finish whip

[flygoddess]

I am with Saberfish On this one but basically cause I took to the whip tool like a duck to water and for the same reason DR mentioned...ruff hands (I play bass)
It took me about 5 minutes to teach MoJo how to use the tool but once he got it down I went to show him the straw/bodkin tool style. Needless to say, he was now spoiled and said*&%$% this and went back to the whip tool.
There is the one with a spring that is a pain to me.
I prefer:
[inline "whip tool.jpg"]


Here are the two different styles. note the one with spring (Thompson).


[inline whips.jpg]

I do feel that whatever you learn first in fly tying is the one you feel more comfortable and it is like learning all over to learn a different way.
I tie a lot off the cuff (meaning even by the river or lake if I need a particular pattern I don't have) I have even used a Leathermen as a vise with blade stuck in a tree for stability. I can use the fingers, but I am much faster with the Matarelli.


If whatever you choose works, don't fix it.

I think Kelly Galloup, and Davy Watton both use there fingers (at least some times)

FG
[signature]