40th birthday gift, i want the best tools money can buy.

[philip smith]

Fairly new to the fly tying scene only been at it about 6 months and still using borrowed tools to tie with

Its my 40th next month and the family are asking what i want as a gift. So i don't have them waste their hard earned on something i don't want or need i thought some really nice top quality tying stuff would be a good idea, something i can look after and use for many years to come.
I have a dyno-king vice already so just need a full set of the usual tools
Bobbin holder, scissors, whip finish tool, hackle pliers, dubbing brush etc.

Money no object (that is assuming no one makes gold ones) what should i ask them to get and where is it best to mail order from. Not after stuff that just looks good, it needs to work well and last. Also it dosn't need to be a matching set in a case, just after the best, who ever its made by.

I realise this is like asking what is the best car you can buy, some will say a Ferrari while others will say a Rolls and any one with any sense will say its a Bentley. But i really don't know much about the various makes (I have read on here to avoid Stonefly stuff so shall be) so any help is good help

Thanks

Phil

[shuck raider]

The Petitjean kit is nice, retailed by Veniard. Some ideas & prices here

[Spider]

Philip, I'm not sure that there is a maker of a particular line of top flite studd. C+F make pricey tying gear and may be good , or not. I think a browse in the catalogues will show that a lot of bobbin holders etc are much of a muchness, at roughly similar prices.

[hiyabarney]

Orvis do a set of tools in a leather tool roll check out one of their shops, everything together inc whip finish,scissors, tweezers etc.

Martin..

[ruby pennel595664]

Stone fly do a boxed set of fly tying tools which look very nice. AVOID THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE> They are fragile and not fit for purpose.

I have just used veniards stuff and got along with them fine the tools are reasonably priced and robust.

If you look in the Sportsfish catalogue or on the website there are different sets of tools or individual items listed which should give you some ideas as to what you want. If you order from Sportsfish their service is usually excellent but if you shop around elsewhere I am sure you could find the same items a fair bit cheaper.

[Spider]

Originally Posted by hiyabarney

Orvis do a set of tools in a leather tool roll check out one of their shops, everything together inc whip finish,scissors, tweezers etc.

Martin..

I was wondering where the lovely leather roll came from that ollie Edwards and others have .........

[hareslug]

C&F tools get my vote the tools are excellent never broke my thread with the bobbin holder

[guest15]

The most expensive does not mean the best! bobbin holders & scissors are the ones you will spend the most on, the rest of the tools you can get quite cheap for decent ones, hackle pliers are a nightmare, ive had loads and loads and the j dorin are the best! and cheap keep away from tool kits because one company may make cracking bobbin holders but rubbish scissors, mix n match is the best way to go, here are the ones i would buy (the ones i use)

Tiemco heavyweight bobbin holder - the best imo

http://www.lakelandflytying.com/1965...ic_Bobbin.aspx

J Dorins hackle pliers - the best imo

http://www.lakelandflytying.com/2111...le_Pliers.aspx

Ken Newton dubbing twister - the best imo

http://www.lakelandflytying.com/2103...g_Twister.aspx

Anvil scissors - love mine and they are like razors!

http://www.lakelandflytying.com/39/Scissors.aspx

[Beacon Beige]

Originally Posted by hareslug

C&F tools get my vote the tools are excellent never broke my thread with the bobbin holder

Have to agree good for the money.

Col

[arkle]

As you don't like the idea of "presentation" tools then don't bother taking a look at www.flytyingtools.com

The Renzetti range is quite good, if a little overpriced in some cases, these & others can be seen on www.lakelandflytying.com Phil Holding has a new range of tools due in soon on www.flytyingboutique.co.uk haven't seen 'em yet though. It depends on the type of flies you'll be tying rather than the make of tools you think you want & those you actually need.

There is a "designer" bobbin holder called "Ekich" seen on www.automaticbobbin.com

If you need a vice then either Renzetti, Dyna-king (my choice, after 40+ years ting exp.) or the LAW as seen on www.danica.com - but there is quite a wait involved !

Some of the Mark P. tools are excellent, but avoid the vice at all costs, the same applies to the C & F vice, they're both over-fussy, over-engineered & grossly over-priced.

You may well be better off spending more money on materials to start with, that way you'll gain confidence in handling them & finding the best tools to suit you. An Aston Martin is a fabulous car, doubtless there are better but would you buy one to go to the shops in ?