The Nor, and, I believe, the J vices both have an option of a dubbing table. In those cases the table sits between the vice and the bobbin cradle, at 90 degrees to where that ons sits. They do work in the same way other than that. By working in line with the shank of the hook, not at 90 degrees to it you are applying force in a direction a hook is designed to resist force in. Did you notice that at around the 2:47 point in the first video he straightens the hook in the vice, after it becomes bent out of shape by the force used in twisting the deer hair up? That would not be a problem had the operation been in line. Also I noted his vice position in relation to his body position. I couldn't help thinking of the pain I would suffer over an 8 hour shift at a vice that far away from me. I know you may not tie that much, I do, and with various injuries could not tie with the vice where he has it. Holding your arms up and out from your body in that way for any length of time puts strain on your arms / shoulders / neck.
I did like the heavily modified Dan Vice he was using. I don't know if that is a generally available set of modifications, but it does provide the important access to the rear of the hook that I find is the Dan vice's biggest problem. Another thing he used was some kind of disc that he attached to the rear of the tube when tying the mouse. That gave him a hard surface to wind the twisted deer hair up against. Now if he did those to fit hooks I could feel my hand delving into my pocket. (It wouldn't matter just now though, it would still come out empty!)
For smaller flies I would set the dubbing into the thread. This tool does nothing to facilitate that. Larger flies are where I would use a dubbing loop. My preferred way to handle the material to put it into a dubbing loop is a large bulldog clip. The ones used for sealing bags to put in the freezer are ideal. They come in some really large sizes. This one is about 8 inches long.
For tying mice I grip the deer hair with the clip while still on the skin. Trim the skin away then insert into the dubbing loop. Much less potential for the deer hair to end up all over the place.
Cheers,
A.
Reply With Quote