Marc Petitjean Tool Kit No 1 any one using it

[ukmric1]

Anyone using this tool kit have any vies good or bad ?
All comments greatfully received
ATB
Martin

[spidersplus]

Hello Martin,

The tools contained in the set are beautifully engineered but were designed very much for use with the Petitjean CDC plumes ...

Loop clamps - useful for keeping your split thread .. split, when applying materials.

Dubbing Needle - very nice ... a sewing maching needle with a handle.

MP Pliers - just about OK for thick stemed CDC feathers - a la Petitjean CDC but not really much use for hackles - they do not hold thin stems at all well.

MP Twister - well designed but pricey - the Marryat equivalent does the same job at almost half the price if you were buying the tool separately.

Whip Finish Tool - nice again but nowt really special.

Small Scissors - Rubis scissors - sharp but they lose their edge fairly quickly.

Overall, beautifully designed and nice in the hand but ... (Only my own personal view)

Kind regards

[ukmric1]

Phil,
Thanks for the comprehensive reply are the O tools you do any better quality?
or being an Engineer by trade what Im really asking is what are regarded by you guys doing loads of tying the best tools around at the moment.

I am looking to purchase the MP CDC Magic tool if its worth it and some CDC to tye up some more Klinks using CDC instead of conventional hackles.
Any advce or suggestions most welcome.
Martin

[marmalade]

Martin, I can't believe you haven't got an AtH tying kit.. Or at the very least a Marco Polo job from C&F.

The C&F tools are nice. The whip finish tool is excellent, not because it does the world's fanciest whip finish, but because it has a powerful magnet on the end which allows you to pick up individual hooks!

The dubbing tool is out of this world. It does everything except pour you another drink, if you know how to use it. I don't unfortunately.

I've heard great things about the hair stacker, which is more like a magic trick than a fly-tying tool. I don't have any hair, and even if I did I'd want a comb-over tool, not a stacker, but as I say, it has a good reputation.

etc

[ukmric1]

Marmalade,
I do have several of the C&F tools you mention and am very pleased with them, I did have a Marco Polo tools great, vice poor IMHO, It got stolen when working away and had my Hotel room ransacked think they thought it was something else, almost bought another when a few were being discounted to £250 all in but didnt bother as vice was not good for me.

I know of an ATH travel kit but at circa £1k a bit too much for me at this time.

I have the Nor Vise that I am growing fonder of all the time and just wanted opinions on quality tools mainly scissors hackle pliers etc. I do like the boxed sets by MP and the leather cased O tools that Spidersplus does, just wondered what others thought.

In the case of tying, better tools probably wont improve my tying ability but its back to "joys of ownership" and use.

Are you still looking for that Remco as Aaron has some new ones including 50th anniversary.
ATB
Martin

[clydestyle]

i can only sing the kits praises but pricey it is for the dedicted cdc tyer but i have been experimenting and i have found many uses for this kit the dubbin twisteris tops for dubbin loops of practically any dub materials

[guest21]

I have the Petitjean tools and the Marco Polo system.

Phil's summation of the MP tools is spot on - particularly his comments about the 'hackle' pliers ... great for winding CDC plumes ... and that's about it! I don't have the twister though, don't know how that slid under the radar! Must investigate.

I love the Marco Polo set of C&F tools, the sheer convenience of them all contained in a C&F waterproof box has much to recommend it and combined with the Marco Polo carry case for materials a fantastic piece of kit.

I quite like the marco Polo vice - very secure hook hold (same mechanism as the C&F Ultimate Reference vice) - if I had a criticism - it's a touch too short in the stem - but hey, it's a travel vice.

[AndrewMWalker]

Hi Martin,

If you search for the rubus scissors post there was a guy who said he can get the kits half price.

I've bought the Rubus scissors on the web for about £20 delivered. They are lovely, but I've already gone back to my Dr Slicks. The don't have serrations on the blade so don't cut everything that well. As Phil pointed out they seem to loose their edge. I'm glad he mentioned that as I thought it was just me!

C&F stuff is nice. I have their hackle pliers, they work better then the Petitjean one. I also have the petitjean whip finish, I've gone back to a cheap rotary one with a thread cutter on one end, it's listed here for less than a tenner. It simply works better than the Petitjean one. If you want a more expensive version the Dr Slick whip finish tool has a similar style "head", but no cutters.

I love nice gear and it's a shame when it does not quite live up expectations.

Cheers

Andy

[marmalade]

Actually, while on the subject of the C&F whip finish tool, why does the whole tool rotate inside the knurled handle? Am I using it wrong?

And another thing: what are the little spikes on the dubbing spinner?

Martin - I ended up getting a Backwinder. I may well end up with an AtH at some point, but all the permutations and complexity began to make my head spin :-)

[ukmric1]

I have decided to take the plunge and ordered the MP Tool set no:1 Celtic Flycraft were offerring a good deal at £65 + £2.50 postage.
I appreciate all the feedback from other forum members, and take note on the Tools "limitations" I will continue to search for a fantastic set of tools that do a great job and last.
Anyone with any other suggestions of tools I should try post them here.
ATB
Martin