Whip finisher or Ball point penn

What is the difference in the two.By that I mean, by wrapping the string around the penn base three times is that not the same thing?(as a whip finisher). would like your opinion.

Thanks, john

John,

A whip finish with 3 turns puts the tag of the thread under 3 adjacent turns. If you place 3 half hitches, of ball pen, you get the tag under 1 turn 3 times. With the whip finish the tag is more secure and protected.

I'm sure someone can explain it better.

Allan

I am in complete agreement with tyflies. With a half-hitch, the main reason for taking a few turns around the tool is that it does (IMHO) help tighten the knot; however, the fact remains that the tag is under only one turn of thread.

Personally, I use a whip-knot where ever possible. I use the half-hitch tool it seems to me only when tying off a parachute fly as it is a bit easier (for me) to slide the knot around the shank and under the protruding hackle.

(I think tyeflies means that if you place three wraps around the half-hitch tool (I don't think he means if you make 3 half-hitches) you get only the first wrap over the tag)

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Peter F [url=http://www.fishingwithflies.com:47d32]www.fishingwithflies.com[/url:47d32]
pfrailey@hotmail.com



[This message has been edited by Peter F (edited 13 April 2005).]

Thanks for reply, I always wondered about that. John

I will add a half hitch when changing materials on a pattern. When I am done tying the fly I use about 3-4 wraps with a whip finisher. I have yet to have a whip finished fly fall apart, can't say the same for single consecutive half-hitch flies though.

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Let it go and let it grow.

http://www.members.shaw.ca/brooky/im...anim_brook.gif

JAd,

Learn to whip finish, and half hitch by hand.

There are some good videos on this, it is a little tough to learn but will make you much faster (don't have to pick up a tool).

I also feel that I can control thread placement much better when whip finishing by hand.

tightlines
baldmidge

my fingernails snag too much for me to whip finish by hand, thats the main reason I use a tool. That and some superglue and it ain't goin' nowhere http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif

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RRhyne56
[url=http://www.robinscustomleadersandflies.com:cb3a7]http://www.robinscustomleadersandflies.com[/url:cb3a7]
IM = robinrhyne@hotmail.com

I like the whip finish, probably because it's automatic by now. A three turn whip finish takes about a second, and is so secure you don't need to glue the head on dry flies for fishing. I've fished a lot of dries over the years, and they never come apart, and I rarely do more than a 3 turn whip finish. Of course, I lose them in trees and in fish long before they really have much of a chance to come apart, but it really does seem very secure.
Eric