when tying does all thread need to be waxed for all flies?
No. I prefer Unwaxed myself.
No you do not need to use wax. Some tyers use wax to aid in the dubbing process. Basically it helps the dubbing to stick to the thread. You can also use water as a substitue to using wax. I know a tyer who use unwaxed thread and has no problem getting the dubbing to adhere to the thread. There may be other reasons why wax is applied, but I cannot think of them offhand.
Lately I’ve been using a lot of Pearsall’s tying silks and it should be waxed, especially to achieve the color the old timers sought.
In using regular thread, I prefer some lightly waxed. it seems to hold some materials (like elk hair for wings) better than unwaxed thread.
I use dubbing wax (I prefer BT’s Dubbing Wax) when touch dubbing, but usually go without wax the rest of the time.
REE
I have read somewhere that the waxed thread can also clog up your bobbin holders tube. Can anyone verify that one?
I tend to steer clear of waxed thread for that reason, and only use a little wax that my sister bought for heavy dubbing - like when you need a fat body, etc…
Jeanne
Yep that can happen although I can’t remember the last time I had to unclog a bobbin. Maybe that’s because I now have WAY too many bobbins and no single bobbin gets all the use.
I have a Matterelli bobbin threader which has a bobbin threader on one end and a bobbin tube cleaner on the other. The bobbin cleaner is basically just a length of thin stiff wire that is pushed through. I like waxed thread for the aforementioned reasons and because I feel it frays less and behaves better. The wax really only accumulates at the bottom of the tube and I never found it to be an issue worthy of concern.
IN GENERAL my answer would be YES. Tying wax is different than dubbing wax and I’m speaking of tying wax. It protects the thread, allows the thread to better adhere to the hook, protects the hook and helps keep the materials in place.
Deezel
Jeanne, you can clean out a bobbin that has “waxy build-up” by running a small feather through the tube… not a problem
Jeanne,
I can definately verify that one. I had one opr two bobbins so one was getting most of the use and it got so clogged up with wax before I realized that I could no longer thread the bobbin! It also left a funny color on my white thread, It was so stuck on it took quite a while to clean out!
That is probably an extreme case though, I have had this one bobbin for 2 years and had been using it constantly without cleaning it. I think the bobbin is just about out of life though, it is wearing a thread groove and the gold band at the top where the arms meet the tube is actually worn through from so much use. It is not a ceramic though.
I definately didn’t know that tying wax was different from dubbing wax, in fact i didn’t realise that there was a tying wax that was different to dubbing wax.
that’s what is so interesting about fly tying, you never stop learning about things. Great stuff!!
Thank you everyone
Jeanne
There are three reasons why wax was used in fly tying.
To preserve silk threads.
To help grip the snelled gut or horse hair on blind hooks
To change the colour of the thread.
Mostly I use modern synthetic threads that don’t rot. No need for reason one, unless I’m using Pearsalls. In that case I will wax.
I mostly tie on eyed hooks so the second reason is out.
Modern threads are available in so many colours I don’t need to change the colour I just use the right colour of thread.
As for using wax for dubbing. Well yes it does help the dubbing stick to the thread. However when forming a dubbing noodle the dubbing doesn’t attach to the thread! It sticks to itself. I can understand using it for touch dubbing. Otherwise I never use wax.
Cheers
Alan.
I use mostly uni-thread, and prefer the unwaxed to the waxed version. I think the waxed may assist with holding the whip finish, but that is about the only benefit I see in the flies I tie. Unfortunately, unwaxed uni is a lot harder to find than waxed, so most of my thread IS waxed.
I use wax sometimes to help hold dubbing to the thread. After I had finished a batch of flies and the fly head cement had dried, I used to rub a little parafin on the heads and rub it in with my fingers to give a nice shine and even texture. When I did this in college, my tying and fishing buddies had never seen it before and admitted that it was a nice touch. I haven’t done it in years, though.
Ed
I have a few materials that I have a hard time getting to stay on the thread.For those I will use a little dubbing wax, but that does not happen often.
Rick
Alan B,
I’m probably mistaken but I believe there’s a 4th reason for tying wax. It waterproofs the bare hook shank that it covers so the hooks won’t rust under the body. Also, I’d add to your #2 that it helps grip materials.
Now this may not be important with presentation or non-fished flies. However, flies that are fished may develop a rust weakened spot if it was not dried properly and it was used again. Also, I’ve had, and I don’t think I’m alone, some boxes of flies fall into the water and had to dry the flies out. Rusting was a concern to me. This may not happen often but why chance it. I mean, other than a clogged bobbin, which can be cleaned in a snap, what is the downside of applying ‘tying’ wax or using a pre-waxed thread?
edited, PS - A clogged bobbin can be cleaned with a hot long needle or some stiff 30# test mono
Deezel
thanx for all this info about the thread and wax guys, it is interesting as well as being a good thing to learn about and know.
Jeanne