I have tried many dubbing twisting tools. Have found several that work for me, but never completely happy with one.
I see Kelly Galloup now offers one which is basically the “sheperd’s tool” design.
Was trying to post a photo of it, but having trouble doing so this morning.
As I use weighted base vise’s, as opposed to C-Clamp, I need one that is fairly short.
Anyone use Galloup’s tool??
Either Dynaking Spin Master or a wire clip. Have tried most of the ones on the market, and the Cal Bird style tools (i.e. shepherd’s crook) are my least favorite.
I use a sharpie felt tip marker for dubbing loops … i slip the cap clip into the dubbing loop to hold the loop open when i am adding materials and use rotary hackle pliers to to twist up and wrap the the dubbing . it works for me and i always have these in my kit, but then i tend to be a minimalist
I’m a split-thread dubbing looper so I seldom use a dubbing spinner. If I do use one for a larger fly, it is Cal Byrd’s Shepard’s Tool.
Joe
Funny that you mention the Dyna King tool. I have one somewhere and cannot seem to find it. Guess I need to clean up and re-discover items buried in my tying messes. The thing I liked about that one was that it works well with the shorter height of a vise on a base v. C_clamp.
I’ve used several different tools, but I usually reach for my Cal Bird dubbing tool. I think they were originally made by Frank Matarelli, but Dr. Slick makes a fairly close copy.
I’m with the Dyna King camp. I met Larry Walker years ago and he showed me his dubbing tool and it is my second favorite tool.
I don’t remember where I got this or who made it, but I have been using it for at least 43 years…
PT/TB
Cal Bird and sinker…also note the shaft for easy spinning
Great idea Duck
Ditto. I generally use split thread on smaller applications. For coarse materials on larger flies, it’s often in a loop with Cal’s dubbing tool. Sometimes on the Norvise.
I picked up a Walker’s Dubbit tool several years after I began tying. Looked like the specialized gizmo I needed for tying those big stonefly nymphs. I understand some folks really like the Dubbit, but not me. The lightweight wood base makes no sense.
Seems like the general design of a sheperd’s tool is pretty popular.
Byron, I have one of the Kelly Galloup hooks and like it fine… I do use the split thread method a lot but like this tool best for loops. Doug.
Thanks Doug,
I will be staying at his Slide Inn next month and intend to pick one up at that time.
I like the idea of the bodkin at the other end of the tool.
I use a standard Sheppards hook as posted by Jay.
