indian capes sound as if they're going to offer you a better bet. Genetic capes will offer you many more & better hackles, but at a price. Some dealers offer 1/2 or 1/4 genetic capes & you can buy packs of genetic saddle feathers, these are very good indeed, however are on the whole, quite size specific.