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Thread: What's your favorite bobbin

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    White Bear Lake, MN,USA
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    11

    Default What's your favorite bobbin

    I, like most tyers have used a number of bobbins over the years. Recently I have started using the Tiemco curved black ceramic tube bobbin. I like it very much. Minimal thread breakage, little wax buildup and it feels good in my hand.

    What is your opinion? What bobbin do you use and why?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2001
    Location
    Amstelveen, The Netherlands
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    1,188

    Default

    iceman,

    I have and use several kinds of bobbin holders, but really have no clear favorite. They do, however, all have aspects I like, and aspects which I feel can be improved upon.

    J. Dorin easy-thread
    + Ease of threading. Simply excellent idea.
    + No wax buildup problem
    + Spins without wobble
    - Could do with a bit more weight
    - Disappeared off the market some 20-25 years back

    (Note: Wishbone are marketing a bobbin holder now which is a clone of the J. Dorin design)

    Matarelli
    + the de-facto bobbin holder for many a year
    + very durable
    - threading can be a bit tedious
    - suseptible to wax buildup

    Curved Tiemco ceramic tube
    + very smooth
    + very durable
    + the bent arms reduce the likelyhood of wax buildup
    - wobbles when spinning the thread

    Rite
    + very smooth, adjustable tension
    - bit fragile build
    - does not handle all brand spools equally well
    - wobbles when spinning the thread
    - somewhat suseptible to wax buildup

    Cheers,
    Hans W


    ------------------
    === You have a friend in Low Places ===
    http://www.danica.com/flytier
    ===================== You have a Friend in Low Places ======================
    Hans Weilenmann, The Netherlands
    http://www.flytierspage.com
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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    New York
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    Default

    I have been using Matarelli bobbins exclusively for my entire fly tying career. I keep several of them set up with my most commonly used thread colors so I don't have to bother with threading them most of the time. When I do have to thread one, I just use the Materelli threader which also has a thingie that allows you to clear out the wax. No problem. I have never used any of the others so I really can't compare. I like the fact that I can adjust the tension on them to anything I wan't. (They usually come with the tension too tight when you buy them, by the way.) The Matarelli works for me and I admire the quality of the Matarelli tools in general.

    [This message has been edited by gadabout (edited 23 February 2005).]

  4. #4
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    I would love to try one of those, jc.
    unfortunately, I'd have to pay for it, and it's price makes that out of the question.

    I like the tiemco professional bobbin holder (also not cheap, btw).

    mgj

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2001
    Location
    Amstelveen, The Netherlands
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    1,188

    Default

    JC,

    I have had some correspondence with Faruk on the bobbin design and it sounded like a fine tool. At the recent Somerset show I had a play with one, as the tier next to me owned one. Feels good, works fine and as advertised. There is a slight wobble on spin but not overly so. Fine tool, but at a premium price.

    Would I be prepared to buy one at the price: I _may_ do between now and 'later', but then I am a gadget person where it concerns my tying addiction. Note I said 'one'. For my tying I would not be happy with a single bobbin holder, with the various sizes and colors of thread I use, regardless how fine a tool the Ekich bobbin holder is. The chances of me owning a 'fleet' of them are pretty slim and remote as things stand

    Cheers,
    Hans W


    ------------------
    === You have a friend in Low Places ===
    http://www.danica.com/flytier
    ===================== You have a Friend in Low Places ======================
    Hans Weilenmann, The Netherlands
    http://www.flytierspage.com
    ================================================== ==============

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Central Nevada
    Posts
    586

    Default

    I really like the Ekich Bobbin the best. Second best I like the Tiemco and then the Rite and then the other assorted brands and types all get used too. They all work for me in one way or another.

    The reasons I find the Ekich so handy is that it speeds up my tying. It allows one to reverse a wrap under complete control. It takes out slack for you. It holds tension for you. It will help you in tying hitches by cinching them up for you. It is truley automatic. It feels comfy in the hand.

    I like the way the Tiemcos are built and how they fit in your hand too. I like the tension adjustments on the Rite Bobbins.

    What I hate doing is gaining back thread by running my thumb all of the time. The Ekich takes care of that for me.

    Rich

  7. #7

    Default

    Griffin ceramics and I have lots of them-----sometimes I use 15 at a time.
    Tyng with kids

    ------------------

    Bill

  8. #8

    Default

    For years I used Tiemco curved ceramic bobbins and Rite bobbins and I still do, but my go to bobbin the past year or so is the Automatic Bobbin by Nor Vise. I just love the way it automatically takes up slack. My nephew gave them to me for Christmas.
    Trout don't speak Latin.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Euless, Texas, USA
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    166

    Default

    I like the griffin ceramic in saltwater length for everything size 14 and up.

    For smaller stuff I like the renzetti midge size saltwater length. It has a synthetic ruby insert in the tip to protect the thread. The thin tip will go through the gap of hooks all the way down to size 18. The feet are teflon and allow the spool to glide very smoothly, but you can still increase tension by squeezing the whole thing. I wouldn't dare use another bobbin with 10/0 thread.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    McMinnville, OR, USA
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    853

    Default

    I had almost forgotten about the J. Dorin bobbin. It was my first bobbin (bobbin-holder). No threader or bobbin sucking needed with it.

    My current favorite is the Tiemco straight ceramic.

    Jay

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