Fly tying tool questions

[flybop]

I would really appreciate any feedback here. I have been making bodkins out of driftwood and cedar this past winter and I have a question for you guys. How long do you prefer the needle of your bodkin to be? Do you have more than one bodkin with different length needles that you use for diferent applications?

Thanks for any input. I have a new batch almost ready to be shipped to a couple fly shops, all that is left is to epoxy the needles in, and want to get them right.

[Otis28]

Hi Flybop,

Nice looking bodkins. I only have one and it has a 2 3/4" needle on it.

Otis28

[sixfinger]

:hmmm:

[Daryle Holmstrom]

:hmmm:

Ad? What's a bodkin? Haven't used one for years.

[Steven Green]

http://www.fjratchford.co.uk/img2/Bodkin.jpg

I think it is one of these, but maybe with a sharp curve at the top for cutting thread?

[Daryle Holmstrom]

that looks like an ice pick:beathead:0n steriods

[Tim Cottage]

I use one bodkin for everything. A 2 1/2" - 3" needle is about right

TC

[flybop]

Thanks for the input. It looks like that the prefered legnth is 2 1/2 to 3". I'll
'' just make up a special batch for this shop.

[sixfinger]

Ad? What's a bodkin? Haven't used one for years.

I think its something people use to place sublte ads. Not really sure though :). Geez this thread has really become ambigous though.

[Steven Green]

that looks like an ice pick:beathead:0n steriods

The dictionary basically says Its a sewing needle on steroids used to pull thread/elastic/ribbon ect. through leather or other tough material. So I don't know what the fly tying bodkin mght be....:confused:


All I know is I don't need one :thumb:

[Daryle Holmstrom]

I think Chris will edit this post as an illegal ad.

[Daryle Holmstrom]

Where in the world is Momtana anyway Flybop if you don't mind?

[flybop]

First, this is not an ad, subtle, hidden or any other way. I had been looking around this site for quite a while with the intent of learning about about the waters in your part of the world. The reason I asked this question here is that there appears to be many more fly tyers here than on other sites that I frequent. For what it is worth, I am going to finish a small order for a shop and then that is it for the bodkin making. Making them was a time killer for the winter. BTW, thank you for pointing out the stupid way that I spelled Montana.

[Daryle Holmstrom]

First, this is not an ad, subtle, hidden or any other way. I had been looking around this site for quite a while with the intent of learning about about the waters in your part of the world. The reason I asked this question here is that there appears to be many more fly tyers here than on other sites that I frequent. For what it is worth, I am going to finish a small order for a shop and then that is it for the bodkin making. Making them was a time killer for the winter. BTW, thank you for pointing out the stupid way that I spelled Montana.

OK, I'm sorry if I accused this as an ad. My bad

Daryle

[flybop]

No problem Daryle, as a newbie here I guess it could have looked that way. This whole thing started when I made a few for gifts. A buddy back east showed his to a friend who worked at a fly shop and that shop wanted some to sell. The bottom line is it takes me more time to make one than it is worth to try to make any money on them, especially with the guide season getting close.
If I did try to make these to sell I would make less per hour than I would if I tried to tie flies comercially. I am a sloooow tier.

[Steven Green]

I still don't know how the hell a bodkin is used for fly tying.

[Preston]

Bodkins are used for a myriad of purposes in fly tying. I use mine for applying head cement, picking out dubbing, to keep the tying thread from knotting while tightening up a hand-whipped finish on the head, clearing the eye of head cement, and any time it's necessary to manipulate materials in a tight area. Bodkins can be as simple as a needle stuck in the end of a wine-bottle cork or one of many more expensive configurations. Harry Lemire uses one with a handle made from a short, hexagonal section cut from a bamboo rod (which has the further advantage of not rolling when laid on the bench).

[Daryle Holmstrom]

Bodkins are used for a myriad of purposes in fly tying. I use mine for applying head cement, picking out dubbing, to keep the tying thread from knotting while tightening up a hand-whipped finish on the head, clearing the eye of head cement, and any time it's necessary to manipulate materials in a tight area. Bodkins can be as simple as a needle stuck in the end of a wine-bottle cork or one of many more expensive configurations. Harry Lemire uses one with a handle made from a short, hexagonal section cut from a bamboo rod (which has the further advantage of not rolling when laid on the bench).

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/board/showthread.php?t=47064

hopefully not from this one:thumb:

[Daryle Holmstrom]

It was this one. Oh well

[Battenkill Bill]

Some guys are way too picky. Great bodkins!