I came across a subject on the bulletin board at
FAOL, regarding Wax used in tying flies. Hans Weilenmann
knew the person Scott of Boulder was inquiring about.
I contacted him, Marvin Nolte, and he was kind enough to share
the following. ~Parnelli
I make many waxes: tying waxes, dubbing waxes, and finger
waxes, varying the formulas to fit the tier's needs. There
is a definite difference between dubbing wax and tying wax,
and finger wax. Though you can use my tying wax to aid
dubbing procedures, it was designed for other uses. Uses
for which dubbing wax is not suitable.
Before bobbins, tiers waxed a length of thread then commenced
the tying procedure. This waxing prevented the thread from
unwinding if tension was released. My tying wax duplicates
this old cake wax. I use it when tying in hand, and for
certain salmon fly techniques that are facilitated by
laying down an adhesive base. Dubbing wax, while apparently
tacky, is too soft for these applications
This is tying wax, it is easier to apply if warmed slightly.
I keep it in my shirt pocket while tying. Holding it next
to your tying lamp for a few seconds will also work. If
you want a softer wax you can reduce the Rosin and increase
the Castor Oil proportionally. Rosin is what makes this wax
work. If you reduce the Rosin, do so judiciously.
Here is the formula for my Tying Wax. The
percentages are by weight.
Formula 721C
70% Rosin (ordinary violin bow, pitcher's mound, rosin)
20% Beeswax
10% Castor Oil
A Dubbing Wax, should you wish to refill an empty tube.
The percentages are by weight.
Formula 514C
50% Rosin
10% Beeswax
40% Castor Oil
I make a Finger Wax, that has a small but enthusiastic
following. Some folks don't like to put dubbing wax on
their thread but do find dubbing easier if their fingers
are a bit sticky. For them I make the following.
Finger Wax
This is poured into a small tub. A quick wipe, with the
forefinger over the wax, the dubbing is easily and tightly
applied to the thread. ~ Marvin
Thank You Marvin. I for one will be heading out to get
the ingredients, and start making my own Tying, Dubbing,
and Finger Waxes, and using them at the Tying Bench. ~ Parnelli
Please check out the Fly Tying Section, on the
Bulletin Board, on FAOL too.
If you have any questions, tips, or techniques; send them along.
Someone else thought up most of this material before we did,
they just forgot to tell anyone about it. Or else we just
forgot about it, while learning something else. Let us
share with each other, all the things we know!
~ Steven H.
McGarthwaite (Chat Room AKA Parnelli)
|
