Years ago, I grew tired of trying to thread the “regular” type of Bobbin where you either need a threading tool or you have to suck the thread up through the tube.
This bobbin has a “mini” throat up near the end. I have posted a photo, but guess you have to look closely to see what I mean. I won’t go back to the old type. This one is a “DJ”. Not sure that company still makes them, but I did find a new version similar to it.
As long at it works, why not? The one pictured looks like an antique, and the fit and finish seem to be better than most of what’s out there today. Cool old tools are great!
That being said, I don’t have any trouble with ANY of the many bobbins out there, and I pretty much use them interchangeably. As anyone here knows, I suck a lot, so threading the ‘regular’ tube type bobbins has never been an issue for me.
Don’t have one of the fancy retractable ones, though. One thing I’m looking forward to trying one of these days.
I had a bobbin like that 30 years ago. it was made by J. Dorin. It worked just fine for me and yes it was very easy to thread. I’m not sure what happened to mine. I probably have it somewhere. A couple of years ago I think I saw where somebody was going to start making them again.
I keep threatening my self to try one of the Petitjean bobbins, but even at wholesale they are high. I do have a few of the auto bobbins from Norm Norlander and like them a lot if I am doing things that I need the auto draw back. I have a load of spools for them too, but hate changing it so that is why I have more than one. At least with 4 I can keep what I use most already ready to go.
Of course these tow kinds of bobbins are for different uses with the one that is easy to thread and the one for auto pull back which is really helpful if your doing dubbed bodies on a Nor-Vise. Now though with rope dub method which will take the place of some dubbing for me that I would usually do on my Nor-vise.
There is also a new bobbin like the Rite and it’s made by Stonfo, but i have not had one in my hand yet. It’s called a Disc Drag Bobbin.
I have a C & F Design bobbin I like, however, it has a foam “gasket” that you have to thread your thread through the ceramic tube. Requires their threader which I have lost somewhere and they cost $11.
i have 1/2 a dozen Griffin “pee wee” ceramics for regular thread… and a Rite for the 14/0, a Wasatch for silk and i would not use anything else because if it ain’t broke…
the c&f bobbin holder may come supplied with a threader but i dont believe it is a requirement to use only that one. bending a length of copper wire in half will work equally as well as the supplied threader.
Hahaha… I wouldn’t have put it quite that way but that wouldn’t work for me either… although I’ve used many that is not one I would even try… I am now using the Pettijean bobbin and the Rite bobbin for whip finishing… they both work well for me…
I got a bunch of the Griffin ‘Pee Wee’ bobbins also. Got hooked on that “economy of motion” thing, that I believe(?) A. K. Best recommended in his book - Production Fly Tying. I would consider one of the newer adjustable types for tying with 14/0 though, where you might need fine tension adjustment.
Normand,
Had to LOL at your response about the bobbin threader, only because of the “excessive” use of common sense!! It was one of those, ‘smack yourself on the side of your head and say DUH experiences.’ I have an “official” threader, but if I ever lose it I will go to the bent wire back-up system. Thanks!
I like it, but I’m not quite ready to give up my Tiemco ceramic bobbins. It IS super easy to thread, and gives an added measure of tension on the thread just by pinching tighter. Not a bad tool - just not my favorite. YMMV
