In previous Tying articles you have seen it advocated that you keep your scissors in your hand
at all times, ready to cut and trim threads and errant materials. This is excellent advice, and under
most circumstances should be followed.
But, as we all know there are exceptions to every rule, this is no exception.
Under certain conditions we must put our scissors down in order to complete an operation. A hand
whip finish fir example is more easily done without trying to hold the scissors in the hand while executing it.
I a previous article we discussed some of the little things which can be learned simply by observing
our fellow fly tiers. This week we have Dan Rupert, AKA "Old Rupe" to thank once again.
It seems that like many of us he has gone through the stage where having set his tools aside to
free his hands for a particular operation, and attempting to regain them, has spent many wasted
minutes searching for them.
Now most tiers benches will contain feather parts, thread clippings and all manner of scrap. It is
all too easy for a pair of scissors to hide in all of this debris.
Dan uses another of the items we have discussed previously to solve this problem. He attached
a small magnet to one of the adjustment screws on his vise and when he needs to park his scissors
he just places the scissors on the magnet.
This prevents their loss in the junk on the bench and saves all of that time we spend searching for them.
Every tier can benefit from this simple hint. Your vice type does not matter; they all have a steel part
where the magnet can be positioned. You tying scissors, while most are touted to be of stainless steel,
which will not attach to a magnet, usually are not pure enough not to stick to the magnet.
Save yourself some time and a lot of aggravation, hang your scissors on a magnet when they are
not in your hand.
A side benefit is the fact that doing this will magnetize your scissors. This in turn will allow
you to pick up hooks with them. A very neat trick especially when the hooks are tiny!
If you have any tips or techniques, send them along, most of this
material has been stolen from somebody, might as well steal your ideas
too! ~ George E. Emanuel
(Chat Room Host Muddler)
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