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Fly Tying Vise and Tools
A fly tying vise and tools, along with a few materials, allow you to tie your own flies. You might or might not save money, but you will have a hobby to take you through the long, cold winter. There are dozens of fly tying vises, and hundreds of different tools. In the spirit of tenkara, I've tried to simplify things a bit and will only offer few choices that I think will serve you will.
Fly Tying Vise
The vise I have chosen to carry is the HMH SX pedestal vise. It is very simple but very high quality. I cannot urge strongly enough to buy a good quality vise. A cheap one will just have to be replaced when it no longer holds a hook. This vise is guaranteed for life.
The SX is HMH's newest vise. It is a full rotary vise that is built on a fixed-angle frame, giving much better access to the back of the hook than you'd get with in-line rotating vises. The standard jaws will accommodate any hook you'd want to use for tenkara flies, but you also get the added versatility of the HMH interchangeable jaw system. (I don't carry the HMH Micro or Magnum jaws, but I can special order them on request.)To provide stability when tying flies, the base is very heavy. The vise will be sent via priority mail flat rate box (2-3 day delivery time to US addresses). The domestic shipping charge for the flat rate box is $11.
HMH SX Pedestal Vise - $145 International Priority Flat Rate Box surcharge Canada - additional $21.60 (total shipping charge 32.95) Other countries - additional $36.60 (total shipping charge $47.95)
Fly Tying Tools
For fly tying tools, I have chosen very basic scissors, hackle pliers, bobbin holder and hair stacker. You could go crazy with all the different choices, but these are simple and will serve you well. I have chosen (for now) not to carry a whip finishing tool. I have never used one, and find a hand-tied whip finish to be all I have ever needed.Domestic shipping for the tools is $3. A few will require additional postage for international shipments. No additional postage is required for tools if purchased with the vise. Payment is through Paypal but you don't need to have a Paypal account. You can use your credit card. PayPal payments will be made to chris at tenkarabum dot com. Credit card statements will read CM Stewart.
Dr. Slick all purpose micro tip 4" straight scissors - $19 Dr. Slick all purpose 4" straight scissors - $14
Dr. Slick ceramic bobbin holder 4" - $12
Renzetti ruby tipped midge bobbin holder (standard length) - $23 This is the bobbin holder you'll want to use with the smaller Pearsall's silk thread spools.
Medium English hackle pliers (in the middle). The loop at the back end allows you to make half of the wrap with you left index finger through the loop while you hold the hackle forward and out of the way (for a sakasa kebari), then make the other half - when the vise gets in the way - by inserting your right index finger in the space between the jaws and the loop. No other design is so easy to switch hands with. - $2
I find a bodkin to be indespensible for fly tying. I use it to position the last wrap of my hand-tied whip finish. (When you get to the last wrap, transfer the thread from your finger to the bodkin, which you can position exactly where you want the thread wrap to go, then tighten and slip the thread off the tip of the bodkin.) I also use it to apply head cement because it is much more precise than a brush. I then wipe it clean to use again for the next whip finish.This bodkin also has a hollow tip to use as a half hitch tool. Two tools in one. - $2.50
If you don't tie the CDC & Elk you might not need a hair stacker. If you do, you will. This is the Griffin medium hair stacker (on the right side in the photo). It is about as simple as they come, and just as effective. - $10Additional postage required for international shipments - $1
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