I have this set of Dr. Slick’s Jumbo Half hitch tools. They originally looked nicer to use than some of the other tools. They won’t roll on the desk, a little larger to grab, BUT where the body of the tool meets the tapered section of the half hitch tool there is a crack between the two sections and my thread always goes into that crack between the aluminum body and the brass colored head. So is it my technique or does the tool suck? Thanks for the imput from a frustrated tying who most of the time uses a Martelli style whip finisher with no problems but sometimes a quick half hit is nice to be able to do. Yes, I know that there are many other tools, can even use the body of a pen, but I want to know how to use this tool set the proper way and could use a push in the right direction.
The half hitch tools I have seen and used are one solid piece and don’t have the separation between the tip and the body. Looking closely, I think I would experience the same problem you are having. I think the only way to eliminate the problem is to seal the gap. I wish I could add a more positive note. Sorry.
I think I would have the same problem. One piece of advise I would offer is to learn the half hitch without any tools. I use a tool for whip finish but never for half hitch. I can tie a whip finish with my fingers but just find it easier with the tool. Half hitches, I find the tools a pain in the rear and just tie it by hand.
I have always thought the Dr. Slick Jumbo half hitch tools were too big – too much taper to be really useful – the brass ends should be longer. I think I would have the same problem you have. In general, great quality tools, but I think this design was an oversight.
I thinkl the correct procedure to eliminate the problem is to wrap the thread on the brass portion of the tool rather than bring it over the gap. The brass portion appears to large enough to permit this.
Thanks for all of the tips and comments. JC, so I need an instruction manual? HA
As Rainbochaser suggested, I tried to wrap the thread just on the tip and not up onto the body. The taper is too sharp for me to do this efficiently. As a previous poster mentioned most of these tool have a nice gradual taper and work well. I have used other tools to do a half hitch with no problem. I was just looking for ideas on these Dr. Slick tools.
I like the four different size hatch hitch holes on the four ends for different size hooks. I like that they don’t roll on the table top that I am working on, but they just don’t do what I need them to do.
Instead of using these tools, I have been tying a half hitch with my fingers, but then I usually grab a bodkin to finish the half hitch and get better control of the thread and where it lands. I don’t use a half hitch to finish the fly head, always a whip finisher. I do use a half hitch with my rotary vise before I place my bobbin in the bobbin craddle and start to spin any material on the hook. This is the application where I wanted a quicker way to use these tool. Like some have suggested, it works better to use an old pen than the $11 tool set.
While JC was probably pulling my leg about asking for an owner’s manual. I think that I will call them and ask if I can return them because I am not satisfied with their performance. I will give some feedback on what happens with that.
I would tend to agree with the critics of these tools. The design appears to be fundamentally flawed. I’m a bit surprised because Dr. Slick tools are usually some of my favorites. Get a set of the simple brass tools as duckster suggestions. You should be able to find for less than $5 for a set of 3. While you can half-hitch without a tool, there are advantages to having one, just like there are advantages to have a Matarelli whip finisher as well.
I’m a bit surprised, as far as I can see the tool seems to be a very strange design for that task - not what I would expect from Dr Slick? It would be worth asking the question of them, but I think another tool might be easier. To those detractors of half hitch tools, they can be very useful when finishing off heads crowded with hair or feathers. The tyer can choose whether to use a modified piece of plastic ot a nicely crafted tool, either will do the same job.
I have a Matarelli half hitch tool from a 100 years ago that looks identical to the tools Duck posted a link to. I’d buy those in a heartbeat and send the Slicks back.
I think you’ll be very happy with the customer service from Dr. Slick. I once sent back some pliers hassle free and got some freebies in the process. They are a great company to do business with but those half hitch tools need a little redesign IMHO.
Let us know if you get an answer too.