39 thoughts on “whip finish – fly tying for beginners”

  1. @killat0r says:

    Sheesh… First off, more than half of the video is talking about pointless stuff. Then when you get to the point, you can't see anything cuz your hand is in the way lol…. get to the pointttttttttt!

  2. @xBarbaricDuck says:

    Interesting – I almost always use my fingers to complete a whip finish though they're not quite as supple as they once were. However some tyers prefer to use a tool hence the video.

  3. @alanbithell4587 says:

    As many have said an excellent explanation. Clear and concise. Some people have asked for negatives of this method. Listing these is not any critisisum of this video. They are simply why I do it with my fingers.
    I’ve never lost my fingers in the clutter on my desk, nor dropped them on the floor. Fingers on the thread gives more immediate feedback than any tool. I do not have to buy and pay for a whip finish tool. If I break my thread and have only an inch and a half left (It will happen to you) I can then do a single finger whip finish.
    There is one thing to add to this video. Each time you take your thread around the hook shank while tying you add half a turn of twist to the thread. All this twist can manifest itself in a little twisted knot as you tighten the whip finish. Or you can keep a dubbing needle or the hook of the tool in the loop in till it is fully tight. If you do this the turns of your whip finish only tighten down on the ā€œroped upā€ twisted thread. When you trim off your thread all that twist will fall out of the cut. Leaving your whip finish loose. The fibres will then work their way out of the whipping. To avoid this un-spin the thread by spinning your bobbin holder. If you are unsure which way let it hang for a moment and it will show you. This gives a tighter whip finish with any tool or fingers.

  4. @AlexTurnbull-z9x says:

    Nice video!
    Just happened to notice the scissors you used to trim the thread, they look very sharp and come to a fine point, just wondering what the scissors are since I’m looking for a nice pair.
    I also like your whip finisher, is it an original materelli or just a replica/copy, if so where did you get it from? If you don’t mind šŸ™‚
    Thanks, Alex

  5. @lostinthewildsbc says:

    Ouch. Whip finish should instead be tied forward from the back of the hook towards the eye. To see why, scale up with small diameter rope/string on a broom handle … s/b readily apparent why. This tutorial, well intentioned, promoting a bad habit?

  6. @relapsetackle says:

    Great video. Hope you're in good health. I see it's been 10 years since you've posted your 1st video. Wish you had more available because your step by step process was great and easy to follow.

  7. @BloodRose-75 says:

    Thank you for showing this, i got that exact tieoff tool as a present recently and didn't know how to properly use it (I'm used to an older version that im borrowing, it's very bendy and has a spring like part to it)

  8. @craigdylan3953 says:

    You can also use a looped piece of thread, bind over that, and pull the end through. I'm not a fan of extras in my tying. Scissors, a good Regal vise, and decent ingredients. Whip Finishers? Not really a thing most people would need if they took a five minute lesson. IMHO

  9. @craigdylan3953 says:

    The best way and quickest is to use your right and and two fingers! Watch someone who knows, and you don't need ANY hardware like this. The single hand method is, was, and will be used by pro fly tiers. It is simple, accurate, and incredibly simple. Check out and old timer, or someone who knows how to do it. As far as this whip finisher, it's ok, but not needed. Who taught me? Al Brewster, Art Flick, Joe Bates. Is that good enough for you experts out there?

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