Professional Tying - Setting Up

[hap]

Things have changed considerably since the Darbees were tying...

To tie Adams commercially today I would use cree saddles, wings would still be grizzly.

The Darbees did not have the luxury of 14" saddles with very little taper and high barb count. The difference in tying speed is huge.

Dubbing just sits as one big ball until needed, often held cupped in the left hand.

Steps are always done the same way every time and that sets up a rhythm. Count thread wraps and try to reduce them as much as possible. For example, the wings take three wraps to hold them down, two side by side and the third between them. Then two wraps in front of the lifted wings with a third on top and angled back around the third wrap on the back side. The extra "edge" the third wrap (behind the wing) creates is enough to hold the thread wrap. A pair of turns between the wings and they are flared and the wings are in place with just 8 wraps of thread.

Every step has to be broken down this way...

[Byron haugh]

I agre Hap. Many years ago, when most all of us used necks (which weren't the best), I used to take the feathers off and put them in zip lock bags with the size noted. Not sure it really saved a great deal of time................

The other thing is this. If speed is that important, you have to count your preparation time as well. Not sure, in the end, if a great deal of time is saved.

I think Hap's explanation of tying in rhythm with the same number of wraps, etc., etc. is the best way to speed up the tying process.

A simple habit like keeping your scissors in hand the whole time saves time. Reaching for tools wastes time.

I took an all-day tying class from Jack Dennis many years ago. He is famous for tying deer hair patterns. He had an entire deer skin draped over his lap while he tied and could then select the most appropriate hair from the skin for differing patterns. Sort of extreme, but that is what he did. Scissors never left his hand either.